Here, we find a fascinating interpretation of the verse, "While the king was at his feast..." (Song of Songs 1:12). Rabbi Pinḥas, quoting Rabbi Hoshaya, connects this verse to the King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, and His "feast" – the giving of the Torah.
Imagine this: God is ready to give the Torah. According to this midrash, He arrived "early" for the event, just as Exodus 19:16 says, "It was on the third day when it was morning..." The rabbis paint a picture. It’s like a king who announces his arrival to a province. But what if the residents are… asleep?
The midrash uses this analogy: The people of the province sleep through the night, and the king arrives to find them still slumbering. So, he orders trumpets, horns, and a shofar (ram’s horn) to be sounded, and the governor rouses them to meet him. The king then leads them to his palace.
Similarly, the Holy One, blessed be He, arrived early, as Exodus states, "It was on the third day when it was morning," and "For on the third day, the Lord will descend before the eyes of the entire people" (Exodus 19:11). But, according to Rabbi Yudan, the Israelites were sound asleep! He even says that not even a flea bit them. Perhaps the pleasant weather of Shavuot and the short night made sleep extra inviting!
So God arrived and found everyone dozing. What did He do? He started blasting trumpets! That’s what the verse in Exodus 19:16 means when it says, "there was thunder and lightning." And Moses, bless his heart, became the ultimate wake-up call, leading the people out of the camp to meet God, as Exodus 19:17 says, "Moses took the people out of the camp toward God." God then walked before them until they reached Mount Sinai, which, as Exodus 19:18 describes, "was smoking because the Lord had descended."
Rabbi Yitzḥak adds a poignant layer to this story. He suggests that this whole episode is why God taunts the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah, saying, "Why have I come and there is no man, I called and there is no one to answer? Is My hand insufficient for redemption?" (Isaiah 50:2). Ouch!
Isn't it fascinating to think about? This midrash humanizes the divine encounter at Sinai. It reminds us that even in the most sacred moments, we humans can be… well, a little sleepy. It’s a reminder that showing up, being present, and actively engaging with the divine requires effort and intention on our part. We can't just sleep through the important moments, hoping someone else will wake us up. We have to be ready and waiting.
So, the next time you celebrate Shavuot, remember this story. Remember the trumpets, the lightning, and the sleepy Israelites. And ask yourself: Am I truly awake and ready to receive the Torah, or am I still hitting the snooze button?