|
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. Scholl 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.
|
