Shavuot #3

Three people in Jewish history are particularly associated with Shavuot: Moshe (Moses), King David and the Baal Shem Tov. And these three great leaders are also connected with Moshiach and the Redemption.

As the one through whom the Torah was given, Moshe is intimately connected with Shavuot. (The Torah, in some places, is even referred to as "The Torah of Moshe"). Moshiach will be like Moshe in his leadership qualities, humility and Torah scholarship.

Shavuot is the birthday and anniversary of the passing of King David. One of the functions of Moshiach is that he will restore the David'ic dynasty, for Moshiach will be a descendant of King David, a human king.

Finally, we come to the Baal Shem Tov. The Baal Shem Tov too, passed away on Shavuot. The Baal Shem Tov described a spiritual "journey" when he visited the chamber of Moshiach. He asked Moshiach, "Master, when will you come?"

Moshiach replied, "When your wellsprings - your teachings - will spread forth to the outside."

The Baal Shem Tov's teachings - Chasidut - were recorded and expounded upon by his various disciples. They are a foretaste of the new and deeper revelations of Torah we are promised will be revealed and taught by Moshiach, himself.

This year on Shavuot, when we all Jews, young and old, gather in our synagogues to re-experience the giving of the Torah, let us also reconnect with the essence of the holiday and cry out for the ultimate revelation of the Torah and G-d through Moshiach.