Alice
"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will"
Shavuot
Bianca D. Jee Woo P. Deborah P. Alice C.
Shavuot
Hebrew word: "weeks'
It marks the completion of the 7-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot.
Shavu'ot (the Festival of Weeks) is the 2nd of the 3 major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two being Passover and Sukkot).
This year, in 2015, it took place on the weekend of Saturday May 23rd.
Next year, in 2016, it will take place on the weekend of Saturday June 11th.
1. AGRICULTURALLY IT COMMEMORATES THE TIME OF OFFERING of THE FIRST FRUITS TO GOD
2. HISTORICALLY, IT CELEBRATES THE GIVING OF THE TORAH AT MOUNT SINAI
Why?
Shavuot commemorates two major religious observances.
1. Shavout is the grain harvest of the early summer
It commemorates the time when male Israelites were commanded to appear before God in a temple in Jerusalem, bringing the first fruits of their harvest as their offerings
1. Shavout is the grain harvest of the early summer
IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS HAG HA-BIKKURIM
(THE FESTIVAL OF FRESH FRUITS)
2. IT ALSO COMMEMORATES THE GIVING OF THE TORAH ON MOUNT SINAI
2. The Giving of the Torah
It marks the giving of Torah on Mount Sinai
It is also known as Hag Matan Torateinu
(The festival of giving of the Torah)
This was a very significant and meaningful event as on this day God swore eternal devotion to the Jews and in return they promised everlasting loyalty to him
1st day of Shavuot
1. Stay up all night learning Torah
2. All men, women, children go to the synagogue to read the 10 commandments
Spiritual celebrations
2nd day of Shavuot
1. the Yizkor memorial service is recited
2. Some communities read the Book of Ruth publicly
3. Women and girls light holiday candles to usher in the holiday on both days
Synagogues are decorated with greenery and flowers
first fruits ceremony at the temple
- family carries basket of fruits to the temple of Jerusalem (filled with Israel’s seven fruits that were mentioned in Deuteronomy 8:8: wheat, barley, vines, fig, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey.)
- AKA Bikkurim (first produce of the season)
- Kohanim (Temple priests) would help each person say the bikkurim prayer.
- All fruits and most of the baskets were presented to the kohanim as gifts.
Giving away a first fruit is a true gift. Farmers worked really hard to grow the first fruit. So to let these first fruits go to the Temple took a measure of self-sacrifice. To give first fruits (your time, your energy, your love) is a holy act.
Food
DAIRY FOODS
- Once the Jews accepted the Torah, they became obligated in the laws of kosher. But since they were not yet familiar with the laws regarding animal slaughter, they ate dairy.
- Receiving the Torah was a form of rebirth. We celebrate this newness by consuming baby food. Namely, milk.
- Shavuot coincided with the time when the lambs and calves born in the spring would be suckling. Therefore an abundance of dairy products were available.
- In the Torah the Jewish people are promised a "Land flowing with milk and honey." Dairy meals recall this lyrical description of Israel.
"It is customary to eat a dairy meal at least once during Shavuot."
Food
Blintzes
dessert/breakfast
Pancakes with various fillings, called “palacsinta”. (Normally filled with cheese (dairy) or sweet fruit fillings.)
Ten Commandments
SYMBOls
Moses received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Although there are more than ten (613), these are the main ones highlighted by Moses.
These commandments are included in the Torah along with other scriptures. On Shavuot, Jews study the Torah religiously to remember and commemorate the giving of Torah.
SYMBOls - flowers
Remember how Mount Sinai was decorated when the Torah was received.
Interesting
There are many names for Shavout
In the Talmud, Shavuot is also called "Atzeret"
Other biblical names: "Yom Habikurim" - Day of the First Fruits.
"Chag HaKatzir" - Harvest Festival.
FACTs
People wear white/ new clothes on these days
New/ White clothes symbolizes purity
ceremony of confirmations are usually held right before Shavuot
Just as the Jewish people accepted the Torah on Shavuot, so do teens (confirmands) reaffirm their commitment to the covenant and adult Jewish life.
Did you Know?
Shavuot is the only Jewish holiday with a dairy menu.
The Bible refers to Israel as “the land of milk and honey,”
so on Shavuot, the country puts world-famous dairy in the spotlight.
On shavuot, people study through the night
For centuries, it has been customary to study through the night as payback for the Israelites’ error in oversleeping on the morning they were supposed to receive the Torah
Shavuots is all about Water Fights
Presumably because the Torah is often linked to water. In many Israeli cities, children gather for impromptu water-gun and water-balloon wars in the streets, public squares and parks.
Summary video
Thanks for listening/watching!!
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By Alice
