More Than Cheesecake! The Meaning of Shavuot

A few years ago in a conversation with a local rabbi I got a sad reality check. "Shavuot is probably the least observed of all Jewish holidays. I was shocked! But the more we talked, the more I had to agree with him. Synagogue attendance is much lower than on the High Holidays. There is no "home friendly" ritual like lighting the Hanukkah menorah. And in the United States Shavuot has the unfortunate distinction of occurring near the American Memorial Day holiday. Many American Jews prefer to picnic instead of sitting in synagogue celebrating a holiday that they really don't understand.

Bringing Our "First Fruits"

Sadly those of us who"skip" Shavuot miss one of the most meaningful of all Jewish holidays. In Temple times Shavuot was identified with the Festival of First Fruits. The early benefits of the spring harvest were packaged ornately and ceremoniously brought into the Temple in Jerusalem. The great theme of First Fruits was thankfulness and rejoicing. As I write this entry we are still trying to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic. Many of us are still required to stay home except for essential travel. In some areas there are still shortages of some foods and other essentials. Yet there is still cause for us to be grateful! We can be grateful that we still have life. We should be grateful for the diligence of the front line workers who make life not only possible but bearable. All of these and many more blessings are ours because of God's grace. God gives us knowledge and wisdom. Food, medicines, even their air that we breathe are available because He is the Creator! As we prepare for Shavuot this year, let us take time to express our gratitude to God for His extravagant goodness.

Receiving the Torah

Shavuot commemorates our receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Torah is more that just a scroll to be set in a place of honor like some ritual icon. Certainly it is not a book to be left on a shelf to collect dust! Torah is central to Jewish life. It is our guide to righteous living, a treasure trove of wisdom by which we become the people God intends us to be. Torah study is not a mere academic exercise. It is the vital tool by which we learn and do God's will. One of the traditions of Shavuot is all-night Torah study, known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot. This is not to be thought of  as a one time event, like a student "cramming" for a final exam. Rather it is an expression of our love for Torah and our commitment to learn and live its way. Even though we will be celebrating alone at home this year, let us renew our commitment to "learn and to do" as the Torah teaches. Take time to learn Torah regularly, especially on Shavuot.

Chag Sameach!

Related links:

The Holiday for the People of the Book

Sinai in Your Living Room (Ten Commandments at Home)

What is Shavuot?

Shavuot 101