All
About Shavuot
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7
x 7 + 1 = 50
Seven
weeks of seven days plus
one day equals fifty days
Fifty
days after Passover comes
the feast of Shavuot. This
is the moad of freedom,
of revelation, of baking
two loaves of bread, and
of receiving the Torah from
Yahweh.
Now
understanding and celebrating
Shavuot is as easy as A,B,C…
A
- All about the festival,
a simple overview
B
- Biblical references concerning
the holy day
C
- Celebration information
on how to make the day special
A
All about the festival
v
Shavuot or Shavuoth is the
second of the three major
festivals during which males
in The Land of Yisra’el
are to come to Yerushalyim.
Passover is the first and
Sukkot is the third of the
pilgrimage feasts.
v
Shavuot is pronounced “sha-voo-ote.”
v
Shavuot comes exactly fifty
days after Passover. Hence
it being known as “Pentecost”
by many. Pentecost means
“fifty” in the Greek language.
Pentecost always falls on
the seventh Sun Day after
the pagan holiday of Easter.
v
Shavuot is both a historical
and an agricultural day.
Agriculturally, it commemorates
the time when the first
fruits were harvested and
brought to the Temple, and
is know as Hag Ha-Bikkurim
the “feast of first fruits.
Historically, this day celebrates
the giving of the Torah
on Mount Sinai.
v
This day marks the end of
the barley harvest and the
start of the wheat harvest
in Eretz Yisra’el.
v
This is a day of revelation
and receiving, a day of
rejoicing, and reflection.
v
Shavuot honors the shift
from spring to summer and
the reaping of the first
wheat harvest. Sometime
during the Second Temple,
Shavuot was formally declared
as the anniversary of the
giving of the Torah. Up
to this point it was predominately
kept as just an agricultural
day.
v
On this day, Yahweh gave
the Torah to the Hebrew
people on Mount Sinai over
3,300 years ago. It is on
this day that believers
should renew our acceptance
of Yahweh’s word and commitment
to His ways.
v
Shavuot has many names.
It is also know as “Hag
Matan Torateinu,” meaning
the Feast of the Giving
of the Torah. Some call
it “Chag Shavuot” which
means the feast of weeks.
v
This day is also considered
“Chag HaBikkurim” or day
of first fruits and “Atzeret”
– the day of “Being held
back or close to Yahweh.”
v
Shavuot also means "oaths",
with the giving of the Torah,
the Hebrews and Elohim exchanged
oaths, forming an everlasting
covenant, not to forsake
one another as a type of
wedding vow.
v
Finally, this day is also
called “Chag HaKatzit” –
the day of the cutting of
the crop. This name refers
to the wheat harvest, which
is the last of the crops
to be reaped. This reaping
took place at this time.
There is also reference
in the book of Ruth, which
places the time of the events
described in that book as
occurring at Shavuot. Ruth
says the events of the book
happened “at the beginning
of the cutting of the barley
crop.”
v
Shavuot is a special time
to rejoice in the giving
of the Torah and the Giver
of the Torah.
v
The word “Shavuot” literally
means “weeks.” It marks
the completion of the seven
weeks between Pesach and
Shavuot, which are called
the Sefirah Ha’Omer. Sefirah
Ha’Omer means the “Period
of Counting the Omer.” During
these fifty days the Yisraelites
were to count a measure
of grain each day in anticipation
of the full fiftieth day,
the full harvest of Shavuot.
v
The counting reminds us
of the important connection
between Pesach and Shavuot.
Passover freed Yisra’el
physically from bondage,
while the giving of the
Torah on Shavuot redeemed
Yisra’el spiritually from
the bondage of sin, idolatry,
and immorality.
v
Shavuot comes exactly fifty
days after Pesach. Fifty
in the Torah is the number
of freedom.
v
Shavuot is considered the
wedding anniversary, celebrating
the time when Yisra’el was
wed to Yahweh. The events
of Mount Sinai were the
marriage between Yahweh
and Yisra’el. The Torah
that was given is the wedding
vows or wedding contract
called the “Ketubah” in
Hebrew.
v
Shavuot marks the day when
Moshe had his first revelation
at Sinai and came down the
mountain with the Ten Words.
