It is ironic that Shavuot is such a little-known holiday, given that it commemorates the single most important event in Jewish history – the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Shavuot occurs on the 6th of Sivan, the culmination of a seven-week period, "counting of the Omer," that occurs following Passover. The very name "Shavuot" means "weeks," in recognition of the weeks of preparation and anticipation leading up to the Sinai experience. Since Shavuot occurs 50 days after the first day of Passover, it is sometimes known as "Pentecost," a Greek word meaning "the holiday of 50 days." (Shavuot, however, has no connection to the Christian Pentecost holiday.)
Three millennia ago, after leaving Egypt on the day of Passover, the Jews traveled into the Sinai desert. There, the entire Jewish nation – 3 million men, women and children – directly experienced divine revelation:
God spoke to you from the midst of the fire; you were hearing the sound of words, but you were not seeing a form, only a sound. He told you of His covenant, instructing you to keep the Ten Commandments, and He inscribed them on two stone tablets. (Deut. 4:12-13)
The giving of the Torah was an event of awesome proportions that indelibly stamped the Jewish nation with a unique character, faith and destiny. And in the 3,300 years since, the Torah’s ideals – monotheism, justice, responsibility – have become the moral basis for Western civilization. In the words of U.S. President Calvin Coolidge, "The Hebraic mortars cemented the foundations of American democracy."
How to Celebrate
Shavuot is a full-fledged Yom Tov, and as such carries most of the same restrictions as on Shabbat – no driving, no writing, etc. The exception is that food preparation (e.g. cooking) is permitted. In Israel, Shavuot lasts one day; outside of Israel it is two days.
Perhaps the reason for the relative obscurity of Shavuot is because this holiday has no obvious "symbols" of the day – i.e. no Shofar, no Sukkah, no Chanukah Menorah.
On Shavuot, there are no symbols to distract us from the central focus of Jewish life: the Torah. So how do we commemorate Shavuot? It is a widespread custom to stay up the entire night learning Torah. And since Torah is the way to self-perfection, the Shavuot night learning is called Tikkun Leil Shavuot, which means "an act of self-perfection on the night of Shavuot."
Those who study all night then say the morning prayers at the earliest permitted time – thus expressing the enthusiasm of the Jewish people to receive the Torah. Most synagogues and yeshivot will organize special classes and lectures throughout the night of Shavuot.
At synagogue services on Shavuot morning, we read the biblical book of Ruth. Ruth was a non-Jewish woman whose love for God and Torah led her to convert to Judaism. The Torah intimates that the souls of eventual converts were also present at Sinai, as it says: "I am making [the covenant] both with those here today before the Lord our God, and also with those not here today." (Deut. 29:13)
Ruth has a further connection to Shavuot, in that she became the ancestor of King David, who was born on Shavuot, and died on Shavuot.
On Shavuot, it is customary to decorate the synagogue with branches and flowers. This is because Mount Sinai blossomed with flowers on the day the Torah was given. The Bible also associates Shavuot with the harvest of wheat and fruits, and marks the bringing of the first fruits to the Holy Temple as an expression of thanksgiving. (see Exodus 23:16, 34:22, Numbers 28:26)
On Shavuot morning, the Yizkor memorial prayer for the departed is also said.
Dairy Foods
There is a universal Jewish tradition of eating dairy foods on Shavuot. Various reasons have been suggested, among them:
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The Biblical book Song of Songs (4:11) refers to the sweet nourishing value of Torah by saying: "It drips from your lips, like honey and milk under your tongue."
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The verse in Exodus 23:19 juxtaposes the holiday of Shavuot with the prohibition of mixing milk and meat. On Shavuot, we therefore eat separate meals – one of milk and one of meat.
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Upon receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, the Jews immediately became obligated in the laws of Sh'chita – slaughter of animals. Since they did not have time to prepare kosher meat, they ate dairy instead.
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The numerical value of milk – chalav – is 40. This hints to the 40 days that Moses spent atop Mount Sinai, and the 40 years the Jews spent wandering the desert.
Pilgrimage to the Western Wall
In 1967, the Six Day War ended just a few days before Shavuot. Israel had reclaimed the Western Wall, and for the first time in 19 years Jews had access to the area surrounding the Temple Mount, Judaism's holy site. On Shavuot itself, the Western Wall first became open to visitors, and on that memorable day over 200,000 Jews journeyed by foot to the Western Wall. (In Jerusalem, no cars or buses run on Jewish holidays.)
In subsequent years, this "pedestrian pilgrimage" has become a recurring tradition. Early on Shavuot morning – after a full night of Torah learning – the streets of Jerusalem are filled with tens of thousands of Jews walking to the Western Wall.
This tradition has biblical precedence. Shavuot is one of Judaism's three main pilgrimage festivals, where the entire nation would gather in Jerusalem for celebration and study.
