Thought for the Yom Tov Shavuos Unconditional Trust vs Inspiration, Rabbi Yaakov Winner - 5786

How are you? I hope everyone is I hope everyone is healthy, strong and happy physically and spiritually. Today is as usual we'll start with now then we'll say a prayer probably the most famous prayer in so why did I choose this prayer because it's going to be the focus of today's talk the thought for the festival the Gmorrah says everyone knows that before we receive the Torah the Eden said first we said we will do and then we will hear and there's a famous medish for example that goes around that says that Hashem went to all the nations and offered them to receive the Torah so they should be jealous and they all asked what's in it for me what do I gain out of it. What does it say in the Torah? So, they wanted to first hear the rules and conditions of the contract, so to speak. When they found out what it says there, they said, "Forget it. It's not for us. It's not worth it." etc. When Hashem came to the Eden, what did they say? NASA. They didn't ask any questions about what it says in the contract. They just pledged the loyalty, unlimited loyalty to Hashem and just said whatever it is, we're with you. That's the famous medish and that's the said first they said we will do and then we will hear and that's the meaning. Not like every other nation that first said we will hear. Let's hear what it's about and then we'll decide whether we were in or not. the yidden said we're all in before listening to the conditions. So today is so before we get into the subject I just want to say that by speaking about it then thinking about it right now we know exactly this is what Hashem wants from us there's a m from the last we actually heard from 1989 the he said a discourse which that was a novelty at that time I'm not going to elaborate and he said ais And in that mime and it's printed today mug edited by the rebb the rebb writes the following that when it comes this day because we mentioned this last week that started occupying himself with the that he should be prepared for the which by the way everyone talks about says the time We got the Torah. But there's something called receiving the terra. It's not only enough to talk about the giving of the an act of God, an act of Hashem that he gives us a but we have to speak about the idea of and the blessings of all the leaders of before was you should absorb receive the joyously and inwardly. But the point is that the emphasis on the words receiving it because there's an idea of receiving which means preparation as we also spoke last week. There's how we have to prepare ourselves and then there's how we receive it and how it becomes absorbed and internalized etc. Today is so what comes before the preparation that comes a day before is what the Eden said on that day. And as we spoke last week when we when we plug in to what happened in the original yum then it becomes reactivated and it becomes like a reenactment and we can reach the same heights as the first time. So the reb as I said before actually gives us very clear instructions. This is not like sometimes you haveis which seems very lofty and doesn't usually necessarily come down in a practical way. What am I meant to do? And over here the Reb says that during today which was the day when the said today we're supposed to meditate on this concept. So my friends, by us sharing together this we're actually fulfilling what the Reb says right here, we have to have the proper meditation. proper meditation that brings to action in every single aspect of your service to Hashem. First thing you have to know is you just got to do what Hashem wants from you. Do it. Just do it. Just do it. That's obedience. And afterwards then you should understand it with your intellect. I love it that the Reb puts in the idea of which is like a fundamental in serving Hashem the name of the movement. So after we do we should then bring it down to a level of in that we understand it in our in the level and he says even though it's a very very busy day see there still this is the time we're meant to do this what we're doing right now okay so now let's talk about this for a second we'll See how far we go. The hour is late and today it's a short in Melbourne it's short. So one famous question first we're going to speak the idea as explained in a very famous talk of the so over there he starts with the Mishna. We probably spoke about this before because it's one of my favorite where the Reb speaks on the B. It starts which is the proper path the man should choose and the Mishna says all those that bring beauty to the ones that do it etc etc. Let me turn the page maybe I'll find it here. Anyways, the famous question on this Mishna is what do you mean all of a sudden obvious the Mishna comes comes along and says what is the proper path? First of all, who said we get to decide what the proper path is? We're giving it like it's up for it's up for grabs. We're having a question over here. What's the right path? What do you mean showed us the path? He gave us he gave us the way. Just to translate in English it says Rabbi Rebby said which is the right path that a man should choose for himself that which is honorable to himself and brings him honor for man. Anyways, so what do you mean? Like all of a sudden the Mishna asks which is the proper path and also it's clear what the proper So Hashem gave us a path and it's clear also what the proper path is because the the says a verse that the ways of hem is and it says so we know clearly that the way of the way of hem is proper. So what what what's going on of all of a sudden this question? So the Rebi first goes back to the basics and explains what happened at Sinai that the Yidden said. So first first