Shavuot

Shavuot History

Shavuot, also known as the Festival of Weeks, is a significant Jewish holiday celebrated in Israel. This day is observed seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot celebrates the harvest season and the first fruits of the year, as well as the giving of the Torah to the Israelites on Mount Sinai.

According to the Hebrew Bible, Shavuot traces its origins to the time when the Israelites received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai, following their Exodus from Egypt. The festival has a dual purpose, commemorating the agricultural bounty of the spring harvest as well as the receiving of God's wisdom in the Torah. The holiday is particularly special in Israel as the land itself holds much historical and spiritual significance, enriching the overall experience of Shavuot.

During the observance of Shavuot, communities gather to study the Torah and participate in all-night study sessions known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot. Customary foods are prepared using dairy products for festive meals to symbolize the sweetness of the Torah. Homes are adorned with greenery and flowers to represent the fertile land of Israel. Shavuot typically occurs on the 6th of Sivan in the Hebrew calendar, which falls in late May or early June in the Gregorian calendar.

Shavuot (Starts) facts

• It is customary in Orthodox and some traditional communities to partake in Bible/Jewish Law lessons throughout the eve and night of Shavuot. This is in order to accept the Torah for their generation. In Jerusalem, many people learn the whole night through until dawn and then walk to the Western Wall at sunrise and pray the morning and festival prayer from around 5-8 am. Thereafter, they go home for a hearty festive breakfast and then sleep the rest of the morning.
• The Book of Ruth is read in the Synagogue in the Morning of Shavuot. Ruth converted to Judaism and it is her descendant, David, who became King in Israel. The book of Ruth demonstrates that achieving a high level in Judaism, is neither ethnic nor genetic.
• The word "Shavuot" means "weeks" in Hebrew, referring to the seven weeks of the counting of the Omer between the two holidays.
• The Hebrew word Shavuot means weeks, referring to the counting of the seven weeks from Passover to Shavuot known as the Counting of the Omer. This counting connects the Exodus from Egypt (Passover) to the receiving of the Torah (Shavuot).
• Shavuot is also associated with the harvest season in Israel. It marks the start of the wheat harvest and the end of the barley harvest, making it an important agricultural festival.

In the News and Trending in Israel for Shavuot

Top things to do in Israel for Start of Shavuot

• Visit Mount Sinai (Egypt) or Israel.
• Watch a movie to learn about Shavuot and Jewish cultrue in Israel. Our top picks include:
  1. The Secrets of Shavuot (2017) - This documentary explores the history, prayers, and customs of Shavuot in Israel and the Jewish diaspora. It focuses on the rich cultural heritage of this holiday and its significance in Jewish life.
  2. The Seven Festivals of the Messiah (Film Series) - This educational film series covers all of the major Jewish festivals, including Shavuot. It provides in-depth information on the biblical and historical backgrounds of these holidays and their applications today. The episode specifically about Shavuot is titled The Feast of Weeks.
  3. Shavuot: The Appointed Time (2013) - This documentary delves into the biblical and historical background of Shavuot and examines its meaning for Jews today. It features interviews with scholars, rabbis, and community leaders discussing the significance of this holiday.
• Attend the Mount Herzl Ceremony. On the eve of Shavuot, a state ceremony takes place at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem to honor the memories of Theodor Herzl and other prominent Zionist leaders.