HOW WE CELEBRATE

Because Shavuot is associated with receiving the Torah, it is traditionally a day for Torah study and for contemporary Confirmation ceremonies that are tied to Torah study. Many congregations hold a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an all-night Torah study session, on the first night of the festival. This tradition of all-night study of a wide selection of Jewish texts began with medieval Jewish mystics.
During the day, the account of the revelation of the Ten Commandments is read from the Torah in synagogue. In many shuls, the congregation stands to mark the significance of this reading. On the second day of Shavuot (or the first, when one day is observed), the Book of Ruth is read. Megillat Rut beautifully and lovingly tells the story of a righteous young woman who actively chooses to become Jewish. This story highlights the merit of those who become Jews by choice, as we learn that Ruth will become the grandmother of the venerated David Melech Yisrael, David King of Israel.
Ceremonies connected with Torah learning often are held in Jewish schools at this time of year. In our grandparents’ generation and before, Shavuot marked the start of child’s formal Jewish education. In many communities, it was customary to spread honey over the letters of the alef-bet on a slate, which the young student licked off as letters were learned. In Israel, children wear garlands of flowers, and the agricultural aspect of the holiday is stressed with harvest pageants on kibbutzim and moshavim. Baskets of produce are decorated with flowers.
Traditional foods for Shavuot are dairy delicacies such as blintzes and cheesecakes, which allude to Israel as a “land flowing with milk and honey,” At home, Shavuot is observed as a Yom Tov, with special meals, candles and kiddush, and refraining from work.