The Shavu'ot holiday commemorates the Revelation at Sinai. We are so accustomed to hearing this story, that we are often unmoved by the most remarkable event of G-d not only communicating with Man, but with an entire Nation! On Shavu'ot morning, the Torah portion is read in which the giving of the commandments is described. In German Jewish tradition, adopted by most Ashkenazim, a remarkable hymn, the Akdamut, is recited either before the Torah reading, or, even more unusual, after the Torah reading has begun and is interrupted for this hymn. Many consider it Judaism's greatest hymn. This is a view which I share.
Akadamut is a poem in Aramaic, consisting of forty four lines, each with ten syllables, with all lines ending in the syllable "ta". It takes us from the beginning of time until the end of time.
It opens with the reader apologizing for the interruption, but he must say "a few lines" about the revelation. He starts with G-d about to create the world. The hymn proceeds to creation, the perception of the angels , the creation of Man. We are then told of Israel's observance of the Torah. But the Nations are envious. "Who is your beloved, O fair one (Israel), that for Him you are killed everywhere? Join us, and we will give you great honor!" Israel replies "What will your honor mean when G-d is revealed in Redemption, when Divine honor will cover us, while you are covered in shame?) There is a description of the redemption. The Isralites will point to G-d and say "There He is! The One we believed in and had faith in Him with a fierce conviction!" The joys of the redemption, the rebuilding of Jerusalem in precious stones, are all described with great beauty. The long awaited return of the Israelites from the lands of our dispersion is extolled. A great celebration; the culmination of History, is pictured. The reader ends with "thank you for listening. May you all be present at that celebration".
As beautiful as the Akdamut is, the context is very telling. We are about to read of the Revelation.We are being told, in essence "Stop! Think about what happened. But not only that! Sinai was the culmination of Creation. It was all leading up to this; G-d communicating to Man, and setting him on a mission! But it is also a new beginning. We are to wander, be persecuted, bear testimony to the events of Sinai for millennia to come. Despite persecution, we proclaim the Truth of G-d. Most of mankind thinks us mad. But glory awaits, as all those with false values and false gods suddenly realize their great error and experience the profoundest possible shame." Almost anticlimactically, we are told "Hope to see you there!"
Sinai was a culmination. But Sinai was a beginning. In fact, every step in life is a culmination and a beginning, if we walk in the ways of Torah. Hope to see you there!