From Jewish Virtual Library; Jewish Holidays Shavuot: It is noteworthy that the holiday is called the time of the giving of the Torah, rather than the time of the receiving of the Torah. The sages point out that we are constantly in the process of receiving the Torah, that we receive it every day, but it was first given at this time. Thus it is the giving, not the receiving, that makes this holiday significant.
Micah- the only way you learn something new is if you look at the same thing with a different perspective. If you only look at things the same way you will never learn anything new.
Jackson: Shavuot isn't about receiving the Torah it is about giving the Torah. If you talk about Torah to other people from your perspective that would be giving other people new perspectives on the Torah.
Miya:How during a Shemita year did a farmer give first fruits as a sacrifice?
(ג) ו'שבועות' הוא יום 'מתן תורה'. ולהגדיל היום ההוא ימנו הימים מן המועד הראשון אליו - כמי שממתין בוא הנאמן שבאוהביו שהוא מונה היום וגם השעות. וזאת היא סיבת 'ספירת העומר' מיום צאתם ממצרים עד יום 'מתן תורה' שהוא היה הכונה והתכלית ביציאתם - כאמרו "ואביא אתכם אלי". ולא היה המראה הגדול ההוא אלא יום אחד - כן זכרונו בכל שנה יום אחד. אבל אכילת 'מצה' אילו היה יום אחד לא היינו מרגישים בו ולא היה מתבאר ענינו כי הרבה פעמים יאכל האדם מין אחד מן המאכלים שני ימים או שלושה; ואמנם יתבאר ענינו ויתפרסם בהתמיד אכילתו הקף שלם:
(3) The Feast of Weeks is the anniversary of the Revelation on Mount Sinai. In order to raise the importance of this day, we count the days that pass since the preceding festival, just as one who expects his most intimate friend on a certain day counts the days and even the hours. This is the reason why we count the days that pass since the offering of the Omer, between the anniversary of our departure from Egypt and the anniversary of the Lawgiving. The latter was the aim and object of the exodus from Egypt, and thus God said, "I brought you unto myself" (Exod. 19:4). As that great revelation took place only on one day, so we keep its anniversary only one day: but if the eating of unleavened bread on Passover were only commanded for one day, we should not have noticed it, and its object would not have been manifest. For it frequently happens that we take the same kind of food for two or three days. But by our continuing for a whole period [of seven days] to eat unleavened bread, its object becomes clear and evident.
From Chabad.org, Eleven Shavuot Facts Every Jew Should Know:
The holiday of Shavuot is the day on which we celebrate the great revelation of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, more than 3,300 years ago. You stood at the foot of the mountain. Your grandparents and great-grandparents before them. The souls of all Jews, from all times, came together to hear the Ten Commandments from G‑d Himself.
Since we all stood at Mount Sinai, we must all reaffirm our commitment. Babies, young children, the elderly, all that are able, should attend Torah reading on the first day of Shavuot...
Before G‑d gave the Torah to the Jewish people, He demanded guarantors. The Jews made a number of suggestions, all rejected by G‑d, until they declared, “Our children will be our guarantors that we will cherish and observe the Torah.” G‑d immediately accepted them and agreed to give the Torah.
There is therefore special significance to bringing children, even the youngest of infants, to hear the Ten Commandments.
BBC.co.uk: Mitzvot in the Torah- Covenant and Mitzvot:
Covenant and mitzvot
A covenant is an agreement. Jewish people believe they have a special responsibility to follow the mitzvot, which are God’s laws in the Torah, because of the covenants they have made with him.
Mitzvot in the Torah
The Torah contains 613 mitzvot, which are Jewish rules or commandments, covering many aspects of Jewish life, some in great detail. Jews agreed to follow these rules when Moses received them as part of the covenant with God. For many Jews, following these laws is a core part of their religious identity.
Types of mitzvot
The mitzvot can be divided into two categories, ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ rules that Jews should do or not do:
- There are 248 positive mitzvot, which explain what Jews should do. These rules are known as mitzvot aseh.
- There are 365 negative mitzvot, which explain what Jews should not do. These rules are known as mitzvot ta’aseh.
Adam: We are testing G-d. By giving us rules we will test them and see the right and wrong. For example, the Golden calf. We were told not to worship idols but we did and G-d was ready to destroy us but Moses calmed down G-d's anger.