The Two Crowns of Torah
Rabbi Yitzchak Schwartz
Shavuos 5765
When G-d offered to give the Torah to the Jewish people they responded with the following proclomation. "Everything that G-d says we will do and [to it all] we will listen." Since it is impossible to do something before you have heard what is expected of you, it seems more reasonable for them to have reversed the order and said: To everything that G-d says we will listen and do. Our sages o"bm tell us that when the Jewish people said this they were greeted with 600,000 angels that tied two crowns to the head of each and every person.
The Sefas Emes draws our attention to the use of the word "tied" in describing the adornment of these crowns. He gives the following remarkable explanation. The crowns are symbolic of spiritual energy. In classical Chassidic works spiritual energy is often referred to as lights. Every Jew possesses these two lights. One of the lights is internal. It is the source of the sanctity of the neshamma [soul]. This light is responsible for the often observed phenomenon that every Jew possesses an innate desire to come close to G-d. The other light shines upon us from above. With this light we can reach levels of understanding and spiritual achievement that transcend ordinary human capacity. We can further describe these two lights as personal internal potential and G-d given or super-potential respectively.
This, explains the Sefas Emes, is the reason why our sages described the attachment of these crowns as an act of tying. In other words, by enthusiastically accepting the Torah every Jew can connect their own personal potential with the higher source of G-d given potential. The unification of one's own internal strength and talent with the eminently greater power of G-d is a potent combination.
The pressures and vicissitudes of life often demand from us a level of wisdom and strength above and beyond our limited capacity. It is extremely encouraging to know that by enthusiastically embracing Torah study and observance we can count on G-d to infuse us with the additional wisdom and strength that we need.
"Hashem gives strength to his people, Hashem blesses his people with peace." May the renewed commitment to Torah that we make this Shavuos help us find strength, internal peace, and personal fulfillment.