We’ve just passed the holiday of חג האביב-The Spring holiday, commonly called Passover or פסח. We observe at Passover the exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt. But we also note that group leaving Egypt was a very long way from being unified, from feeling peoplehood, let alone nationhood. At best they are a rabble, loosely lead by Moses. But 50 days after the 2nd Seder, something happens. We count each day until we arrive at 50.

On the 50th day, we have another holiday. It goes by many names, given we’ve counted 7 weeks and a day, it is commonly called חג השבועות-the holiday of the weeks or the feast of weeks or Shavuot… And in recognition of our people’s deep ties to agriculture, Shavuot is also called חג הקציר-Holiday of the reaping (Harvest) and also commonly יום הבכורים-Day of the 1st fruits, the harvest of the 1st fruits of the springtime. My wife Judy will share with you that on her kibbutz and on kibbutzim around Israel, Shavuot is a major event. There are parades of the farm equipment and tractors, the first fruits harvested are displayed and the children take part in the parades. In Biblical times, the grain harvest took place start about Passover and continued for just about 7 weeks. To bring in the harvest, to be assured of grain to make bread, was a huge matter and when the harvest was done, it was something to be celebrated.

Unlike other holidays and observances mentioned in Torah, there is not an exact date for Shavuot. We are merely told it’s 50 days after Passover. With the standardized calendar now in use, we start counting those 50 days from the evening of 2nd Seder. Shavuot is one of the 3 Pilgrimage festivals when people would travel to Jerusalem to make a sacrifice at the Temple.

For me, what I find of such importance is that on Shavuot our tradition tells us that “revelation” occurred at Mt Sinai and the people received Torah and the 10 Commandments. Both represent the words of G1d transmitted and recorded by his servant Moses. In this process of receiving and accepting Torah, the rabble that left Egypt weeks earlier, began the process of becoming a true nation. Receiving Torah and the law worked to unite the people into becoming a nation. There has evolved a tradition of staying up all night and study. Why all night? To make sure we don’t miss Torah being given and we don’t sleep thru it. Also, we value study and learning. It is a holiday dedicated to the study of Torah and its many aspects. It is a day where we enjoy learning and milchik desserts, classically we enjoy cheesecake ( and alot of it). Why cheesecake and why milchik?? To find out, join me at Shavuot services on May 23rd. It will be Shabbat, Shavuot and will include a Yizkor service. That’s on Saturday May 23rd at 10AM

See you there,

Rabbi Ron