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KOSHER DELIGHT - YOUR JEWISH ONLINE MAGAZINE!
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| One
of the unique differences about Shavuot is the fact that
we eat dairy in one or more of the meals. Among the
reasons given is the fact that Torah is compared to milk
and honey which is both sweet and beneficial. |
| There
is another resemblance of Torah to milk. Just as a baby
nurses from his mother and gets the best nourishment
possible, so too is the Torah the best influence in our
lives. When a baby nurses a little, there is only a little
milk produced, but if he tries to drink a lot from his
mother, the supply will increase accordingly. So too, when
a person learns a little Torah, there will be a little
connection between him and the Torah, but the more he
learns, the more the flow of Torah will increase and he in
turn will want to have more, which will continue to
produce even more. |
On
this holiday of Shavuot, let us realize that Torah is our
sustenance, just like a little baby, and let us learn a
little more each day, thereby increasing the
"supply" from Hashem. Teezku L'Shanim Rabot
Tovot V' 'Kneemot
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| SHAVUOT
LAWS AND CUSTOMS by Rabbi
Alan Ira Silver |
| a)
All
work is forbidden on the holiday, as on Shabbat. Carrying
necessary things and cooking for that day only are
permitted. Taking a fire from an existing flame is
permitted, but striking a match is forbidden. Lowering a
flame is forbidden unless the cooking requires a lower
flame. If the stove is electric, turning it on from the
'off' position is prohibited. Whether or not one may raise
or lower the heat on an electric stove depends on the type
of unit involved. CONSULT YOUR RABBI. |
| b)
All
Night Reading - One of the few special things
we do on this holiday is to stay up the entire first night
reading and studying Torah. This is to show our eagerness
to accept the Torah. In many synagogues, there will be a
special Tikun reading beginning at 11:00 p.m. followed by
many classes on various levels. All are encouraged to
attend. There is generally refreshments served to help one
to stay awake the night through.. First minyan will
generally follow the learning at about 4:30 A.M. In some
communities, there will also be women's groups studying
throughout the night. |
| c) Azharot
- In most Sephardic communities there is a beautiful
custom to read the 613 Commandments in poetic form, known
as the Azharot. |
| d)
The
Book of Ruth - It is the custom in most
communities to read the whole book of Ruth during the two
days of Shavuot, and there will be classes given on this
subject as well. |
| e) Yehi
Shem - No Tahanun is recited beginning
Wednesday, June 8 through Sunday, June 19. For the
the Hebrew year 5765 (2005) |
| f)
Lighting
candles - On both nights of the holiday, as on
Shabbat, two candles should be lit by the woman of the
house. (On Shabbat some families have a custom to light
more than just two candles but on holidays they light just
two candles) Follow your family custom. |
| g)
Eruv
Tavshillin - We may not cook from one day of
the holiday for another day of the holiday or for Shabbat.
By making an Eruv Tavshillin, cooking from Friday for
Shabbat becomes permissible. This year there is no
need to make an Eruv Tavshillin as Shavout
starts Sunday night, June 12(2005). Next year: one
will take a hard-boiled egg and a piece of bread and
we say the blessing and the proclamation found in the
prayer book. (This is considered as if we began cooking
from before the holiday for Shabbat.) It is a mitzvah to
eat the Eruv on Shabbat. |
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