Seven weeks after Passover, in accordance with the Torah (Vayikra 23:15-16, 21 and Devarim 16:20), the Jewish people celebrate the Festival of Weeks, or Hag HaShavuot. When the Har HaBayit (Temple) was still standing, Shavuot, along with Passover and Succoth, was one of the shalosh regalim (three pilgrim holidays) on which all Jewish male adults who were able to do so were required to come to Jerusalem to make the Temple sacrifice of the firstfruits, where the first loaves from the new grain were offered on the altar.

The Good News of Messiah recalls something very remarkable which took place during this festival in the year that our Holy Rabbi, Maran Yeshua ascended to the shamayim to wait for the final redemption. Jews and proselytes from throughout the known world were gathered at Jerusalem. The talmidim or disciples of our Rabbi, Maran Yeshua HaMashiach were there too. According to the second chapter of the book of Ma’asei Hashlichim (the acts of the emissaries), they were all gathered at one house (We believe to be the Har HaBayit / Temple), when there was a sudden sound like a violent wind, then something that looked like tongues of fire came down and rested on each of them, and they began to prophecy in languages they had never learned. Hearing the noise, many of the out-of-towners came around to investigate, and were astonished to hear this crew of mostly uneducated Galileans speaking the various languages of their respective countries (It was not gibberish), everyone present heard the message of King Messiah in the language with which he was most familiar. Amazed, the people began to ask each other what all this could mean. One of the Talmidm (Kefa – Peter) proceeded to tell them everything that had taken place concerning the one called Maran Yeshua. His entire speech is recorded in Ma’asei Hashlichim 2:14-36. Here’s an outline of the major points: This event is a fulfillment of prophecy. (Ma’asei Hashlichim 2:16, Joel 2:28-32). God had accredited Maran Yeshua of Nazareth by miracles which Kefa’s audience had witnessed. (Ma’asei Hashlichim 2:22) Maran Yeshua had been handed over (betrayed) to them (the murderous mob, the ones who shouted "Give us Bar-Aba!") and died on a stake as a part of Hashem’s plan. (2:23) God raised him from the dead, in accordance with Biblical prophecy. (2:24-31) Kefa and the other Talmidim were eyewitnesses to their Rabbi’s resurrection. (2:32) Maran Yeshua had been exalted to the right hand of God. (2:33) It was the Ruach haKodesh which Maran Yeshua had promised who had "poured out" what the crowd was seeing and hearing that day. (2:33) Conclusion: God had made our holy Rabbi, Maran Yeshua both Adon (lord) and Mashiach. (2:36).

"What should we do?" the crowd exclaimed, and Kefa said: "Repent, and be Tevila (immerse), every one of you, in the name of Maran Yeshua HaMashiach for the forgiveness of your sins." — Ma’asei Hashlichim 2:38 that day, three thousand native-born Jewish people and proselytes (non-Jews) did exactly that. Shavuot. (Mashiach did not invent a new religion, he told them to do a very Jewish thing, which was to immerse as we do till this very day) Today the harvest is coming to an end, Mashiach is to come back very soon.

Would you be counted as one who has been harvested by the hand of God for Mashiach’s sake? Would you do Teshuva (Repent) and ask HaKodesh Baruch Hu (the Holy One blessed be He) if our Rabbi, Maran Yeshua is the Holy Mashiach of Israel? Would you have Emuna (Faith) in Him (HaKodesh Baruch Hu)?

This year, shavuout will be celebrated: Thu, 28 May 2009 at sundown.