Shavuot

Chag sameach!

Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, is the second of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Passover and Sukkot). Agriculturally, it commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple, and is known as Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of the First Fruits). Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and is also known as Hag Matan Torateinu (the Festival of the Giving of Our Torah).

The Story:
Shavuot has extremely little associated with it from the standpoint of a story. The holiday commemorates the receiving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. The holiday is set to fall precisely 7 weeks after Pesach, and is oftentimes call Atzeret, in recognition of its position as the beginning of the 8th week after Pesach, similar to Shemini Atzeret being the 8th and final day of Sukkot. The 7 weeks between Pesach and Shavuot are known as the Omer, and contain great significance as the time when the Israelites went from their Slavery to the Freedom granted them by Torah. The name "Shavuot" itself is simply derived from the word 7, and denotes the number of weeks.

This theme of accepting Torah is mirrored by the Book of Ruth, which we read on Shavuot. Ruth is born a Moabite, and becomes the first known convert to Judaism. When her husband dies, she tells her Mother-in-Law Naomi that she will go with her, and accept her people. Ruth says the words, “Your people is my people, and your God is my God.” The Jewish people also “accept” the Torah on Shavuot. While the Jewish people may have been born into that society, they, just as Ruth, had to accept the Torah at Sinai.

Shavuot is the continuation of the story of the Jewish people in their quest for God. They began with the redemption from slavery, and now they move on to the receiving of the Torah.

Shavuot and the Harvest:
Shavuot, the Feast of the Weeks, is the Jewish holiday celebrating the harvest season in Israel. Shavuot, which means "weeks", refers to the timing of the festival which is held exactly 7 weeks after Passover. Shavuot is known also as Yom Habikkurim, or "the Day of the First Fruits", because it is the time the farmers of Israel would bring their first harvest to Jerusalem as a token of thanksgiving.

The farmers of Israel would begin their spring harvests with the barley crop at Passover. The harvest continued for seven weeks as the other crops and fruits began to ripen. As each fruit ripened, the first of each type would not be eaten but instead the farmer would tie a ribbon around the the branch. This ribbon signified that these fruits were Bikkurim, or the first fruits.

At Shavuot the farmers would gather the Bikkurim into baskets and bring them to the city of Jerusalem where they would be eaten in the holy city. The farmers living close to Jerusalem would bring fresh fruits, while those who had to travel a long distance carried dried raisins and figs. This joyful occasion was celebrated with the music of fifes, timbres, and drums. As the pilgrims approached the city walls they were greeted by the inhabitants of the city. Sometimes the King himself would join the procession to the Temple Mount. The Bikkurim ritual is no longer practiced in present day Israel.

The Mitzvot:

• It is customary to eat a Dairy Meal on Shavuot. It is unclear why; however it may have some illusion the land of Milk and Honey. Some people also eat a Dairy Meal, and then a Meat Meal much later at night to fulfill the Mitzvah of a festive meal (which our sages taught, consists of Meat and Wine).
• It is customary to stay up all night on Shavuot to hold a tikkun, and study until the sun rises and it is time for Shacharit (for more information on this, see the Shavuot Learn-a-Thon).
• Shavuot is traditionally low on customs as a sign of the freedom the Jewish people gained with the Torah. Unlike Pesach, which is extremely ritualized, Shavuot is very easy-going.

The Twists:
It is difficult to know why the Israelites did not receive the Torah right after their exodus from Egypt. This is perhaps because the Israelites were not ready, and needed time to adjust from the horrible struggle of bondage. It was only after a period of preparation that the Jewish people were ready to accept a code such as the Torah.

Shavuot Programs in the Online Program Bank:

• #N034 - The Road Back to Sinai

Shavuot on the USY Website:

• Shavuot Learn-a-Thon

Other Links:

• Holidays.net - Shavuot
• Judaism 101: Shavuot