Shavuot facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shavuot
Ruth in Boaz's Field
Official name	Hebrew: שבועות or חג שבעות (Ḥag HaShavuot or Shavuot)
Also called	English: "Festival of Weeks"
Observed by	Judaism and Jews
Type	Jewish
Significance	One of the Three Pilgrim Festivals. Celebrates the revelation of the Five Books of the Torah (or Old Testament of the Christian Bible) by God to Moses and to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, 49 days (7 weeks) after the Exodus from Egypt. Commemorates the wheat harvesting in the Land of Israel. Culmination of the 49 days of the Counting of the Omer.
Celebrations	Festive meals. All-night Torah study. Recital of Akdamut liturgical poem in Ashkenazic synagogues. Reading of the Book of Ruth. Eating of dairy products. Decoration of homes and synagogues with greenery (Orach Chayim, 494).
Begins	6th day of Sivan
Ends	7th (in Israel: 6th) day of Sivan
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Related to	Passover, which precedes Shavuot

Shavuot is a special holiday celebrated by Jewish people. It is a time to remember when God gave the Torah to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. This important event happened 49 days after the Exodus from Egypt. Shavuot is also known as the "Festival of Weeks" because it comes seven weeks after Passover.

When is Shavuot Celebrated?

Shavuot is celebrated on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan. This usually happens in May or June. The holiday is exactly 49 days after Passover (Pesach). This period of 49 days is called the Counting of the Omer.

How Long Does Shavuot Last?

In Israel, Shavuot is celebrated for one day. Outside of Israel, in what is called the Diaspora, it is celebrated for two days. However, Reform Jews also celebrate it for only one day, even if they live in the Diaspora.

Why is Shavuot Important?

Shavuot is one of the Three Pilgrim Festivals in Judaism. These were times when Jewish people would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate at the Temple. The other two pilgrim festivals are Passover and Sukkot (the Festival of Tabernacles).

What Does Shavuot Commemorate?

The holiday has two main meanings. First, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. This is seen as a very important moment in Jewish history. Second, it marks the end of the spring wheat harvest in the Land of Israel. In ancient times, people would bring their first fruits to the Temple as an offering.

How Do People Celebrate Shavuot?

There are many traditions that Jewish people follow to celebrate Shavuot. These traditions help them remember the holiday's meaning.

Special Customs and Activities

• All-Night Torah Study: Many people stay up all night studying the Torah. This tradition is called Tikkun Leil Shavuot. It shows their love for the Torah and their readiness to receive it.
• Reading the Book of Ruth: The Book of Ruth is read in synagogues. This story is about a woman who chooses to join the Jewish people. It also takes place during the wheat harvest.
• Decorating with Greenery: Homes and synagogues are often decorated with plants and flowers. This reminds people of Mount Sinai, which was green and blooming when the Torah was given. It also connects to the harvest theme.
• Eating Dairy Foods: It is a tradition to eat dairy foods like cheese, milk, and yogurt. Some people believe this is because the Torah is compared to milk and honey.

Images for kids

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  A synagogue sanctuary adorned in greenery in honor of Shavuot

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  Cheese blintzes, typically eaten by Ashkenazi Jews on Shavuot

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  Ruth in Boaz's Field by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, oil on canvas, 1828; National Gallery, London

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  Bikkurim ceremony at Kibbutz Givat Haim, 1951

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  Bikkurim festival in Giv'at Shmuel, Israel, 2009

See also

In Spanish: Shavuot para niños