May 2004

Shavuot-The Holiday of the Giving of the Torah

The story goes that a Rabbi in the Old Country was worried about the assimilation and secularism of the Jewish people. One night, Elijah the Prophet appeared to him and miraculously brought him a hundred years into the future, to a Jewish neighborhood in an American city in modern times. It was Chanukah time, and each house was decorated, glowing with candles and loaded with presents. The Rabbi's eyes glistened with joy, "If this is what they do for a little holiday like Chanukah," he said, "just imagine what they do for a major festival like Shavuot!"
The truth is that most American Jews have some kind of Chanukah observance, even though it is a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar. By contrast, many outside the traditional world barely notice Shavuot. But Shavuot is one of the major holidays of the Jewish year. Along with Passover and Sukkot, it is one of the Biblical pilgrimage festivals, when ancient Israelites would visit the Temple in Jerusalem. This year, a group of CBI members will actually be making a pilgrimage to Israel at Shavuot. But we will also observe the holiday right here in Chico, on the Eve of the Festival, May 25 at 5:15 PM (following the last day of religious school; the entire community is invited.)
Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. We mark that occasion by reading the Ten Commandments from the Torah. Our CBI Teens will read the Ten Commandments in Hebrew and in English. Some people have the custom of studying Torah all night on the Eve of Shavuot (a custom that we will defer to future festivals, although you are invited to undertake it on your own!). In future years we also hope to celebrate Confirmation for teens on Shavuot.
Since this is a day that highlights the study of Torah, we will honor our wonderful religious school director, Fran Halimi, and our fabulous teachers at our Shavuot service.
Shavuot also recalls the early summer harvest of the first fruits in Israel. We commemorate that occasion by decorating the synagogue with flowers and having the young children carry baskets of fruit (along with tiny Torahs which remind them of the giving of the Torah).
A biblical story set at this time of year is the book of Ruth. Since Ruth was the first convert to Judaism, we honor Jews-by-Choice (and aren't we all Jews-by Choice?) at this time of year. We will honor our newest Jews with an aliyah to the Torah and a public affirmation of their commitment to the covenant.
A final custom of the holiday is to enjoy dairy foods, such as blintzes, kugel or cheesecake, because the Torah is compared to "milk and honey." Our Religious School Committee will treat us to a delicious dairy supper after our family oriented service.
Shavuot is a Yom Tov and we light candles and say kiddush. Many observant people take the day off for prayer, Torah study and rest. But whatever your level or style of practice, enjoy a taste of the festival by joining us after work on May 25!
It's going to be a joyous and delightful culmination to our year. I look forward to seeing you there.

Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan