Posted on Jun 25, 2024
Let’s face it: Though Shavuot (or Shavuos) is one of the three [shalosh] regalim, the three major Jewish holidays, it’s less likely to be observed than the other two, Passover and Sukkot. Together, these holidays are the three “foot” or pilgrimage holidays. (Regel, singular for regalim, means “foot.”) In the “olden” days, Jews traveled on foot to get to the Beit Hamikdash in Jerusalem.
What are we celebrating? Shavuot, also known as Z’man Matan Torahtaynu, the time of the giving of the Torah, commemorates the time when the Jews received the Torah from God at Mount Sinai. The word shavuot actually means “weeks”—and it comes seven weeks after the celebration of Passover. The Hebrew word for “seven”—sheva—comes from the same root word as weeks, probably because there are seven days in a week.
Seven has other connections to Jewish life. We talk about the seven days of creation. For those who hold the tradition, a bride walks around her groom seven times under the chuppah, the marriage canopy.
How can we make this holiday more meaningful to us and our families? Clearly the best way to make a holiday meaningful is to learn what we’re celebrating and find ways to incorporate the symbols and customs of the holiday into our lives.
The first thing you need to know is when the holiday begins. On the Hebrew calendar, Shavuot comes on the same dates every year, the 6th and 7th of Sivan. Here are some suggestions for what you can do to make this holiday more special for you.
Are there any more recent traditions connected to Shavuot? In some synagogues, it is traditional to hold Confirmation ceremonies on Shavuot. These events allow teenagers to reaffirm their commitment to the Torah. This evokes both the concept of Z’man Matan Torahtaynu, the season of receiving Torah at Sinai, and Ruth’s pledge of allegiance to the Jewish people, as we read in Megillat Ruth. Some synagogues also choose to officially welcome Jews by choice to their congregations on Shavuot for the same reasons.
Observing the holidays is a mitzvah but if you can share your observance with others, in any way, you will truly make it a celebration. According to tradition, we ALL stood at Sinai, ready to receive the Torah. Now that’s something to celebrate!
