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.