Tomorrow night begins our festival of Shavuot.

Shavuot means “weeks” inasmuch as it occurs seven weeks after Passover. In those seven weeks there is intense concentration on the agricultural aspects of Israel, both ancient and modern. 

   There is more to this agricultural focus. With the dry season beginning – a season that will not end until later in September or early October, a rich harvest has to be guaranteed, at least hoped for. Thus, the emphasis on the land, and in kibbutzim, Jewish homes in both Israel and around the world, and in synagogues as well, flowers and plants – more than usual – are used for decoration. 

   In today’s Jewish world the evening of Shavuot is traditionally spent in study, tikun leil Shavuot. One reason for this custom is related to the other emphasis on Shavuot. We are told that revelation occurred on this day; that not only did God offer the Torah to Moses and our People (the tablets of the Ten Commandments being a symbol of the entire Torah) but the Children of Israel accepted it…you can give something, but it has to be accepted. Their acceptance was indicated with the words Na’aseh v’nishmah, “We shall do and we shall heed/hear.” By studying sacred texts as well as other subjects dealing with our tradition, we of this generation are also proclaiming Na’aseh v’nishmah. Reform Judaism “invented” Confirmation – initially to replace Bar Mitzvah (no Bat Mitzvah was around back then), but then as a complement to it so as to keep our Children of Israel around the synagogue for another few years.

   As Jews we make a big deal about food. Each holiday has its special dishes. For Shavuot we eat dairy products to symbolize how Torah nourishes us as does milk. As I mentioned last year at this season, my mother made a drop-dead cheesecake around now. Since we were on a perpetual diet in my home, she made it only near Shavuot. She wasn’t exactly sure why it should be so, but she knew it should be so, so it was so! 

   Just as there are real similarities between Chanukah and Christmas, Passover and Easter, the “twin” Christian holiday for Shavuot is Pentecost. The parallel is that we say we received the Torah via Moses from God on Shavuot. Pentecost celebrates the appearance of the Holy Spirit. Both occur seven weeks after Pesach and Good Friday.

Chag Shavuot Sameach, Have a joyous Shavuot festival! Eat blintzes, cheesecake, cheese danish, sour cream atop anything you put sour cream…and bring flowers home for your table.