(30) Ruth Bleiman, May 26, 2020 7:14 PM
Interestingly explains Shavuot very well.
I am a little older than many of your readers (80), I attended a Hebrew elementary school .. there was no high school then... Of all the chagim,, Shavuot was the most difficult to understand. No longer.
(29) Hessel Meilech, April 22, 2020 6:37 PM
Three million people plus all their animals
It will be very interesting to figure out how long it would take three million people to cross the Red Sea.
How much water they would need per day.
How much Manna on Friday.
It took me 15 minutes on a calculator.
(28) ann hofman, May 31, 2019 2:21 AM
Thank you. I used this article to study with my partner in Torah
Thank you for your comprehensive articles and clear explanation.
(27) Phyllis, June 10, 2016 6:38 PM
Very Nice!
(26) Gwen. Bejamin, June 13, 2015 9:54 AM
Very ....Informative....To the point
Good...The Best
(25) aliza, May 20, 2015 8:46 AM
alzheimers & shavout
my mother has alzhiemers . how can I understand how to remind her of Shavout? Can a Mishbarach be said on shavout or just on Shabbat.How do we think about kabad et avecha when she is just out of it? I understand it is harder on me then it is on her.I know there really is no answer I just wish I could turn back the clock for all those times I never realized how important every moment was. Hasem yazor that we should find a cure soon. please say a Mishebarach or Adina bat Rivka. She is a seventh generation Israeli. To all who read this Cabed Et Avecha v'et Emecha before it is to late.
(24) Anonymous, June 4, 2014 1:19 PM
Great!
This is so helpful! Thank you so much for posting it!
(23) Anonymous, May 25, 2014 2:36 PM
Shavuot pilgrimage
We had pilgrimages every Regel (Succot, Pesach and Shavuot) before 1967 also. However, we went to Kever David(David's Tomb) by the thousands. I remember the festivity and excitement of a newly gathered nation going on Aliya L'regel to the best of our ability. My father came to Eretz Israel in 1946 and he got to go to the Kotel numerous times before the Jordanians took it over in the War of Independence. We did the next best thing and went to kever David every holiday to pray and light a candle and once when we were very lucky we were allowed upstairs to the second floor where we were able to look into the old city. Yes, we had pilgrimages too to the holiest site we had access to in those years, a very vibrant Kever David.
(22) jack david singer, May 13, 2013 4:31 PM
I know very little
My Grandfather Singer died when I was 14. I learned a lot, but there is a lot I don't know. Thank you for putting it out there, to be retived by such as me, Thank-you.
(21) Yvonne Crawford-Palmer, May 27, 2012 10:36 AM
very much needed information, thank you very much.
I was converted a year ago and I have much to learn but I give HASHEM thanks for HIS mercy and compassion in leading me to HIS truth and for men such as you who are willing to teach us HIS ways and help to enlighten us in HIS commandments. May HASHEM keep you strong, thank you very much.
(20) Peter, May 17, 2012 2:38 AM
Looking for English Tikkun Leil Shavuot
I have been searching high and low for a Hebrew/English version of theTikkun Leil Shavuot. I can find plenty of Hebrew-only books, but none with an English translation. Can anyone point me to where I could find one? Thanks!
Geoff, May 23, 2012 8:30 AM
A tikkun leil is an all-night study session where one learns Torah either by attending a shiur (lecture) or learning one-on-one and so I am not sure what you mean by a Hebrew/English version.
Tomer, May 24, 2012 5:48 PM
Tikun
Incorrect. The Tikun Leil Shavuot is the following: "Tikkun Leil Shavuot keeping with the custom of engaging in all-night Torah study, the Arizal, a leading Kabbalist of the 16th century, arranged a special service for the evening of Shavuot. The Tikkun Leil Shavuot ("Rectification for Shavuot Night") consists of excerpts from the beginning and end of each of the 24 books of Tanakh (including the reading in full of several key sections such as the account of the days of creation, The Exodus, the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Shema) and the 63 books of Mishnah. This is followed by the reading of Sefer Yetzirah, the 613 commandments as enumerated by Maimonides, and excerpts from the Zohar, with opening and concluding prayers. The whole reading is divided into thirteen parts, after each of which a Kaddish di-Rabbanan is recited when the Tikkun is studied in a group of at least ten Jewish, Bar Mitzvahed men. This service is printed in a special book, and is widely used in Eastern Sephardic, some German and Hasidic communities. There are similar books for the vigils before the seventh day of Pesach and Hosha'ana Rabbah."" learning in a shiur or one on one etc.. is nice.. but it is not the Tikun. The specific Tikun is a Takanah which Chachomim were Metaken.
