Shavuot

Vayikrah 23:15 (Leviticus)You shall count to you from the next day
after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the
wave-offering; seven Sabbaths shall there be complete:. ... 23:21 You
shall make proclamation on the same day; there shall be a kadosh
convocation to you; you shall do no servile work: it is a statute forever
in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

I am the L-rd, your G-d

You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not take the name of the
L-rd in vain.

Remember the Shabbat and keep it
holy.

Honor your father and mother.

You shall not kill.

You shall not be unfaithful to your wife
or husband.

You shall not steal.

You shall not bear false witness.

You shall not desire what is your
neighbor's.

S havuot is 50 days after Passover (the 6th of Sivan) and the word
Shavuot means "weeks" because it is 7 weeks after Passover.

The night before Shavuot is traditionally dedicated to the study of the
Torah. We start at sundown beginning Shavuot and study throughout
the night. The Torah tells us that we celebrate this holiday because of
the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Sh'Mot (Exodus)19-20

Today Shavuot is celebrated in synagogues around the world by
reading the Book of Ruth and a very beautiful poem called Akdamut.

Many synagogues have their religious schools participate in a Bikkurim
festival. The children march around holding baskets of fruit which are
placed on the pulpit and later donated to hospitals or the poor. This is
to remind us that Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage holidays when
in Ancient times Jews brought their first fruits to the Temple as an
offering to HaShem. The first fruits were called Bikkurim.

The Story of Ruth is read because of Ruth's complete acceptance of the
Torah and the teachings of Judaism. The story of Ruth also gives a vivid
account of the grain harvest in ancient Israel. Another explanation is that
King David, who according to tradition, was born and died on Shavuot,
was a descendant of Ruth.

The Floral decorations, in both the home and the synagogue, symbolize
the green slopes of Mount Sinai on the day of Revelation. They also
represent the harvest festival of ancient Israel. The Torah is also
compared to a "Tree of Life."

The traditional menu of dairy foods on Shavuot symbolizes the Torah
which is often compared to milk and honey. Another explanation is that
the Israelites in the wilderness, after their return home from Mount Sinai,
could not prepare a meal of meat which requires considerable time.
They, therefore, restored to dairy food which was closer at hand.

The Akdamot, a beautiful and mystical hymn, chanted in the synagogue,
before the reading of the Torah, on the first day of Shavuot, tells of G-d's
majesty and power, of Israel's devotion to the Torah, and the hope for
the messianic age that will usher in peace and harmony in the world.

The custom of staying awake and learning on the first night of Shavuot is
attributed to the mystical influence of the Kabbalah and Rabbinic sources.

SHAVUOT CANDLE BLESSINGS

Baruch Atah Adoni, Eloheynu Melech
H'olam, Asher Kidshanu B'Mitzvotav,
Vitzivanu L'Had Lach Ner Shel Yom Tov.

Blessed art thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of the
Universe, who has sanctified us by thy
commandments and allowed us to kindle
the Festival Lights.

Baruch Atah Adoni, Eloheynu Melech
H'olam, Shehecheyanu, V'Kiyemanu,
V'Higuanu Lazman Hazeh.

Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of
the Universe, who has kept us in life and has
sustained us and enabled us to reach this
festive season.