In Israel, Shavuot is
celebrated only for one day - on the 6th day of the Hebrew month of Sivan
(This year on May 20.) In the Diaspora, Jews celebrate it for two days. The
Christian holiday of Pentecost always falls on the 7th Sunday after
Easter which in 2018, is on the same Sunday as Shavuot.
The Hebrew word for Shavuot
means “weeks” and refers to the counting of seven weeks from the second day of
the Pesach (Passover) holiday. This period is called the “Counting of
the Omer”. Shavuot is the only Pilgrim festival of which the Bible
doesn’t give a specific date on which to celebrate.
The Festival has different names:
à Chag
Shavuot (Festival of Weeks)
à Chag ha Katsir (Reaping holiday)
à Yom ha Bikkurim (day of first fruits)
à Pentecost (Greek for 50)
According to a certain stream in Judaism: Torah
must be reshit (first). This is linked to a set of customs, whose first
letters form the word “acharit” (last).
1. Akdamot - a liturgical poem, read in synagogue.
2. Chalav - milk. The Rabbis reasoned that because the
Israelites didn’t have time to prepare meat for Shavuot, they only
consumed dairy products. It’s a popular custom to eat cheese cake and blintzes
(pancakes filled with cheese) during Shavuot.
3. Ruth - the scroll of Ruth is read in synagogues. She became
a member of the Jewish people by accepting the Torah. Converts to
Judaism are honoured at this time. Tradition tells us that King David (form the
line of Boaz and Ruth) was born and died on Shavuot. Many people visit
his grave on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.
4. Yerek - greenery. Homes and synagogues
are decorated with greenery. The bimah* (platform) where the Torah
readings take place now looks like a chuppah* (wedding canopy). Moses,
the matchmaker, brought the Jewish people (bride) to the chuppah (Mount
Sinai) to marry the bridegroom (God). The Torah was the ketubah* (wedding
contract).
5. Torah study (all night). Hourly subjects
are taught by different teachers and ‘the night passes like a dream’.
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