Our Shavuot Story

As some of the parents wanted to know where I found the story we read yesterday I decided to add it to our blog. The story is written by Rabbi Joel Luri Grishaver whose books and advice, among others, I often use for preparing our lessons...


All the mountains heard that God was going to give the Torah to Israel. Every mountain was trying hard to be chosen.

Mt. Everest (the highest mountain in the world) came and said, ' I am the tallest of all. The torah is important. It should be given from the highest place on earth." God thought 'Boy, this mountain has a big ego" But instead he said, 'No thank you. It would take far far too long to reach up there and then we would have to come down again..."

Next came Miss Poconos, the most beautiful mountain of all. She said "See here, God, the Torah is the most important thing you have. You should give it from the prettiest place - me." God thought 'this mountain is too vain' But instead he said "Actually we are looking for a different kind of beauty but thank you anyway."

My name is Mt Rushmore. I am strong and people carve faces on me. Right here you see is an empty space and we could have your picture carved there," God said "My image ! Well thats against the commandments - don't call us."

God was worried. He was not sure he would find the perfect one. There must be the right mountain out there somewhere!

And so came all the other mountains . They were all raising their hands, jumping up and down and boy they all had reasons why they should be chosen. Me, me Choose me, I'm the best." - except for one.


God did not know what to do. Then he saw Mount Sinai standing quietly to one side. He was not jumping up and down. God looked at him and asked "What is your name?"

"Why, my name is Sinai, your Holiness".

"Don't you want to be the chosen mountain"

Mount Sinai stood still and quietly answered, " but, but...but I'm just a little unimportant muontain. Someone else should be chosen."
At that moment God knew the right mountain to choose. God knew that Mount Sinai was teh perfect mountain. God chose Mount Sinai because he cared about everyone else. It was then that God sent for the Torah...


Moral : we discussed several lessons we could learn from this story and why God really chose this mountain. I leave you with this one " You are never too small to do great things..."

Shavuah tov..