Shavuot 5780/2020
Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks” and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover.
Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Along with Sukkot and Passover, it is one of the Shalosh Regalim (Three Pilgrimage Festivals). Shavuot is known by several names: Chag Hashavuot (the Festival of Weeks), Chag Habikkurim (the Feast of the First Fruits), and Chag Hakatzir (the Festival of Reaping). (URJ Website)
Jewish tradition has so much wisdom to guide us in the path of mourning, healing and sacred remembrance. Many people associate Yizkor only with Yom Kippur, but we observe it during Pesach, Sukkot and Shavuot as well.
Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest. In ancient times, Shavuot was a pilgrimage festival during which Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Along with Sukkot and Passover, it is one of the Shalosh Regalim (Three Pilgrimage Festivals). Shavuot is known by several names: Chag Hashavuot (the Festival of Weeks), Chag Habikkurim (the Feast of the First Fruits), and Chag Hakatzir (the Festival of Reaping). (URJ Website)
Jewish tradition has so much wisdom to guide us in the path of mourning, healing and sacred remembrance. Many people associate Yizkor only with Yom Kippur, but we observe it during Pesach, Sukkot and Shavuot as well.