The stone commandments came
later.
v
Some rabbis teach that Pharaoh’s
daughter pulled Moshe from
the Nile River on the day
of Shavuot.
v
The Ba’al Shem Tov, of blessed
memory, died on Shavuot
in the year of 1760CE.
v
Within Christianity it is
usually taught that the
“church” was born at Pentecost
or Shavuot. The Bible NEVER
teaches this. What the Bible
does teach is that the Power
of YHWH, the Ruach HaKodesh
was poured out on this day
upon all believers.
v
The book of Acts does teach
that on Shavuot that believing
Hebrews from all over the
world came together in Yisra’el.
These were both observant
Jews and proselytes (Acts
2:9-11). This included those
of the Southern Kingdom
of Judah and descendants
of the Northern Kingdom
of Israel/Ephraim which
had been taken into captivity
by Assyria some 700 years
earlier losing their Israelite
heritage (2 Melachim/Kings
17:7-23), of which some
had undoubtedly converted
to First Century Judaism.
v
Shavuot did not start a
new religion or a new “church.”
v
A story from the Midrash
says that YHWH approached
numerous nations asking
each if they would accept
the Torah. They all refused
or set conditions. Only
the Israelites responded
that they would accept this
perfect gift: "We will
do and we will obey,"
Shemot 24:7.
v
“While the giving of Torah
is what YHWH does on Shavuot,
our role is to receive it.
During the omer, we prepare
by forming ourselves into
vessels to receive the Torah.
Each of us creates a receptacle
made of our needs and questions.
This process precipitates
the drawing down out of
a universe saturated with
blessing just those things
that your vessel requires,”
said Zalman Schachter-Shalomi.
v
The Torah teaches in Shemot
19:19 that a shofar or trumpet
was blown as the Torah was
given. This trumpet or shofar
was actually the first of
two, or the left of two,
ram’s horns from the ram
that was present when Avraham
was going to sacrifice Yitz’chak
on Mount Moriah in Genesis
22. The last trumpet, or
the other horn from the
ram will be blown at Yom
Teruah at a future date.
v
On the day Moshe received
the Torah on the first Shavuot,
three thousand people died
because of disobedience.
At a later Shavuot, after
Yahshua’s death, three thousand
people were delivered from
death through belief in
Moshiach.
v
“During Second Temple times
everyone gathered in Yisra’el
for the celebration. Those
in Yerushaliym would gather
for a procession carrying
fresh dates, pomegranates,
and grapes. Those at the
back would carry dried fruit,
figs, and raisins. Each
family brought two loaves
of the finest bread. The
men would go out before
this festival to choose
the best grapes and dates
to give to Elohim. They
tied a red thread to the
fruit to mark them for the
offering,” says the Family
Guide to the Biblical Holidays.
v
“In 1967, the Six Day War
ended just a few days before
Shavuot. Yisrael had reclaimed
the Western Wall, and for
the first time in 20 years
Yehudim had access to their
holiest site. On Shavuot
itself, the Western Wall
became open to visitors,
and on that one memorable
day, over 200,000 Yehudim
journeyed by foot to the
Western Wall. (In Jerusalem,
no cars or buses run on
Biblical holidays.) In subsequent
years, this "pedestrian
pilgrimage" has become
a recurring tradition. Early
on Shavuot morning - after
a full night of Torah learning
-- the streets of Jerusalem
are filled with tens of
thousands of Yehudim walking
to the Western Wall. This
tradition has Biblical precedence.
Shavuot is one of Yisrael's
three main pilgrimage festivals,
where the entire nation
would gather in Jerusalem
for celebration and study,”
wrote Rabbi Shraga Simmons
B
Biblical references
v
Shemot 19:10-15, “And Yahweh
said to Moshe, “Go to the
people and consecrate them
today and tomorrow. Have
them wash their clothes
and be ready by the third
day, because on that day
Yahweh will come down on
Mount Sinai in the sight
of all the people. Put limits
for the people around the
mountain and tell them,
‘Be careful that you do
not go up the mountain or
touch the foot of it. Whoever
touches the mountain shall
surely be put to death.
