From Dusk Till Dawn
On Shavuot night, Jews remain awake until dawn studying Torah. One reason is that by staying up and learning, we rectify the fact that our ancestors slept in the morning the Torah was given. Learn more.
Take Two Tablets
On Shavuot, we recreate the giving of the Ten Commandments by reading them from the Torah in synagogue. Make sure to be there when that happens on Shavuot morning.
… for the Entire Family
The reading of the Ten Commandments is truly an event for the entire family. Men, women, children and babies are all encouraged to attend. Find a reading near you.
It’s a Mitzvah to Eat Cheesecake?
Not exactly. However, on Shavuot Jews traditionally serve a sumptuous dairy meal. There are many reasons for this delicious custom. They vary from highlighting the laws of kashrut given at Sinai to the numerical value of the Hebrew word for milk (chalav) totalling 40, the number of nights that Moses was on the mountain. Learn more.
An Epic Story
On Shavuot, the Jewish people became a concrete nation when the Torah was given. What an appropriate time to read about Ruth (the consummate convert) and her journey to Judaism. Start your research here.
Let It Bloom!
The sages relate that when the Torah was given, Sinai (a desert mountain) miraculously bloomed with flowers and vegetation. Many have the custom to adorn their homes with greenery and flowers for the holiday. Learn more.
Spread Forth!
Many communities have a custom to walk to other synagogues during the holiday of Shavuot to share the joy with other Jews. Read more about that here.
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