Shavuot 2013

Everything you need to know to celebrate the holiday.

 

Shavuot begins at sunset on May 14, 2013 and will end on the evening of May 15th for Reform Jews and the evening of May 16th for Conservative and Orthodox Jews. Check your synagogue's practices. 

What is Shavuot? Shavuot, the feast of weeks, is celebrated seven weeks after the second Passover seder.

Although Shavuot began as an ancient grain harvest festival, the holiday has been identified since biblical times with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.

For more about the history of Shavuot click here.

What are some customs and practices for Shavuot?

- To commemorate the giving of the Torah at Sinai there is a tradition of staying up all night studying Jewish texts in what is called a tikun.
- On Shavuot the Book of Ruth is read.
- Traditionally dairy foods are eaten on Shavuot.
- In order to mark the agricultural history of Shavuot, some decorate their house and synagogues with a floral theme.