Holiday Primers

Shavuot is the second of the three Regalim or Pilgrimage Festivals, and celebrates several primary themes. The sixth day of the Hebrew month Sivan is the anniversary of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai.  Shavuot is also an important holiday in the Biblical agricultural cycle, signaling the beginning of the wheat harvest as well as being the holiday in which we offer the first fruits of our fruit bearing trees.  Unlike Passover and Sukkot, on Shavuot there are no specific rituals or mitzvot that are biblically mandated on the holiday.  No Matzah, no Lulav, no Seder, no Sukkah.  The primary traditions of Shavuot are the study of Torah, the public reading of the 10 commandments and the Book of Ruth and eating dairy foods. 

With the Covid-19 pandemic largely behind us, we are glad to be back to our tradition of hosting all-night learning on Shavuot eve (Saturday night) as well as having two in-person minyanim Sunday morning, one at sunrise beginning at 4:30 am in the chapel and our customary services at 9 am in the main sanctuary.  Second day (Monday) services will be at 9 am in the main sanctuary.

The full lineup of classes being offered and the full holiday schedule can be found here.

This year, Shabbat leads directly into Shavuot.  This creates several important halachic guidelines. 

• One may not cook, prepare food or do any preparatory work for the holiday on Shabbat.   
• One should light Yom Tov candles no earlier than 10:18 PM. 
• On Yom Tov, one is allowed to transfer fire from an existing flame, but not to kindle a new flame. Therefore, in order to light Yom Tov candles on Saturday and Sunday nights, you need to have a flame burning from before Shabbat.
  •  If you plan to light candles at home, it is recommended that you light a yahrzeit candle before Shabbat so that you can light yom tov candles Saturday night. 
  • Those who are attending the Yom Tov dinner at Schara Tzedeck Saturday night may light Yom Tov candles at the Shul.
• A special Havdalah for going from Shabbat into Yom Tov is said as part of the festival Kiddush on Saturday night after lighting Yom Tov candles.  
• On Monday night, havdalah is made on only wine and the customary HaMavdil blessing

Yizkor 

• We will say Yizkor as a community on Monday morning at approximately 10:30 am.
• We will be holding a virtual Yizkor on Friday at 10 am. https://vimeo.com/event/2123596
• The text of Yizkor can be found at this link https://mailchi.mp/korenpub.com/v4xiaurx26 on page 503.
• The Yizkor candle should be lit on Friday afternoon, before your shabbat candles. 

Further information on the laws and customs of Shavuot can be found here https://www.ou.org/holidays/shavuot/hilchos-uminhagei-shavuos/