He shall surely be stoned
or shot with arrows; not
a hand is to be laid on
him. Whether man or animal,
he shall not be permitted
to live.’ Only when the
ram’s horn sounds a long
blast may they go up to
the mountain.” After Moshe
had gone down the mountain
to the people, he consecrated
them, and they washed their
clothes. Then he said to
the people, “Prepare yourselves
for the third day. Abstain
from sexual relations.”
v
“And it was on the third
day, as it became morning,
and there was thunder and
lightning, and a thick cloud
on the mountain, and the
sound of the Shofar was
very strong, and all the
people in the camp were
seized with trembling,”
Shemot 19:16.
v
“And you shall declare on
that very day, that it is
a Holy Day unto you; You
shall do no manner of work;
it is an Eternal statute,
in all your habituations,
for all your generations,”
Vayikra 23:21.
v
Vayikra 23:15-22, “‘From
the day after the Sabbath,
the day you brought the
sheaf of the wave offering,
count off seven full weeks.
Count off fifty days up
to the day after the seventh
Sabbath, and then present
an offering of new grain
to Yahweh. From wherever
you live, bring two loaves
made of two-tenths of an
ephah of fine flour, baked
with yeast, as a wave offering
of first fruits to Yahweh.
Present with this bread
seven male lambs, each a
year old and without defect,
one young bull and two rams.
They will be a burnt offering
to Yahweh, together with
their grain offerings and
drink offerings—an offering
made by fire, an aroma pleasing
to Yahweh. Then sacrifice
one male goat for a sin
offering and two lambs,
each a year old, for a fellowship
offering. The priest is
to wave the two lambs before
Yahweh as a wave offering,
together with the bread
of the first fruits. They
are a sacred offering to
Yahweh for the priest. On
that same day you are to
proclaim a sacred assembly
and do no regular work.
This is to be a lasting
ordinance for the generations
to come, wherever you live.
“‘When you reap the harvest
of your land, do not reap
to the very edges of your
field or gather the gleanings
of your harvest. Leave them
for the poor and the alien.
I am Yahweh your Elohim.’”
v
Shemot/Exodus 32:25-29,
“Moshe saw that the people
were running wild and that
Aharon had let them get
out of control and so become
a laughingstock to their
enemies. So he stood at
the entrance to the camp
and said, “Whoever is for
Yahweh, come to me.” And
all the Levites rallied
to him.” Then he said to
them, “This is what Yahweh,
the Elohim of Yisra’el,
says: ‘Each man strap a
sword to his side. Go back
and forth through the camp
from one end to the other,
each killing his brother
and friend and neighbor.’”
The Levites did as Moshe
commanded, and that day
about three thousand of
the people died. Then Moshe
said, “You have been set
apart to Yahweh today, for
you were against your own
sons and brothers, and he
has blessed you this day.”
v
“Until the day after the
seventh week, you shall
count, fifty days; And you
shall bring a “new” grain
offering to YHWH,” Vayikra
23:15.
v
“Three Regalim celebrate
before Me each year. Observe
the holy day of Matzoth,
Pesach, seven days shall
you eat Matzah as I have
commanded you, in the month
of Spring, for it was at
the time that you left Mitzrayim,
and in presence I shall
not be see by you empty
handed,” Shemot 23:14-16
v
Shemot 34:22-24, “Celebrate
the Feast of Weeks with
the first fruits of the
wheat harvest, and the Feast
of Ingathering at the turn
of the year. Three times
a year all your men are
to appear before the Sovereign
Yahweh, the Elohim of Yisra’el.
