Shavuot - the
Feast of Weeks
Shavuot is time when we celebrate the "Giving of the Torah." The holiday has a number of other names, such as "The Feast of Weeks" because we have finished counting
7 weeks and "Pentecost" because of the 50 days after Pesach.
It is also known as the "Festival of the Harvest" as it was the season of the wheat harvest, the last grain to ripen. All these names are found in the Torah: Exodus 34:22; Leviticus 23:15-16; Exodus 23:16; Numbers 28:26.
The name we know it most by, though, is "The Season for the Giving of the Torah." Exodus 19:8. Shavuot is when the Israelites were given the Torah and pledged their allegiance to G-d by saying: "All that the Lord has given, we shall do and obey," Exodus 24:7. It is the time of the revelation at Sinai, the giving of the Ten commandments or the "Ten Words."
Shavuot is one of the three holidays during which our ancestors walked to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and celebrate together. As God says in Exodus 23: 14-17 : `` Three times you are to hold pilgrimage for me, every year...At three points in the year are all your males to be seen before the presence of God."
Shavuot marks the beginning of the Church or the Body of Messiah when the Holy Spirit was given.
Acts 2: 1When the Day of Pentecost (50 days) had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.5And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
Customs on Shavuot
1. Decorating the Home and Synagogue -To maintain a link with the agricultural nature of the festival, it is customary to decorate the home and synagogue with beautiful flowers.
2. Dairy Dishes No on knows for sure why this custom arose. Perhaps it is because of the verse in the Song of Songs 4:11, ``honey and milk shall be under your tongue,'' referring to Torah. Cheese blintzes are on of the favorite foods for
Shavuot.
4. Reading the Book of Ruth The Book of Ruth is read for several reasons. In the story, Ruth arrives in the land of Israel around the time of
Shavuot. Her genealogy at the end of the book reveals that she is the great-grandmother of King David who died on
Shavuot. And her acceptance of our people and our traditions is comparable to receiving the Torah at Sinai.
This year will will have an Tavilah immersion service and picnic at the lake after the service! Join us! The lake is about 30 minutes from the synagogue off of I-840.
If anyone needs to be immersed please let us know!
We will be going to Bryant's Grove (Directions: PDF/Bryants Grove.pdf) about 30 minutes from CYY. Bring your outdoor chair. It is a beautiful recreation area with a swimming area, trails, and a playground. We will provide hamburgers and Kosher Hot Dogs. Please bring side dishes, drinks and deserts to share.
If you are wanting to be immersed bring bring swim shoes, a towel and a change of clothes. Ladies, we suggest wearing a sweatshirt type top. If you want to swim, bring swim wear, float, sunscreen and bug spray.
