Primer:
Shavuot
Shavuot, the Feast of
“Weeks,” is celebrated seven weeks after Pesach (Passover). Since the counting
of this period (sefirat ha-omer) begins
on the second evening of Pesach, Shavuot takes place exactly 50 days after the
(first) seder. Hence, following the Greek word for “fifty,” Shavuot is also
referred to sometimes as Pentecost. Although its origins are to be found in an
ancient grain harvest festival, Shavuot has been identified since biblical
times with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
History: Shavuot combines two major religious
observances. First is the grain harvest of the early summer. Second is the
giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai seven weeks after the exodus from Egypt. The
first determines the ritual for the holiday, which was one of the three
pilgrimage festivals of ancient Israel, when Israelite males were commanded to
appear before God in Jerusalem, bringing offerings of the first fruits of their
harvest. The second determines the significance of the holiday for Judaism,
tying it in with the seminal event of Jewish religious memory, namely the
entering into a covenant between God and Israel, exemplified by Israel’s
assumption of Divine law.
At Home: Since Shavuot is an ancient pilgrimage
holiday, it is not surprising that its ritual focuses on the community.
Nonetheless, there are a number of customs associated with personal practice.
Chief among them is the eating of dairy products on Shavuot. Although the
reasons for this custom are not completely clear, it has become traditional to
eat milk and cheese products as part of the celebration of Shavuot.
In the Community: Much of the observance of the
holiday centers on the synagogue and its rituals. The special readings for the
holiday include medieval poems (piyyutim) and the Book of Ruth. A number
of reasons are given for the inclusion of the latter. Among them are that the
book takes place at the time of the barley harvest, that Ruth’s assumption of
Naomi’s religion reflects the Israelites’ acceptance of the Torah at Sinai, and
that King David, who is alleged to have died at this time of year according to
rabbinic tradition, is mentioned at the end of Ruth. Another tradition is to
participate in a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an all-night study session marking
the holiday. And finally, Shavuot is one of the holidays on which both Hallel,
the Psalms of Praise, is recited and Yizkor, the memorial service, is
observed.
Themes and Theology: By associating an ancient
holiday of the grain harvest with the exodus from Egypt, Jewish tradition has
imbued Shavuot with religious significance derived from the foundational event
in Jewish historical consciousness. In the specific case of Shavuot, this takes
the form of the entering into a covenant or formal agreement between God and
Israel at Mount Sinai. This is a joyous time, since it is the moment at which
God and Israel entered into a figurative marriage with each other, the hopeful
springtime of their relationship.