I will drive out nations
before you and enlarge your
territory, and no one will
covet your land when you
go up three times each year
to appear before Yahweh
your Elohim.”
v
“‘On the day of first fruits,
when you present to Yahweh
an offering of new grain
during the Feast of Weeks,
hold a sacred assembly and
do no regular work. Present
a burnt offering of two
young bulls, one ram and
seven male lambs a year
old as an aroma pleasing
to Yahweh. With each bull
there is to be a grain offering
of three-tenths of an ephah
of fine flour mixed with
oil; with the ram, two-tenths;
and with each of the seven
lambs, one-tenth. Include
one male goat to make atonement
for you. Prepare these together
with their drink offerings,
in addition to the regular
burnt offering and its grain
offering. Be sure the animals
are without defect,” Bamidbar
(Numbers) 28:26-32
v
Devarim 9:12, “Count off
seven weeks from the time
you begin to put the sickle
to the standing grain. Then
celebrate the Feast of Weeks
to Yahweh your Elohim by
giving a freewill offering
in proportion to the blessings
Yahweh your Elohim has given
you. And rejoice before
Yahweh your Elohim at the
place he will choose as
a dwelling for his Name—you,
your sons and daughters,
your menservants and maidservants,
the Levites in your towns,
and the aliens, the fatherless
and the widows living among
you. Remember that you were
slaves in Egypt, and follow
carefully these decrees.”
v
“Men, Yisraelim, listen
to these words: Yahshua
from Nazareth, a Man displayed
to you by Elohim with miracles
and wonders and signs which
Elohim performed through
Him in the middle of you,
just as you yourselves know—this
Man, delivered up by the
predetermined plan and foreknowledge
of Elohim, you nailed to
a tree by the hands of lawless
men and took Him away by
death…Therefore let all
the House of Yisrael know
assuredly that Elohim has
made Him both Master and
Messiah—this Yahshua Whom
you crucified,” Acts 2:22-23,
36.
v
“Repent, and let each one
of you be immersed in the
name of Yahshua the Messiah
for the forgiveness of your
sins; and you shall receive
the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh.
For the promise is for you
and your children, and for
all who are far off, as
many as the Master our Elohim
will call to Himself,” Acts
2:38-39.
v
“Kefa explained that what
occurred on this day was
prophesied by Yo’el:“this
is what was spoken of through
the prophet Yoel: ‘And it
shall be in the last days,’
YHWH says, ‘that I will
pour out My Spirit upon
all flesh, and your sons
and your daughters shall
prophecy, and your young
men shall see visions, and
your old men shall dream
dreams; even upon My bond
slaves, both men and women,
I will in those days pour
out My Spirit and they shall
prophecy. And I will give
wonders in the sky above,
and signs on the Earth beneath,
blood, and fire, and vapor
of smoke; the sun shall
be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood,
before the day of YHWH comes,
the great and manifest day.
And it shall be that all
who call on the name of
Adonai shall be saved” (Acts
2:16-21; cf Yoel/Joel 3:1-5).
C
Celebration information
v
Because of its agricultural
background, Shavuot has
very few religious rituals
and symbols. What it does
have is rich in tradition
and brings understanding
of the day to a maximum.
v
The Torah commands that
two loaves of bread are
to be prepared for waving
on Shavuot. These loaves
were baked with leaven and
symbolized the two tablets
that the Ten Words were
written upon. This bread
sacrifice was to be a meal
offering consumed by the
fire of YHWH.
v
The two loaves along with
seven male lambs, a young
bull, and two rams were
sacrificed in the Mishkan
on Shavuot. Also, a sin
offering of one male goat
was presented to YHWH.
v
The two loaves of bread
on Shavuot are known as
“Shtei HaLechem.”
v
It is customary to invite
guest, friends, and families
to Shavuot celebrations
as the Torah says, “you
shall rejoice before YHWH
your Elohim, you, your son,
and your daughter…and the
stranger, and the orphan,
and the widow,” Devarim
16:11.
v
In worship centers that
have a Torah scroll, one
custom is to pass the Torah
scroll around the group.
Instead of the service leader
carrying the Torah scroll
in procession around the
synagogue it can be passed
so everyone gets to hold
it.
v
Shavuot is a Sabbath day
of rest. No work is to be
done on this day of celebration.
v
Before sunset on the first
day of the Feast of Weeks,
the woman of the home can
light the Yom Tov candles
and say a blessing over
the day. A suggested blessing
is as follows:
“Baruch
atah Yahweh Eloheynu, melek
ha-olam, asher kidshanu
bamitzvotav vitzivanu l’hadleek
ner shel Yom Tov.”