there's a verse in where it says that the Yidden answered we will do. Then it says they said we will do and then they said we will hear. So first of all, why did they have to save an ishma? What's wrong with just saying we will do? We'll leave it at that. The Reb elaborates on it over there. I'm leaving it at that because we already hinted to the answer. But first, what comes out and we've spoken about this many times, but this is a prime example. In Judaism, there's two central thoughts, two central aspects, two fundamental facets in our relationship with Hashem. To get the full relationship with Hashem, there has to be two dimensions. We spoke about this many times. On the one hand, there's something called BL, which means self nullification. but could also be translated as transcendence. And on the other hand, we have what's called or together unification and refinement. What how do we find this classic idea an ideological level? We start with Hashem himself and his relationship to the world. There's two central ideas in Judaism. One idea is the bit how everything in relation to true infinity is nothing and in this itself there's many different meditations but let's go in general whoever studied they see this all the time everything in relation to Hashem is absolute nothingness there's only one real existence there's only one real power and that is Hashem and Hashem is infinite And therefore anything in relation to true infinity is like nothing. There's no real worthiness. There's no real value only godliness. So that's called all the worlds are considered like nothing. And this is also connected with the idea that we say violation say God has not changed through creation. He was the only existence before creation. He is still the only existence after creation. In this idea itself why he remains the only existence. One stress brings out the nullification of the worlds that they're nothing so there's only God. But then there's another point which is the unification of it's not like the worlds are nothing or the world is nothing in relation to infinity. But we say a different emphasis. We look at the world take a good look at the world. The world itself mirrors godliness. We don't have we don't have to negate the world. Make me don't break me. We could look at the world as the world is and see how the world itself proves, cries out, screams, testifies, hashem, hashem. That's called the unification of the world. We see how the world itself is godliness. to understand it in relationship and in our service of Hashem. By the way, these two ideas run through everything. We can give a lecture for a couple of months, pick and choose a subject and we could see the way this runs through everything. Let's stick to aem. Let's say we have a person and we say what's the ultimate way to serve choice or no choice or let's make it very classical. On the one hand we say there's something called this goes back to the that I started today in the prayer. What does the say? Why do we say first and then because the first thing has to be we accept Hashem as the authority you're the boss you're the master and we have to we are lawabiding citizens. The first thing of every single citizen is to be a law-abiding citizen. Recognize that there's a an authority and a cause which is greater than you. And you have to submit to that authority. Says first come when you say you are accepting upon yourself the authority of Hashem as the king, as the ruler, as the boss. So that comes first. That's And that's called BL in the language that we said before. It's BL because let's take it a bit deeper for a second. Since Hashem is actually truly infinite and the whole idea of Judaism is that the limited mortal finite being an existence of a person with an in true but now Hashem nullify the divide and the bridge that's between creator and creation. He said that this creation is going to become one and merge with Hashem himself. How could that be? So, we have to realize that it's only possible because Hashem allows it because he's the ultimate ultimate ultimate true infinity. He can make the finite and the infinity merge and become one. But since he is the one that allows it, obviously we have to realize that it's only when you follow his instructions. Otherwise, it's impossible. It's scientifically, mathematically, physics. It's impossible for something finite to become one with infinity unless the infinity allows it. And the infinity, Hashem himself, the ultimate infinity said that only when you do this and you do that, then it will happen. So only by following those steps, it happens. And that's why the basis of we'll call it instead of BL transcendence. Transcendence means you have to be able to go out of the limitations that mortals have and creations have to be able to go out of those limitations, borders and boundaries and you become one with infinity. In other words, to achieve transcendence, you have to let go of your previous existence. That's called BL. As for example in a country for example the first thing is you have to be a law abiding citizen but then comes the next step in order for it to be a true relationship. It's not enough that I should just put my brains aside put my feelings aside because then that means that the whole my whole relationship to Hashem did not really permeate my being. I might not enjoy it. I might not see how it's really great with my human intellect with my human heart. At the end of the day, there is a human heart and a human mind that's here. And guess what? Besides except the authority, guess what? Which represents there's also that say no God understand. So it means I have a mind. Don't throw my brains out the window. Take that physical mind and intellect and logic that you have and use it