We find an interesting debate in the Talmud, regarding Yom Tov in general.
How should a person divide the day?
Should it be devoted entirely to Hashem through learning and prayer, or should part of it be dedicated to natural human needs and yes, physical enjoyment too
Yet regarding Shavuos specifically, everyone agrees that on Shavuos there must also be physical enjoyment.
Why is that?
If any day should be purely spiritual, it should be Shavuos. This is the day of Torah; the day of Har Sinai. One would imagine we should simply learn and pray nonstop
Perhaps there is an incredibly important point
Hashem did not give us Torah to escape life. He gave us Torah to elevate life.
Torah is not meant to deprive a person of joy.
Torah teaches a person how to live properly, build healthy marriages & families, enjoy real relationships, create honest businesses, and live with a higher feeling of kedusha.
Hashem wants us to enjoy His world correctly. And that is why on Shavuos, even physical enjoyment becomes part of the mitzvah.
The cheesecake itself becomes symbolic. Torah is meant to infuse life with sweetness
Good Yom Tov & Shabbos
Cham Michael Biberfeld