Blessed
are You, Yahweh our Elohim,
king of the universe Who
has set us apart by your
commandments and has permitted
us to light the candles
of this Great Day.
v
Other blessings that can
be said at Shavuot are:
Baruch
atah Yahweh Eloheynu melech
ha olam, sheh-asah nissim
l’avoteynu ba-yamim ha-haym
baz’man hazeh
Blessed
are You, Yahweh our Elohim,
ruler of universe,
who
worked miracles for our
fathers in days of old,
at this time.
Baruch
atah Yahweh Yahweh Eloheynu
melech ha olam
she-heh-chi-yanu
v’key’manu v’hee-gee-anu
laz’man ha-zeh
Blessed
are you, Yahweh our Elohim,
ruler of the Universe, who
keeps us alive, who supports
the unfolding of our uniqueness,
and who has enabled us to
reach this season.
v
The blessing that is to
be spoken before eating
the two loaves of bread
is:
Baruch
atah Yahweh, Elohaynu melek
ha-olam, ha motzi lechem
men ha’aretz
Blessed
are You, Yahweh our Elohim,
king of the universe Who
brings forth bread from
the earth.
v
It is customary to adorn
the place of worship with
flowers, fruits, and greens
for this day. The reason
is that in the time of the
Temple, the first fruits
of the harvest were given
on Shavuot. As well, the
Sages of Judaism teach that
although Mount Sinai was
situated in a desert, when
the Torah was given on the
mountain, the mountain bloomed
and sprouted flowers.
v
Flower decorations also
point to the area around
the mountain of Sinai being
green, according to the
implication of “neither
let the flocks and herds
graze” found in Shemot 34:3.
v
Tree decorations also point
to the Etz Chaim – the Tree
of Life – the Torah.
v
A favorite decoration at
Shavuot is a rose. This
is chosen from a play on
words found in Esther 8:14,
“And the decree (dat) was
proclaimed in Shushan.”
This verse if playfully
reinterpreted to mean that
the law was given with a
rose (shushan.) Therefore
one custom is to scatter
spices and rose petals around
the synagogue to create
a beautiful fragrance.
v
It is also tradition to
eat dairy foods on Shavuot.
There are a number of reasons
for this custom one of which
is that with the giving
of the Torah the Hebrews
now became obligated to
observe the laws of kosher.
As the Torah was given on
Shabbat no cattle could
be slaughtered nor could
utensils be koshered, and
thus on that day everyone
ate dairy. Another reason
is that the Torah is likened
unto milk. The Hebrew word
for milk is “chalav.” When
the numerical value of each
of the letters in the word
“chalav” are added together
– 8,30,2 – the total is
forty. Forty is the number
of days that Moshe was on
the Mount receiving the
Torah. Some also say that
this is a reminder of the
promise regarding Eretz
Yisra’el, the Land of Yisra’el,
which is flowing with “milk
and honey.”
v
The Biblical book Song of
Songs (4:11) refers to the
sweet nourishing value of
Torah by saying: "It
drips from your lips, like
honey and milk under your
tongue."
v
When celebrating this day,
note that it was not just
the books of the Torah that
were given that day, but
the whole Hebraic lifecycle
and lifestyle.
v
One web site says that,
“it is noteworthy that the
holy day is called the time
of the giving of the Torah,
rather than the time of
the receiving of the Torah.
The Sages point out that
we are constantly in the
process of receiving the
Torah, that we receive it
everyday, but as it was
first given at this time.
Thus it is the giving, not
the receiving that makes
this holy day significant.”
v
On the first night of Shavuot,
Yisraelites throughout the
world observe a centuries
old custom of conducting
an all-night vigil dedicated
to Torah learning. This
night of dedication is called
“Tikkun Leil Shavuot,” which
means the “Repair of Shavuot
Evening.”
v
One explanation for this
tradition is that the Hebrew
people did not rise early
enough on the day Elohim
gave the Torah, and that
it was necessary for Yahweh
Himself to awaken them.
To compensate for their
behavior, Hebrews have accepted
upon themselves the customs
of remaining awake all night.
