Shavuot 2018 begins at sunset on Saturday, May 19 and ends on the evening of Monday, May 21.
What is Shavuot?
Shavuot, the feast of weeks, is celebrated seven weeks after the second Passover seder. Although Shavuot began as an ancient grain harvest festival, the holiday has been identified since biblical times with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
Learn more about the history of Shavuot here.
What are some customs and practices for Shavuot?
– To commemorate the giving of the Torah at Sinai there is a tradition of staying up all night studying Jewish texts in what is called a tikkun.
– On Shavuot the Book of Ruth is read.
– Traditionally dairy foods are eaten on Shavuot.
– In order to mark the agricultural history of Shavuot, some decorate their house and synagogues with a floral theme.
