The Jewish people’s journey toward nationhood began on Passover.
The Exodus redeemed them from physical slavery and subjugation,
but they still lacked a national identity and purpose. This was
conferred upon them only later – when the Jewish people both
heard and saw the words of God at Mt. Sinai. In those moments,
the newly formed nation obtained its spiritual identity and
national calling through the Torah. This world-altering event,
the Revelation of the Torah to the Jews at Mt. Sinai, took place
on the seventh day of the month of Sivan, in the year 2448 (1313
B.C.E.). Every year, this date is celebrated as the festival
called Shavuot. For the Jewish people who came out of Egypt, the
period between the Exodus and the Revelation at Mt. Sinai was
one of continuous spiritual awakening. Their relationship with
God grew stronger and closer. Miraculous events occurred daily.
For the Jewish people in subsequent generations, this period
continues to be one of the greatest times of the year, in which
we prepare our