The night is spent in prayer
and Torah study, with a
short reading from each
of the weekly parasha portions.
v
During Tikkun Leil Shavuot
the mystics have taught
that the heavens are literally
opened for a brief instant
and that the Shekinah descends
upon those waiting. At that
very moment, we are told,
that Elohim will favorably
answer any prayer.
v
One favorite tradition on
Shavuot is to visit the
mikvah, or baptismal pool.
A mikvah is a ritual bath
or immersion in any free
flowing river, lake, or
ocean. In order to physically
and spiritually cleanse
and prepare for revelation
on the night of Shavuot
is to immerse in the mikvah
before the evening. The
mikvah is to remember how
Yisra’el was to prepare
for three days in the desert
before the Torah was given.
v
Shavuot is the only Biblical
holy day that is not tied
to a particular calendar
date. It’s date is determined
from the counting from Pesach.
Because the length of the
months used to be variable,
determined by the observation
of the new moon, and there
are two new moons between
Pesach and Shavuot, the
day of Shavuot could occur
on the 5th or the 6th of
Sivan. However, the Jewish
calendar has mathematically
determined that Shavuot
will always fall on the
6th of Sivan.
v
Outside of the Land of Yisra’el,
this holy day is two days
long. This concept is called
“Yom Tov Sheni Shel Gaulyot.”
The reason for this is that
during the year of the Talmud,
when communications were
very far from what they
are now the Hebrews had
problems spreading the word
about the new months. A
second day of celebration
became the solution so messengers
could spread the word of
the New Moon in time. The
second day was accorded
the same significance as
the first day by the decree
of the rabbis. Judaism still
teaches two days for most
New Moons because of two
reasons: The first is that
there is always an uncertainty
of when the New Moon will
be seen. The second is to
keep tradition – this is
called the “Minhag Avoteinu
B’Yadenu” or to “continue
in the custom of our ancestors.”
v
Yes, the day after Shavuot
is a special day. This day
is also known as “Isru Hag.”
The Talmud states that “whoever
observes a continuation
of a feast by eating or
drinking, the Torah in Tehillim
118:27 accounts to him as
if he had built the altar
in the temple and offered
sacrifice upon it, as it
said: ‘Bind the feast (Isru
Hag) with cords unto the
horns of the altar.”’
v
“Sinai and the giving of
Torah is a continuous event.
It is not accidental that
originally no date was given
for the Revelation of Sinai,
for the voice of YHWH constantly
speaks to us. The Revelation
continues to occur as the
Torah unfolds before us,
if we pay attention to it,”
says the book “The Jewish
Holidays.”
v
In many synagogues the book
of Ruth is read on the second
day of Shavuot. There are
several reasons for this:
First, tradition says that
Shavuot is the birthday
and the yahrtzeit, or day
of passing, of King Dawid.
The book of Ruth records
his ancestry and Ruth and
her husband Boaz were King
Dawid’s great-grandparents.
Also the scenes of harvesting,
described in the book of
Ruth are appropriate to
the feast of Harvest. Finally,
Ruth was a sincere convert
who embraced the Yisraelite
faith with all her heart.
On Shavuot all Hebrews are
reminded of having accepted
the Torah and all its precepts
just like a convert.
v
It is tradition for the
Ten Words to be recited
on the first day of Shavuot.
Whole families can assemble
at the synagogue for the
hearing of the Torah.
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Shavuot will occur on the
following days of the Gregorian
calendar:
§
Jewish Year 5764: sunset
May 25, 2004 - nightfall
May 27, 2004
§
Jewish Year 5765: sunset
June 12, 2005 - nightfall
June 14, 2005
§
Jewish Year 5766: sunset
June 1, 2006 - nightfall
June 3, 2006
§
Jewish Year 5767: sunset
May 22, 2007 - nightfall
May 24, 2007
§
Jewish Year 5768: sunset
June 8, 2008 - nightfall
June 10, 2008
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Here is a quote about Shavuot
from a Jewish web site,
“An amazing statement has
been made by Rabbi Shimon
bar Yochai in the Zohar.
