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The night before Shavuot is dedicated to the study of the Torah. This tradition is let HaShem know that we want to study his Torah and we start at sundown beginning Shavuot and many study throughout the night showing their dedication.
Shavuot is 50 days after Passover (the 6th of Sivan) and the word Shavuot means "weeks" because it is 7 weeks after Passover.
The Torah tells us that we celebrate this holiday because of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. In Exodus chapter 19 and 20 we are told that HaShem gave us the commandments.
It is an interesting fact that the holiday celebrates the "giving" of the Torah, rather than "receiving" it. Our sages pointed out that we are constantly "receiving" the Torah but that this was the first time that we were "given" the Torah and that is why the holiday is special.
Today Shavuot is celebrated in synagogues around the world by reading the Book of Ruth and a very beautiful poem called Akdamut.
Eating Dairy
It is a custom to eat at least one dairy meal during Shavuot. There are
to main stories given for the dairy meal. One is that it is a reminder
of the promise about the land of Israel flowing with milk and honey.
Another story for the dairy meal is that when we received the Torah and
then knew the laws of Kashrut, we could eat only a dairy meal because
there was no kosher meat available.
Bikkurim festival
Many synagogues have their religious schools participate in a Bikkurim
festival. The children march around holding baskets of fruit which are
placed on the pulpit and later donated to hospitals or the poor. This
is to remind us that Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage holidays
when in ancient times Jews brought their first fruits to the Temple as
an offering to HaShem. The first fruits were called Bikkurim.
Decorating with flowers and plants
Shavuot's significance as an agricultural festival is seen by bringing
the outdoors inside. Homes and Synagogues are decorated with a variety
of plants, flowers and greenery. School children wear flower garlands
around their necks and help decorate the house and school with plants
and leaves.
Tradition says that the reason for decorating with plants and flowers
is that when the Torah was given at Mount Sinai, the barren desert
bloomed with flowers as the earth itself rejoiced.
A Torah all night party
The Midrash tells us that the Israelites overslept on the day that they
received the Torah. It has become a custom to stay up all night and
read and discuss the Torah to show HaShem that we are excited to
receive the Torah.
Confirmation
Shavuot is also a time that many reconfirm their commitment to Judaism.
Reform Jews and some others celebrate a confirmation ceremony in which
10th graders affirm their commitment to the Torah and to Judaism.
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