in such a way that you understand. And the same thing with my heart. Love God. Love God doesn't mean that I ignore my heart or that I put it aside. That means my heart has to flutter with excitement because I'm going to do a mitzvah. That's called That's called That means we take this thing as it is and we cause it to become united with Hashem. Not by negating it, not by ignoring it, but on the contrary by elevating it, transforming it and refining it. So that's the two streams, the two ideas. Now these two ideas are completely involved contained in the words nasa venishma and you have to have both. First comes NASA because the first rule in order to understand how now you are entering into a relationship with ultimate infinity something which is totally beyond you and never was accomplished before. You have to realize the first thing is NASA. By the way, the two ideas is Ben and the same idea and a and mel again. We see it again and again. There's one aspect of our relationship where Hashem is king. That's it. That's what's that's the first step. In other words, there's a bit you have to realize there's something which is far far far greater than you. Infinitely greater than you. Next step has to be it's not enough. You have to feel like you're the sun. There's a love. You relate to it. You're passionate about it. You're not just like a robot that forces yourself to do what you have to do. You understand? And this is what the Reb brings out in that of and the lesson that he takes from it. And that's one lesson we have to take. There's two lessons we have to talk about now for today is based on what we said till now. Number one is we have to realize that the first step is as he says in the over there that this is the basis of everything. The first thing is you have to pledge your loyalty. I'm a loyal citizen. I'm a loyal Jew. I have your back God so to speak. So that represents the idea of nullification. And that's of today to become inculcated with this idea that the first thing is you have to have this loyalty that the bond transcends whether you understand or whether you don't understand. You're in this together. All in. That's number one. But after that you have to take everything of Yiddish as much as possible. And this is what Hashem wants. That's why we say after as the Reb points out in some place. In other words, the whole is saturated with the idea that why do I have to understand? Because if I didn't understand, I wouldn't do it. No, because God wants me to understand. God, Hashem wants ME TO SEE THE Yiddish how Yiddish is the best and I see with my human intellect with my of my that's the whole point and so these are the two powerful lessons. The number one powerful lesson is that every year has to understand the basis it starts with this idea of an unlimited loyalty to Hashem. a pledge of allegiance to understand that you're dealing with something which is far far greater than you. It starts with that. If you don't have this idea that you're dealing with something which is far far greater than you, then it's not a relationship with Hashem. It's all about serving yourself. You're never transcending. You're never going out of the limitations of man. But in the second point, you have to realize the ultimate truth is so true that you will see how Yiddisheskite is the best. It's the most enjoyable. There's nothing like it. Every single idea in Yiddish, every single thought in Yiddish, every single precept in Yiddish is the best and could be explained self-c to a certain in a certain level. You have to work on it that it should be nishma to the best of your abilities that it becomes something which completely becomes internalized. You identify with it in every single level of your being because ultimate truth permeates every single level. So ultimate truth permeates the level of intellect also as long as you have the right foundations. And that's that's that's an unbelievable empowering message for 2026 in our day in our age that the person's approach to Yiddish is you believe in the truth of it so much that we're going to work as much as possible to make it presentable on any level even in a level how hello this IS THE BEST TRY IT YOU LIKE IT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE IT AND I CAN EXPLAIN to you I can demonstrate to you how there's nothing like it on any level you want that's the idea of nishma. So now we understand oh and this is how the reb answers the Mishna. What is it saying over here in this Mishna? The mission is saying what is the best way that man reaches a level where he's serving the where it's not only because of his obedience but he realizes that part of this obedience is that I should it should perate me to such a such a level that I take complete ownership it's coming from me That's what the mission is teaching us that the ultimate level is I have to serve God in such a way that it's mine. I feel like it was my choice, my intellect could explain how it's warranted and how it's tops and so to my heart and feelings and the truth is brings out I don't want to speak about the profoundity right now but over there he explains how The used to say, it says in the if the Torah wasn't given, we learn modesty from an ant. That's what it says. So the Reb or maybe the Reb I think the Reb explains it. Why were we told this might mean was given so everything we learn we know is from that's our value system. That's what we know about our priorities. The Reb explains an unbelievable verse. The reason why we were told this is on a certain level, we have to see the value of certain things that the Torah speaks about how we shouldn't just have to say, "Oh, the only reason why this is good is because the Torah says so." Of course, that's the real reason because