The holiday of Shavuot, which begins the night of Tuesday, June 3rd, and continues through Thursday, celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Shavuot completes the cycle that celebrates the origin of the Jews as a people, starting with Passover. The holiday of Shavuot, once an agricultural festival, has come to represent the importance of the Torah, and our understanding that freedom is not complete until there is rule of law to guide us.

 At this time, when extremists have revived attempts to pass anti-democratic legislation in Israel to limit the speech of NGOs, and at this time when extremists are free to assault and vandalize the property of those who disagree with their goals, let Shavuot be a reminder that law should not be a tool to advance the interests of some, but a way to protect all, equally.