The Zohar explains on a
deeper level that what happens
on Shavuot can be understood
as a matrimony. The Kabbalists
explain that there are two
main spiritual sources named
The Holy One blessed be
He, and his female counterpart
the Shekinah. They connect
or separate depending on
our spiritual actions when
we do positive spiritual
actions they unite, and
that union draws Light from
the supernal worlds, which
then flows down to us. If
we do negative actions we
cause them to separate,
this reduces the amount
of Light we receive. On
Shavuot the amount of Light
that is revealed is tremendous,
this is described as the
marriage and union of The
Holy One blessed be He and
the Shekinah. This is a
very beautiful and powerful
time.
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One of the best ways to
connect to this Light is
by staying up the entire
night of Shavuot and reading
from the Torah. This reveals
great Light in the world
more specifically through
the reading we are preparing
and beautifying the Shekinah
the Bride for the supernal
wedding. Rabbi Shimon in
the Zohar says: "Sit
beloved, sit and lets prepare
the bride on this night,
for everybody who connects
to her on this night, will
be protected for the entire
year above and below, and
he will complete his year
in peace."
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Shavuot is the last of the
Spring feasts mandated for
all Bible believers. The
next holy day is Yom Teruah,
the day of Trumpets.
One favorite Shavuot Dish
is “Cheese Blintzes.” Blintzes
are traditional cheesy dishes
that can be topped with
sour cream, applesauce or
cinnamon and sugar.
Here’s a recipe:
BATTER
4 eggs 1/2 cup milk 1/2
cup water 1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar 1 package
vanilla sugar Pinch of salt
1 Tbsp. oil
CHEESE
FILLING I
1/2 pound farmer cheese
4 ounces cream cheese 4
Tbsps. honey or
maple syrup juice of 1/2
lemon 1 egg yolk
CHEESE
FILLING II
1 pound cottage cheese,
strained 2 egg yolks 2 Tbsps.
flour
2 Tbsps. sugar 1 tsp. vanilla
sugar 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
USE:
7 inch skillet
YIELDS: 12 blintzes
BATTER:
In a large mixer bowl combine
eggs, milk, water and blend
well. Gradually add flour,
then both sugars, salt and
oil. Beat well until there
are no lumps in the batter.
FILLING
I: Combine all ingredients
in a bowl and beat well.
Or combine all the ingredients
in a blender container and
blend until smooth.
FILLING
II: Combine all ingredients,
except raisins, in a bowl
and beat well. Or all the
ingredients can be combined
in a blender container and
blended until smooth. Then
add raisins.
TO
ASSEMBLE CREPES: 1. Prepare
batter and filling of your
choice. Using a paper towel
or basting brush, apply
a thin coating of oil to
a 7 inch skillet. Place
skillet over medium heat
until skillet is hot but
not smoking.
2.
Ladle approximately 1/3
cup of batter into the skillet.
Tilt pan to swirl the batter
so it covers the bottom
of the skillet.
3.
Fry on one side until small
air bubbles form, and top
is set. Bottom should be
golden brown. When done,
carefully loosen edges of
crepe and slip out of skillet
onto a plate.
4.
Repeat the above procedure
until all the batter is
used. Grease the skillet
as needed.
5.
Turn each crepe so that
golden brown side is up.
Place 3 tablespoons of filling
on one edge in a 2 1/2 inch
long by 1-inch wide mound.
6.
Roll once to cover filling.
Fold the sides into the
center and continue rolling
until completely closed.
7.
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil
in the skillet and place
each crepe seam side down
in the skillet and fry 2
minutes on each side, turning
once.
VARIATION:
Whole wheat pastry flour
can be used instead of white
flour.
Excerpted
from: Spice and Spirit The
Complete Kosher Jewish Cookbook,
published by Lubavitch Women's
Cookbook Publications
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There are two “pivut” or
religious poems that are
usually spoken at the synagogue
on Shavuot. The first is
called the “Akdamut” and
the second is called the
“Ketubah.”
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Akdamut is a poem which
was composed during the
First Crusade, which began
in 1096, as an effort by
Christian Europe to recapture
the "Holy Land"
from the Moslem "infidels"
who had seized it. On their
way to the Middle East,
the Christian knights would,
in general, visit terror
if not outright destruction
upon the Jewish communities
which happened to be on
their route. The Christians