the Torah defines what's good and what's not. But at the same time, what Hashem wanted from you is it should so become you as if even if the Torah wouldn't have commanded us to do it, we would do it. But that itself because that's the way Hashem wants you to perform the mitzvah to such a degree that it becomes so in sync with the natural intend tendencies and incl. Anyways, so that's one idea and that's we meditated about. Now I want to say another two uh oh it always takes more time than I thought. One is from the says write somewhere inv connected to the famous question over here. I don't know if I mentioned before why did he say that the forced he held the mountain over us and he said if you accept the Torah not if not we'll we'll over here you will perish. So it simply put it seems like God coerced us forced us to accept the Torah and this is a big discussion by all the commentaries. It's a question in any case which I'm going to paraphrase it a bit and maybe change the emphasis but this is what what the idea is. It's not that Hashem forced us to accept the Torah to show us the quality of what the the advantage of choice or no choice. And there's an advantage in each as we explained before. But there's another thing was going on over here. When it says that he forced us, what that means is he injected us with real free will. What does it mean real free will? Real free will means even in a situation where you're not excited about it, you should be able to do it. Wow. In other words, comes from the word here was when Hashem gave the ability that even if something is a situation where you don't understand it, doesn't relate to your rationale, you're not excited about it, you don't have a great love to it, you're missing the passion, even if you're lazy, whatever the story is, sometimes S you feel like that's it. You're burnt out of gas. Guess what the by when he did that he injected in us. He gave us the supplements, the nutrients to be able to affect in ourselves. He gave us the ability that no matter what, rain, shine, whatever it is, that that unbelievable ability to be able to have the routine or, you know, persistence, consistency, no matter what, to be like Superman, whatever the situation, whatever the occasion, whatever the mood, you can do it. So you have the ability to force yourself to do it even though everything screams I can't you can still do it. So that's a and that's a emphasis on empowerment and that explains the famous answer to the question which is tus brings that question over there in the shabas that why did hashem force us even though he said because what happens it was very good at that moment we were very inspired we were very excited what happens when it comes a day where you won't be excited that's many people have this question. It's very nice that I'm excited today, but what happen tomorrow? Am I every day going to be excited and turned on? Guess what? That's why it was the had to inject us with that ability that even when we're not excited, we should still be able to perform and do the right thing no matter what. Okay, there's another V over here which in a certain sense is counterintuitive, but in a way it's not. That's a story that happened with and we're just going to say it very briefly. It's printed in at the end of and the story goes over there that the whoever's son he came to the with a question and that is that the first says that the said nasa and then they said why and this is what answered him that the answer Butenu is a true leader and wanted the best for the yidden and he loved wanted that should not only be button should be going back to in other words you could have had the idea of Judaism if would remained only with nasa It would have been something external, something ticking the boxes, something mechanical, robotic, etc. That would have been NASA. We did it. Robots could have NASA. That's good. Today, everything's about these robots. Robots could also have NASA. So, he wanted this should be the nishma. That means it became internalized. That means there's passion. That means there's there's a consciousness a sense of the profoundity of the beauty the beauty of worked on the said nasa we're ready to do it dry no problem work with the yidden that they should they should come to the conclusion that it's not only about just following ticking the boxes action, but it's about feeling and understanding awareness. Yeah. And they said he said anyways that's what the and the heard that and he ran outside. Look it up. I'm just going to tell you. He ran outside. They met and they used to like to give a kiss with each other banter. Anyways, so the was very young then he was a very young child and he ran outside and he said at that time there was still the concept there was those that were opposed to the to the ways of they were called opposition they were so the took the words that he heard from his father and he said that by snagged him it's enough because in other words the dry action just mechanical just taking off the boxes doing what it says in the code of law fine but are the ones that emphasize the inner dimension the inner character traits of the person that it shouldn't only be something that's emphasizes not only what's going on in the outside about rules regulations and restrictions let's say but also about the relationship not only the idea of but also the idea of to have the full relationship with Hashem Maybe we should help that each one of us should in each one and the full meaning of each one and to develop our relationship with Hashem deeper and higher richer. So we should see the excitement of Yiddish kite and the beauty of Yiddish kite and how everything brings us closer to Hashem. as said now posting from my home your man in Melbourne.