(א) נשאלתי במדינת ליטא מפני מה נקרא חג שבועות בשם עצרת, והלא לא נזכר בתורה שם עצרת רק בשמיני עצרת.
(ג) אופן הג', הוא על פי דברי הרמב"ן שפירש על פסוק (שיה"ש ב, ז) מה תעירו ומה תעוררו את האהבה עד שתחפץ, ופירש כשמגיע לאדם איזה התעוררת של יראה ואהבה להבורא ברוך הוא אזי תיכף ומיד יראה לעשות לה כלי, היינו שיעשה תיכף איזה מצוה, דהיינו שיתן צדקה או ישב תיכף ללמוד וכדומה, כי ידוע שהתעוררת הבאה אל האדם בפתע פתאום הוא אור הנשפע עליו מלמעלה ונקרא בחינת נשמה אזי צריך האדם להלבישה בגוף בכדי שיהיה לה חיזוק ובסיס שלא יהיה מוטה חס ושלום כידוע למביני מדע. וזה פירוש הפסוק מה תעירו ומה תעוררו את האהבה עד שתחפץ, כי חפץ הוא מלשון כלי, דהיינו ההתעוררת ההוא שבא אל האדם צריך תיכף ומיד כלי וזהו עד שתחפץ עד כאן לשונו אף שאין זה לשונו ממש.
והנה בשעת מתן תורה שהיה בוודאי לישראל אז התעוררת גדולה ולא היה להם עדיין שום מצוה לעשות להתעוררת כלי מוכרח לומר שהיו מקיימים מצות הגבלה שהזהיר משה רבינו עליו השלום שלא ליגע בהר והם היו נעצרים מליגע וממצוה הזה היו עושים כלי להתעוררת ועל שם זה נקרא בשם עצרת:
I was asked in the province of Lithuania why the holiday of Shavu‘ot is also called ‘Atseret (Assembly). Is it not the case that only the holiday of Shemini ‘Atseret [following Sukkot] is called by this name (Num. 29:35)?
... This follows the words of Nahmanides (Sefer ha-Emunah ve’-ha-Bitahon, Ch. 19), who commented on the verse: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires (Song of Songs 2:7). He said that when you are aroused by the love or fear of the blessed Creator, you should be careful to immediately create a vessel. That is, as soon as possible, carry out a mitsvah—give charity, sit and study, etc. For it is known that an arousal that comes to one suddenly is a light emanating from above as is called “soul.” You must clothe it in a “body” so that it has strength and a foundation so that it not be misdirected, heaven forbid, as is known to those of spiritual understanding.
Now this is the meaning of the verse: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. The word hefets can be read as “desire” or as “vessel.” Meaning, the arousal that comes upon you needs to immediately become [be placed in] a vessel—this is the [alternative] meaning of “until it so desires (‘ad she-tehpats).” Here I conclude my paraphrase of Nahmanides’ interpretation.
Now at the time of the giving of the Torah, when Israel certainly experienced a great arousal, they did not have a single mitsvah to serve as a vessel. Therefore, we must say that they carried out the mitsvah of hagbalah, setting limits around the mountain, which Moses had warned them not to touch (Ex. 19:12). They stopped themselves (ne‘etsarim) from touching it, and by enacting this mitsvah they created a vessel for the arousal. It is for this reason that Shavu‘ot is also called by the name ‘Atseret (Assembly or “Stoppage”).
Translation: Speaking Torah, vol. 2, p.220
People of Good Thought - Ch. 9
Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira of Warsaw
Often, a person participates in prayer but cannot awaken their soul at that moment. And then there are times when the soul is awake but it is not time for prayer so the person does not pray. Thus the soul-capacities, and pure thought are never developed, and the soul sleeps through life…
Earlier we described various strategies for awakening yourself during prayer. But you should not neglect the other possibility as well. Do not ignore feelings that rise within you at random times when you are not engaged in prayer or spiritual practice. Use those moments as a key to open the soul.
Any emotional response, broken-heartedness or joy, is your soul revealing itself, even if the feeling is a response to some business issue or a physical feeling. These issues are a cover, under which your soul has exposed itself, so take advantage of these opportunities.
1-2
If you experience a moment of broken-heartedness, even if it is in response to some material need, step aside, stand by the wall, and say a chapter of Psalms.
It is best to choose a chapter that relates to what happened to you and to your concerns, for example, if you are concerned about someone who hates you, you could pray the verses “God, I have so many enemies, etc” (Psalms 3). For some other kind of concern you could choose “Save me God… I am sinking in deep mud, etc” (Psalms 69) or “I lift my eyes to the mountains - where will my help come from?” (Psalms 121).
There is however no point in just rushing in from your business, and chanting words with no thought or feeling. Take time to pay attention to your concerns, these worries that are such an obstacle for you and cause you so much sorrow… To whom else could you bring them, if not to the compassionate parent for whom all is possible?
So there you are, approaching the seat of glory - try to imagine standing before the Divine presence and crying out “God, I have so many enemies… They all say, by God, there is no hope for me…” and even though that is what they say “you God are my protector…” (Psalms 3).
3.
When you finish saying the verses continue with your own words, in whatever language you speak, and say whatever comes to your mind.
From sentence to sentence and from word to word, you will find your mind and thoughts becoming more powerful and elevated, and gradually it will no longer be about your material concern.
4.
A cry will burst from the depths of your heart - Ribbono shel Olam, bring me close and purify me, help me rise through all these worries to be close to you, with clear heart and soul.
5.
It is good to end your prayer with some comforting verse like “God is my shepherd, I shall not fear, etc.” and rejoice in God’s presence, for God really is with you...