Shavuot

Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and marks the culmination of the Counting of the Omer, the 50 days between Passover and the holiday. It usually falls on the 6th of Sivan in the Hebrew calendar; in Israel it is observed as a single day, while many communities abroad observe two days.

Historically and agriculturally, Shavuot also celebrates the grain harvest in the Land of Israel and the offering of the first fruits (bikkurim) brought to the Temple in Jerusalem during ancient times. In the diaspora, the two-day observance reflects historical calendrical uncertainty.

Religious practices include special synagogue services with readings from the Torah, notably the Book of Ruth, a symbol of conversion and acceptance of Torah, and, in many traditions, the reading of the Ten Commandments. Ashkenazi communities may recite the liturgical poem Akdamut on the first day. The holiday is also associated with the giving of the Torah on Sinai, and some customs emphasize study and learning.

Common customs include eating dairy foods, which some interpret as symbolizing the sweetness of Torah, and engaging in intensive Torah study, sometimes extending through the night in a Tikkun Leil Shavuot.

Today, Shavuot is observed worldwide as both a historic-religious commemoration and an agricultural festival, with ritual practices and customs varying among different Jewish communities.