Shavuot and Loving Relationships

There is an article in this week’s Jewish Press written by a Rabbi E. Ziegler about the teachings of the late Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik. A scribe must write a Torah with sanctified intent. It is this process that gives a scroll its inherent holiness. What is it that gives two pages of the Torah, written perhaps at different times, the sacred quality that will allow them to form a Torah scroll. It is this very intent and dedicated work of the scribe. His intention can allow two pages to become, ultimately, a holy scroll.
In similar fashion, it is the dedicated and caring intent of two people in a loving relationship, that can produce a new individual that the Torah refers to as “One flesh”. This is why Jewish marriage is referred to as Kiddushin; i.e. a holy undertaking.
The Book of Ruth is read on Shavuot for many reasons. Perhaps it is because the love between Ruth and Boaz was one of holiness, sharing, and giving. This is the relationship that G-d demands of us as “His people”.
In like fashion, Rabbi Soloveitchik explained that when Eliezer, servant of Abraham, gave Rebecca gifts from Isaac, he gave her a gift eqivalent to the Shekel offering that would later be given. (See Rashi). Rabbi Soloveitchik explained that the Shekel (i.e. half shekel) was a way for Jews to feel that were connected to others. Two people were needed to donate a gift of an entire shekel. So too in marriage, we need to remember that we are only half a person, unless we join up with another.
As we study Torah on Savuot, may we remember the unity of the Jews, who were “as one person” when the Torah was received. This ability to become joined with others is the message of the Torah, which “begins with kindness (the dressing of Adam and Eve) and ends with kindness” (the burial of Moses.)