Shavuot
Shavuot invites us to stand again at Sinai renewing our sense of purpose, learning, and community.
Shavuot, meaning “weeks,” falls seven weeks after Passover and marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is a time to reflect on our covenant with God, our dedication to learning, and our commitment to living a life guided by Jewish values. Shavuot is also called Chag HaKatzir (Festival of the Harvest) or Chag HaBikkurim (Festival of the First Fruits) in the Torah.
Shavuot is traditionally celebrated with Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an evening of study and discussion that honors the Jewish love of learning and Torah. Many communities also eat dairy foods, decorate with flowers and greenery, and read the Book of Ruth, a story of loyalty and choosing a Jewish life.
In Reform congregations, Shavuot is also the time of Confirmation, when teens publicly affirm their connection to Judaism and take their place in the chain of Jewish tradition. The holiday includes the recitation of Yizkor, as we honor the memory of loved ones and reaffirm the values they passed down to us.
