Shavuot/Pentecost (Sivan 6) begins at sunset Tuesday, May 18, 2010 and concludes at sunset Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Jews around the world will celebrate Shavuot. In the Jewish calendar, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews will celebrate Shavuot on sunset of Tuesday, the 18th of May.

Shavuot is the second of the three Jewish pilgrimage festivals (Shalosh Regalim) and occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (late May or June), 50 days after the second night of Passover. The 49 days in between are known as the Omer.

The Torah states that Shavuot is to be observed fifty days after Pesach. The Pharisees and the Sadducees of the first century differed in their respective approach to Shavuot. Their difference was centered upon exactly when to begin and when to complete the actual sefirah, or counting of the omer, or sheaf the Torah mentions. Still there was no debate between the Pharisees and the Sadducees concerning the obligatory religious nature of Shavuot and its great importance. Like the other two pilgrimage feasts of Torah, Shavuot was apparently widely observed by the Jewish people of the first century. Many would make the Divinely required pilgrimage to the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, for the observance of Shavuot. These religious pilgrims did not arrive in Jerusalem empty-handed; they brought with them a freewill, firstfruits offering for the Temple in proportion to the amount of blessing they had received from HaShem. The fact that these spiritual pilgrims from much of the then known world, including proselytes, came to celebrate and to freely give to HaShem during the feast of Shavuot is adequately attested to in the Besora Tova HaGeula (Good News of Redemption).

Ancient commemoration of Shavuot in the Temple era involved two major and special events: the offering of wheat and the offering of firstfruits. Torah explains: "you shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering". This unique offering was presented in conjunction with the prescribed peace and burnt offerings and was subsequently waved before HaShem. It is noteworthy that this was the only tune that an offering made of flour was with leaven or hametz.

Shavuot has both historical and agricultural significance. Historically, it commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah (which includes the Ten Commandments) to the entire Israelite nation assembled at Mount Sinai, and is also known as Hag Matan Torateinu (the Festival of the Giving of Our Torah). Agriculturally, it commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple in Jerusalem and is known as Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of the First Fruits). In the Bible, Shavuot is called the Festival of Weeks (Hebrew: חג השבועות, Ḥag ha-Shavuot, Exodus 34:22, Deuteronomy 16:10); Festival of Reaping (Hebrew: חג הקציר, Ḥag ha-Katsir, Exodus 23:16), and “Day of the First Fruits” (Hebrew יום הבכורים, Yom ha-Bikkurim, Numbers 28:26).

The Mishnah and Talmud refer to Shavuot as Atzeret (Hebrew: עצרת, a solemn assembly), as it provides closure for the festival activities during and following the holiday of Passover.

The Texts of Shavuot

The Giving of Torah: Exodus 19-20

The Commands of Shavuot: Leviticus 23:15-21; Deuteronomy 16:9-12, 16-17.

The Megillah (Scroll) To Be Studied for Shavuot: Ruth

The Next Step for Shavuot: Acts 2:1-13

The Traditions of Shavuot

Prepare and enjoy dairy dishes, especially we like to have cheesecake and cheese blintzes with fruit. Why dairy? I like the explanation that says it is because the Torah is like milk to us, sustaining and growing us.

Decorate with cut flowers. Why flowers? I like the explanation that says we are welcoming the Torah (and Spirit) with seasonal joy.

Read and discuss the book of Ruth. Why Ruth? It is a book set during the grain harvest.

The Book of Ruth (מגילת רות, Megillat Ruth) corresponds to the holiday of Shavuot both in its descriptions of the barley and wheat harvest seasons and Ruth’s desire to become a member of the Jewish people, who are defined by their acceptance of the Torah. Moreover, the lineage described at the end of the Book lists King David as Ruth’s great-grandson. According to tradition, David was born and died on Shavuot. In the synagogue, it is customary to read the book of Ruth because the story of Ruth embracing Judaism and the description of the scene of harvesting are apt for the festival of the Law and of the harvest, giving a picture of the harvest, and how the poor were treated in the harvest season with sympathy and love. Another reason given is that King David, a descendant of Ruth, died on Pentecost.

Stay up late (or all night if you want) reading Torah on the night of Shavuot. You can purchase a Tikkun Lel Shavuot or choose your own reading plan or read the first and last parts of each Torah portion.

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