The Importance of Showing Up

 

Shavuot is one of the three Regalim. In the times of the Beit Hamikdash there was a mitzvah for Jews to come to Jerusalem to “see and be seen”, ie to be inspired by the sights and miracles of the Temple and to “be seen” by Hashem. There are a number of lessons that we can learn from the mitzvah of Aliyah L’Regel. First, it teaches us the lesson of faith in God. On Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot all males were obligated to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. If all of the men were in Jerusalem, then the rest of the country was vulnerable to attack from enemies. The Torah (Shemot 34:24) assures the Jewish People that Hashem will protect our land while we are in Jerusalem. To act upon this Divine promise and to leave one’s land vulnerable requires a healthy amount of Emunah, faith in God. Second, Aliyah L’Regel teaches us the value in beeing a part of something bigger than ourselves. This is accomplished in at least two ways. In both Parshat Mishpatim and Ki Tisa, the Torah commands us to appear before Hashem. In both places it uses a unique name for God: “Adon”. Adon means “master”. It emphasizes the hierarchy that exists between man and God. When a person goes on Aliyah L’Regel s/he is submitting to the will of God and shows a desire to be counted among those who have accepted upon themselves the yoke of mitzvot. Over the Shalosh Regalim in Jerusalem, Jewish unity was on display. Jews from different places, different professions, and different perspectives all came together in a central location for a common purpose. This sense of unity can be found in an interesting Halacha quoted by the Talmud. Residents of Jerusalem were forbidden from charging visiting Jews money to stay in their homes over the Regel. Residents had to open their homes for free to anyone who needed a place to stay. (The Talmud says that it was common practice for guests to leave a gift- often the leather hides of the animals that were offered as sacrifices.) When you came to Jerusalem for a festival you felt more connected to Hashem, more connected to your fellow Jews, and more connected to the totality of Am Yisrael. It is therefore not surprising that the Halacha encourages us to bring our children with us on Aliyah L’Regel from a very young age. While the obligation of formally training children in mitzvot (ie Chinuch) begins around age 7/8, The Talmud encourages bringing children to Jerusalem starting from a much younger age: as young as when the child can sit on the parent’s shoulders on the way up to the Beit Hamikdash.

What is true about going to the Beit Hamikdash on a Regel is also true regarding showing up at our shul, a Mikdash Me’at. Our shul hosts many minyanim, many shiurim, and many programs. We are constantly encouraging attendance and participation in these activities. It’s important to realize that your participation is not primarily for the sake of the program, or for the sake of other people, or for the sake of the shul. Your attendance and participation in shul activities is primarily for your sake. It empowers you to connect with your fellow Jews, with your community and with Hashem. It reminds you of the opportunity you have to be a part of something greater than yourself. Woody Allen said that eighty percent of success is showing up. When it comes to Aliyah L’Regel- and our relationship with our shul- showing up can be a 100% success.