Shavuot Calendar 2013

During the course of the holiday we don’t go to work, drive, write, or switch on or off electric devices. We are permitted to cook, to kindle a stove with a flame that existed before the holiday (or which was lit from such a flame), and to carry outdoors.

Tuesday,
Sivan 5—May 14

Shavuot eve

It is customary to decorate synagogues and homes with flowers and boughs .

The holiday of Shavuot begins tonight.

Women and girls light candles tonight to usher in the holiday. Click here for candle-lighting times in your city, and see below for the blessings one recites while lighting.

After the holiday evening prayers, a festive holiday meal, complete with the recitation of the holiday kiddush, is enjoyed.

On this night it is customary to remain awake and study Torah until dawn.

Wednesday,
Sivan 6—May 15

First day of Shavuot
Torah reading: Exodus 19:1–20:23; Numbers 28:26–31
Haftorah: Ezekiel 1:1–28; 3:12

Reading of the Ten Commandments.

All men, women and children should go to the synagogue to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments. Click here to find a synagogue near you.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, encouraged the bringing of even the youngest of children to the reading of the Ten Commandments in the synagogue on Shavuot. This is in commemoration of the Jewish people declaring: “Our children are our guarantors [that we will keep the Torah].” This, the Midrash states, was the only guarantee acceptable to G‑d.

The priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Many communities chant the Akdamut poem before the reading of the Torah.

Kiddush is recited, and a holiday meal follows.

It is customary to eat dairy foods today. Click here for delicious dairy recipes.

Candle-lighting, from a pre-existing flame, after nightfall. Click here for candle-lighting times in your city, and see below for the blessings.

Whoever will say yizkor tomorrow lights a yahrtzeit candle tonight, also from a pre-existing flame.

After the holiday evening prayers, a festive holiday meal, complete with the recitation of the holiday kiddush, is again enjoyed.

Thursday
Sivan 7—May 16

Second day of Shavuot
Torah reading: Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17; Numbers 28:26–31
Haftarah: Habakkuk 2:20–3:19

The Yizkor memorial service is recited (and charity is pledged) for the souls of departed loved ones.

The priests bless the congregation with the Priestly Blessing during the Musaf prayer.

Kiddush is recited, and a holiday meal follows.

Some communities have the custom to read the Book of Ruth on the second day of Shavuot.

The holiday ends tonight at nightfall. Click here for end of holiday times in your location.

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April 1, 2013

work

So now that we have knowledge of what day it really is can we work the second day.

Kabadiah Ben Yishai
Los Angeles

May 28, 2012

shavuot

Thank you for the clear and detailed info. Was in Miami w/my daughter and saw many dressed up Sun/Mon and wondered what holiday and what significance. This explained well.
Appreciate it.

Will
Fairport, NY/US

May 28, 2012

shavuot

now I'm totally confused, as usual! I understood that shavuot is the beginning of the harvest festivals, when we pray that
G-d will give us a good harvest throughout the coming season and that Simchat Torah
is when we thank G-d for the giving of the Torah. How backwards am I ?

louise leon
long pond, PA
jewishpoconos.com

June 7, 2011

Blessings

Sure, you can find the candle lighting blessings at this link

Mrs. Chana Benjaminson
mychabad.org

June 7, 2011

candle lighting; see below for the blessings???

Please provide candle lighting blessings recited.

Thanks, Ann

Ann Morrison
St Paul, MN USA

May 25, 2011

Working on Shavuot

I need to be clear. I can work on June 7, on June 8 Friday, no work, correct? Then we are into Shabbat. Does the holiday go into Sunday? Not sure about the 2 days. the 7th is Erev..right?

Chana
Tampa, Florida

May 25, 2011

Work on Shavot?

To find if you are supposed to work or not for the feast of weeks, go to the torah. Its is to be a high sabbath, a holy convocation, a moed unto G-d.

Jana

May 28, 2008

work-2 days or 1 day

Outside of Israel an extra day is added to holidays because in the old days it took a while for the message that the new moon had been observed to propagate to the Diaspora, so to make sure the right day was celebrated in the Diaspora, two days are celebrated in case we started the holiday too early. This was never done in Israel, so that's why they only take the Monday off.

Jen
Ellerslie, GA

May 20, 2008

work

so if i understand correctly those two days you are not working? because in israel its only the monday that one is not working!

Anonymous

May 19, 2008

Shavuot

This is so clear!

Thank you so much.

However, if someone were to want to know if they can work, where would they locate this ?

Anonymous
Karmiel, Israel

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