Judaism
Shavuot: The giving of the Torah
· 5 min read
Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, 50 days after the Exodus. It is the festival of first fruits, all-night study, and the confirmation of the covenant.
Shavuot
The giving of the Torah
Fifty days after the Exodus, Israel arrived at Mount Sinai. God descended in fire and cloud and gave the Ten Commandments. The people responded: "We will do and we will understand" (naaseh venishma).
Counting the Omer
From the second day of Passover to Shavuot, 49 days are counted (sefirat haomer), connecting physical freedom (Passover) with spiritual freedom (Torah).
Customs
- Studying Torah all night (Tikkun Leil Shavuot).
- Reading the Book of Ruth.
- Eating dairy foods.
Reading: Talmud Bavli Shavuot. Book of Ruth. Shulchan Aruch OC 490-495.
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