A Festival With Five Names
The Holiday of the Pentecost
the 50th day after the Passover
is known in Hebrew by several names
First, Shavuous, the Festival of Weeks
Seven weeks are counted between
Passover and the Pentecost
Shavuous also means ‘Oaths.’ On Shavuous
Heaven and Earth came together in vows
God betrothed Himself to Israel eternally
Israel betrothed herself eternally to God
The Holiday is also called Zman Matan Torah
The Season of the Giving of the Torah
On this day God gave the Torah to Israel
on Mount Sinai, amidst supernatural fanfare
It is also the Festival of First Fruits, ‘Chag Ha-Bikkurim’
An offering of wheat is brought to the High Priest
symbolized by two loaves of bread – in contrast
to the barley offering on the second day of Passover
Finally, it is ‘Atzeres,’ The Conclusion or End of Passover
May we all dedicate our earthly selves to higher heavenly
purposes on the day when Heaven and Earth were united
_______________________________________________
In Israel, Shavuous starts Saturday, 45 minutes after sun-
down and ends Sunday, also 45 minutes after sundown. In
the rest of the world it is a two-day holiday, starting at the
same time as in Israel, but ending on Monday evening, 45
minutes after sundown.
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