Shavuot is a two-day holiday, beginning at sundown of the 5th of Sivan and lasting until nightfall of the 7th of Sivan. The word Shavuot means “weeks.” It marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot. Shavuot also means “oaths,” and on this day God swore eternal devotion to us, and we in turn pledge everlasting loyalty to Him.

Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of God's gift of the Torah, and God "re-gives" the Torah to us. 

• Women and girls light holiday candles on both the first and second evenings of the holidays.
• It is customary to stay up all night learning Torah on the first night of Shavuot. 
• All men, women and children should go to the synagogue on the first day of Shavuot to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments.
• Special meals are eaten, and no “work” may be performed.
• It is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot. Among other reasons, this commemorates the fact that upon receiving the Torah, including the kosher laws, the Jewish people could not cook meat in their pots, which had yet to be rendered kosher.
• On the second day of Shavuot, the Yizkor memorial service is recited.
• We read the Book of Ruth publicly, as King David—whose passing occurred on this day—was a descendant of Ruth the Moabite.

Join Us

Join us at Beth Tzedec's annual Tikkun Leyl Shavuot. Minẖah Ma'ariv services are followed by a light supper. The night of learning features a keynote speaker, a midnight Torah reading outside under the stars, a variety of parallel breakout sessions and cheesecake. In the morning, services feature the Hallel and the Festival Musaf, including the chanting of Akdamut. In addition to reciting Yizkor on the second day of Shavuot, join us in the chanting of Megillat Ruth and consider learning how to leyn a chapter.