Cortesy of The Jewish Magazine
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Cortesy of The Jewish Magazine
Eliezer Cohen
SHAVUOTH - THE FESTIVAL of TORAH & FIRST FRUITS
What is Shavuoth? - What's it all about?
Shavuoth is one of Major Jewish Religious Holydays. What do we all do?
The custom is to stay awake all night reading and learning the Torah.
Durring the day the Book of Ruth is read.
On the evening of Shavuot there is the custom of staying awake the whole night of Shavuot studying Torah called Tikkun Leyl Shavuot (the Repair of the Night of Shavuot), as if eagerly anticipating receiving the Torah.
Anything special to eat?
Of course! On Shavuoth, it is customary to eat a milk meal and to eat
new fruits.
It is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot, and blintzes and cheesecake are particular favorites.
Why a milk meal?
The reason is that before the Torah was given to the Jewish People, it
was permited to eat milk and meat together. Once the Torah was given it
became forbidden. What did those folks out there in the desert do for food
on that day since their pot and pans became forbidden since they
previously cooked meat and dairy together? They could not slaughter and
cook an animal, so they eat cheese and milk which required no preparation.
We recall this by eating a strictly dairy meal.
The reason for this tradition is uncertain. Some attribute this custom to the verse that compares the Torah to milk and honey. Another explanation is that upon receiving the Torah the Israelites were required to eat only kosher meat, and since it takes time to slaughter and prepare meat in this manner, they initially ate only dairy meals after the revelation at Sinai.
Anything else unusual?
Yes, it is the custom to decorate the synagouge and house with greens,
(branches from trees and shrubs, and flowers). This recalls the feeling of
being outdoors in the desert. (Listen, eventhough it was a desert, there
were some greens, but if you insist, go ahead and decorate your house with
sand!)
Shavuoth commemerates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. It was on
this date some 3300 years ago. It also celebrates the beginning of the
harvest and the first fruits were brought to the Temple in Jerusalem
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Other Topics about Shavuoth:
 What is Shavuoth? (Russian)
 Shavuoth: Three name of the holiday (Russian)
Let's talk about cheese... (Russian)
Sources of Culture of Rambam on Torah Learning (Russian)
Two special Shavuos Breads (Russian)
The book of Ruth (Russian) Jewish Concept of Time (Russian) |
The Festival of Torah & First Fruits (English)
Ruth - convert & mother of the House of David (English) A Yom Tov thought: Pesach, Shavuoth & Sukkoth (English) |
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Last update: May 25, 2003
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