What is the story behind Shavuot?

Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) commemorates the revelation of the Torah on Mt. Sinai to the Jewish people, and occurs on the 50th day after the 49 days of counting the Omer. Shavuot is one of the three biblically based pilgrimage holidays known as the shalosh regalim. It is associated with the grain harvest in the Torah.

Why is the holiday called Shavuot?

Shavuot, the plural of a word meaning “week” or “seven,” alludes to the fact that this festival happens exactly seven weeks (i.e. “a week of weeks”) after Passover.

What two things are celebrated on the holiday of Shavuot?

The holiday celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai as well as the grain harvest for the summer. In biblical times, Shavuot was one of three pilgrimage festivals in which all the Jewish men would go to Jerusalem and bring their first fruits as offerings to God.

What does the holiday of Shavuot celebrate?

This evening at sundown Jews all over the world will celebrate a holiday called Shavuot also known as “feast of weeks” which commemorates the revelation of the Torah on Mt. Sinai to the Jewish people. “The Torah was given by G-d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai on Shavuot more than 3,300 years ago.

Why is Shavuot so important?

Shavuot is a Jewish celebration that gives thanks for the Torah . Jews believe that the Torah is given to them to act as a guide for their lives. Shavuot remembers the time that God spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai and gave him the Ten Commandments and other laws.

What do you eat on Shavuot?

On the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, meals usually finish with cheesecake. Here are other delectable delights for your holiday menu.

  • Cheese blintzes are a traditional Shavuot dish.
  • Noodle kugel photo via onceuponachef.com.
  • Orange blossom-scented strudel cookies.
  • Photo of white spinach lasagna via thebakerchick.com.

Why do we eat dairy on Shavuot?

But once the Torah was handed down, the passages containing the phrase “Land of Milk and Honey” (e.g., Exodus 3:8) made their consumption permissible. Thus we eat dairy products to commemorate the fact that on Shavuot, God allowed us to eat these.

What are the symbols of Shavuot?

Symbols. An important symbol of Shavuot is the Bikkurim, or first fruits. This was a basket of gold or silver that contained the first harvest of the Seven Species crops and was carried to the Temple in Jerusalem in a procession accompanied by music.

Can we cook on Shavuot?

Shavuot is a holiday on which traditional Jews do not do certain categories of “work”, for example using electricity, riding in cars, writing, and using the telephone. In this way it is similar to Shabbat. However, cooking and carrying, which are not allowed on Shabbat, are allowed on this holiday.

What is not allowed on Shavuot?

Shavuot is a holiday on which traditional Jews do not do certain categories of “work”, for example using electricity, riding in cars, writing, and using the telephone.

Why do we eat cheesecake at Shavuot?

The Jewish people eat cheesecake. Every year during Shavuot, which celebrates God’s giving of the Torah to the Jews, many of their descendants enjoy a slice or two of creamy cheese custard atop a crusty bed of buttery graham cracker crumbs.