|
 |
Shopping |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Shavuot |
|---|
Shavuot (weeks), also known as Pentecost (the 50th day), is held at the end of 49 day
(7 week) period of Omer. Among Orthodox and Conservative Jews Shavuot is a two day holiday
which is observed on the 6th and 7th days of Sivan (May-June). Israelis and Reform Jews,
however, only celebrate Shavuot on the 6th.
Traditionally, Shavuot marked the beginning of the wheat harvest. During the Temple period,
Jews would make an offering of two loaves of wheat bread to God on this day. Beginning in the
second century, however, Shavuot was transformed into a historic festival to commemorate the
anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. This process of transforming
agricultural festivals into holidays commemorating important historical events was common
during this period and was not limited to Shavuot. Sukkot, for example, is observed both as
an agricultural festival and in commemoration of the period when the Jews wandered through
the desert and lived in sukkot (booths).
In the observance of Shavuot, specific scriptures are read in the synagogue. On the first
day of Shavuot Exodus 19:1-20:26, which recounts the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount
Sinai, is read from the Torah while Ezekiel 1-2 makes up the Haftarah. Habakkuk's prayer is
the Haftarah for the second day. The Book of Ruth is also read during Shavuot. Scholars have
put forth many reasons for why the Book of Ruth is read on this holiday. One of them is that
the events which took place in this biblical text are believed to have taken place around
Shavuot.
Specific customs have developed surrounding the observance of Shavuot. Some individuals,
for example, eat dairy products on this holiday since the Torah is often compared to milk.
In addition, it is customary in some communities to decorate the synagogue with trees and
flowers. The flowers symbolize the belief that Mount Sinai was a green mountain while the
trees symbolize the idea that Shavuot (at least during the Temple period) was the
"judgment day" for agricultural products.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judaica Store Home
Site Map