Holidays - Shavuot

As is true of all Jewish holidays, the festival of Shavout has many layers of meaning. Originally the conclusion to the barley harvest (begun at Pesah), Shavout was initially an agricultural holiday that was celebrated at the Temple in Jerusalem. With the destruction of the Temple, the significance of the holiday changed and expanded. Rabbinic sages determined that exactly seven weeks (Shavout literally means "weeks") elapsed between the exodus from Egypt and the revelation at Sinai. Shavout, they taught, was z’man matan Torateinu, the day that commemorates the giving of the Torah on Sinai.

Today, Shavout is marked with special prayers, foods, the reading of Megillat Rut (the biblical Book of Ruth) and most importantly, the unique custom of Tikkun Leil Shavout (an all night Torah study session). For more information on the mitzvot of Shavout, further insight into the revelation on Mt. Sinai, recipes for the holiday and more, explore the articles and links below. Additional resources are available in the Beth El library and from the rabbis.

Additional Resources

MyJewishLearning.com - Gateway to Jewish Exploration

JewishEncyclopedia.com - Online Jewish Encyclopedia

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life