Blog: Ari Enkin 13 - Shavuot 5766

28 Elul 5770

September 7 2010

Shavuot

Due to the holiday of Shavuot, there will be no “Parsha of the Week” this week in the Diaspora where Shavuot overrides Shabbat. But in Israel where Shavuot concludes before Shabbat begins- the parshas continue! Yup, the Diaspora is thus ‘behind’ Israel, as always.

Shavuot is the second, of the Torah’s “Shalosh Regalim” - Three Festivals. While there are other holidays throughout the year, including those when work is forbidden, it is only the holidays of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot that are defined as festivals. The common denominator between them, to the exclusion of all others, was (is?) the requirement to appear and celebrate the holiday in Jerusalem.

While from a truly scriptural perspective Shavuot is little more than an agricultural holiday, the Talmud points out that it was also the day the Torah was given. Well, not exactly. Believe it or not, there is actually some doubt as to when the Torah was truly given!

The Talmud (Shabbat 86) presents two views on the issue: it was given either on the 6^th or 7^th of Sivan. As such, one will notice that in the prayers, Shavuot is nowhere referred to as “The day of the giving of the Torah” but rather, “The time/season of the giving of the Torah”.

Shavuot Customs:

Among the may beloved customs of Shavuot is the decorating of the home and synagogue with fresh greenery. This recalls the miraculous growth of beautiful plants and flowers in the Sinai desert in honor of the imminent giving of the Torah. Additionally, tradition has it that Moshe’s rescue in infancy from his cruise-along-the-Nile took place on Shavuot. The Torah points out that the area was full of reeds - greenery.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no mitzva of the Torah to consume obscene amounts of Cheesecake over the course of the holiday. The custom of eating dairy has many sources, my favorite among them: When the Torah was given, along with it came the mitzvah of kosher slaughter as well. As previously rules concerning kosher slaughter were not observed (because they didn’t exist) the Jewish people were then forced to accept that all their meats and dishes were now treif! Only dairy could have been quickly and easily prepared for eating that day. Furthering this idea, some commentators suggest that Shavuot is the holiday which represents perfection in the mitzva of separating milk and meat. As such, common custom is to have both meat and dairy meals over Shavuot while meticulously ensuring that all required separation and regulations are met.

All night Torah study is another popular, but tiresome custom of Shavuot. On the day the Torah was to be given, the Jewish people overslept! To atone for this misdeed, it has become customary to stay up until the crack of dawn, and at the same time, pray the morning, Shacharit service, with the sunrise, which, by the way, is considered the ideal time for the Shacharit prayers every day!

The book of Ruth is read in most synagogues on Shavuot following the reading of the Torah. The reason for this is that the story of Ruth took place during the Shavuot season. Furthermore, the story of Ruth is essentially one of a woman who went through great lengths and challenges to convert to Judaism and loyally observe the entire Torah. It is a message for us as well on Shavuot to learn from Ruth and to renew our commitment to Torah observance as well.