(19) sher, June 11, 2011 12:53 PM
ten commandments
You know what fascinates me is this. How can a group of people coming out of Egypt, so primitive in modern day standards produce or pen the ten commandments other than with the help of a supernatural. Not that i dismiss the intelligence of the ancient Israelites, maybe they are a group more advanced than their neighbors, but ten laws that became the foundation of all morality in this universe??? Only a special people, with the help of the Almighty, that unique equation, can produce the ten commandments. A lot have been said, written, short clips done to dismiss the existence of a god. To me, Israel, its struggles, its Torah, the exodus, the ten commandments , these to me prove that there is a G-d.
Leah Rena, May 1, 2013 10:29 AM
Amen :)
Well said...
(18) linda porter, June 7, 2011 6:26 PM
combination of milk and meat
i would love to read about the deepest meaning of the separaion of milk and meat that causes one to eat separate meals. I first learned of this when i worked many years ago at beth israel hospital. i understand separation of the clean from the unclean but would like to know more about this.
Anonymous, May 21, 2012 4:52 PM
meat and milk separation
Hi Linda, The biblical source for not combining milk and meat is to not cook an animal in its mother's milk. This teaches us compassion in a sense. But there are deeper explanations certainly, and a knowledgeable Rabbi or Rebbetzin could certainly share more about this topic with you.
(17) Michael A. Semper, May 19, 2010 2:07 PM
Thank you!
I thank G-d for the Jewish people, giving the Torah to the world and the faithfullness of the Jewish people throughout the centuries. I also pray daily for the peace of Jerusalem and for G-d's 'completeness, prosperity or Shalom in my life. Michael (south shores of Lake Michigan)
(16) Marlene Wein, May 19, 2010 1:07 AM
What can be the significance of my son Henry's birthday on Shavuot
Henry has taught us much in his 31 years. As a person with severe disabilities, he seems to get much joy in watching us light the candles and say kiddush for this special holiday commemorating the giving of the torah!
(15) , May 17, 2010 6:02 PM
I love all the Jewish holidays and the combination of dairy and the book of Ruth is Joyful. Staying awake is pretty easy for me and I hope others find that for them on Shavuot night it will be easy too. Comfort food and Torah, what could be better? Kathy Carson
(14) Connie, May 17, 2010 4:42 PM
Thank you for teaching me
Thank you for teaching me. I am in the beginning steps of learning about our rich heritage.
(13) nina Rotikan, March 4, 2010 3:09 AM
i am really gratefully to read all the articles ...
(12) Beverly Kurtin, June 11, 2008 1:50 AM
Why is our religion different from all the others?
Shavout also marks the beginning of Judaism. Our is the only religion that was begun by Hashem himself, all other religions were begun by humans who claimed to hear G-d in private tell them that they were his chosen. Only we heard Hashem's own voice give us his commandments. No other religion can make that claim, only we heard Hashem.
(11) Helen Palm, May 21, 2007 10:06 AM
Ruth`s way
As an interested to convert to judaism like Ruth I think she is a good rolemodel.
It is a free choice to believe in G-D the
jewish way. For 4 years it has been my way.
(10) Anonymous, June 13, 2005 12:00 AM
An innacuracy
I enjoyed your article, but just wanted to correct one point. On Shabbat and holidays in Jerusalem, cars and taxis certainly do drive (on most of the streets). Public buses do not run until after Shabbat.
leah, June 3, 2019 1:49 PM
what if you can't walk?
What do people do if they are not able to walk? I am not bad enough to be in a wheel chair. My legs actually work but because of a car accident, I am unable to walk more the the length of 3 houses in our neighborhood. After that I am layed up for 2-3 days in excruciating pain. What do people do if they can't walk to synagogue?
(9) Ya'akov, June 12, 2005 12:00 AM
Chag sameach
Chag sameach in a liberated Yerushalayim
(8) Anonymous, June 6, 2005 12:00 AM
nice to include the English dates for those less informed.
Always a pleasure to read the ariticles - not just to read for myself but to share - as I often do.
Having as much support information as possible helps - ie the English dates, the translation of Hebrew words... thank you, Lenore Roberts
(7) Leslie, May 26, 2004 12:00 AM
This was a great article.
Thank you. There is so much I have
forgotten from Hebrew School so many years ago. I did not have to embarass myself by asking my Uncle about this holiday!
(6) STEVEN B, May 26, 2004 12:00 AM
Wish I could be at the Western Wall to commemorate Shavuot.
(5) Gioia T., May 25, 2004 12:00 AM
I am not jewish however, I have a foster son who is. This is very informative. It has helped me to have a better understanding. Thank you
(4) jennifer, May 23, 2004 12:00 AM
thank you
great article...
(3) Mary C, May 20, 2004 12:00 AM
Truely an informative site for the inquisitive mind
(2) shelley r, May 19, 2004 12:00 AM
Excellent summary of this important holiday
This helped me alot in knowing more about this holiday.
(1) Anonymous, January 23, 2004 12:00 AM
fantastic
wow this was really fascinating and helped me 2 get good marks on my homework