DVAR TORAH
In the Gemara in Pesachim (68b), we read of Rav Yosef, who, on every Shavuot, would say to his servants, "Prepare for me a third-born calf" - which was a costly delicacy.
Why spend so much for a Shavuot meal? Explained Rav Yosef because "If not for this day on which the Torah was given that caused the Jewish people to have the Torah, how many Yosefs would there be in the market?" 'If this day had not caused me to learn Torah and thereby become spiritually elevated, how many 'Yosefs' are there in the marketplace—and I would have been indistinguishable from them!'"
The simple reading of this passage is that the Amora Rav Yosef is commenting that if not for Matan Torah and his personal Torah learning, he would be "just another Yosef" (and he, therefore, celebrated the occasion of Shavuot by asking his servants to prepare his favorite dish).
And yet, HaRav Ruderman, the Rosh haYeshiva of Ner Yisrael, would often explain that the Gemara means something more profound.
"How many 'Yosefs' are there in the marketplace" does not mean "I would be just another 'Yosef.'" Rather, it means "there would be so many of me—I would be so many different types of people."
In other words, I would be all over the place - conflicted in life without the unifying force of Torah. Without Torah, I would be so many Yosefs - living a life that is not focused and without an ultimate purpose.
This is what the Yom Tov of Shavuot is all about. It is a time to appreciate and celebrate what the Torah does for each of us.
HALACHA OF THE WEEK: TEARING KRIAH AT THE KOTEL
BIRKOT Ha-TORAH ON SHAVUOT MORNING & POST-MISHMAR PROCEDURES
Every morning, before we begin to learn, we recite a special bracha for the mitzva of Torah study. This bracha is so natural and expected that it has become part of the daily davening. But what happens when a person is up all night? Is this bracha necessary the following day, or should it be skipped?
The answer is a "machloket" (a dispute). Some maintain that it's not necessary since the bracha of the day before is still in effect. Others rule that this bracha must be said each morning regardless of whether or not one slept [Shulchan Aruch Harav, Orech Chayim 47:7; Aruch HaShulchan ibid., 23; Kaf HaChayim ibid., 26].
According to the Mishna Berura [Shulchan Aruch, Orech Chayim 47:28], this debate remains unresolved, and therefore following options are recommended - either listen to the brachot from someone who did sleep or before Shema when reciting the paragraph of Ahavah Rabbah use that blessing to fulfill one's obligation.
Two other options are: 1) if one slept on erev Shavuot (even for just 1/2 hour), the bracha should be said [Mishna Berura ibid., quoting Rabbi Akiva Eiger]; and 2) when reciting the bracha on erev Shavuot morning, clearly stipulate that it should only be in effect until the next morning [Luach Eretz Yisrael in the name of Rabbi Yosef Teumim].
In addition, the following is a simplified guide to the "post-mishmar" procedure for people who stayed awake all night:
1. At some point after "alot hashachar" (72 minutes before sunrise), a person should go to the bathroom and then wash hands, reciting the blessings of "al netilat yadaim" and "asher yatzar" [Mishna Berura 4 note 30]
2. The blessing of "elokai neshama should be heard from someone who slept during the night [Mishna Berura 46 note 24]
3. The remaining "birkot hashachar" may be recited, except for the final blessing of "ha'ma'avir shaina," which again should be heard from someone who slept.
MONDAY NIGHT SEDER - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays
FROM THE DAYAN'S DESK - 8:00-9:00pm Mondays
SEMICHAT CHAVER PROGRAM - Wednesdays @ 8:15pm 
SHABBAT WOMEN'S SHIUR - 5:00pm - 
TALMUD CLASS – 45 minutes before mincha
SEFER YESHAYAHU - Sundays, 9:00pm 
