Wishing you all a Chag Shavuot Sameach - a Happy Shavuot.
Shavuot (meaning "weeks") is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the giving and receiving of Torah - the Five Books of Moses - on Mount Sinai. Why "weeks?" Shavuot falls on the day following the counting of 7 weeks (a week of weeks) since Passover.
So, theoretically, the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt 50 days ago, and they have been on a journey all this time towards the foot of Mount Sinai. These have been their first tastes of freedom in 400 years, and I would imagine that they were scared, elated, confused, and traumatized. Now, they stand as a community and as a new people,below the mountain, and Moses has ascended to receive Torah.
In these few weeks, we move between two of God's greatest acts: the redemption from slavery, and now the revelation at Sinai.
I will be attempting an all-night study session tonight - there is a tradition of "Tikkun Layl Shavuot," in which Jews study texts and learn together all night, until sunrise. I will be attending a terrific session at the local JCC, which is offering study, dance, meditation, learning, and plenty of food and coffee.
Wishing you meaningful moments of learning and revelation in your own lives!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Chag Shavuot Sameach - Happy Shavuot!!
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3 comments:
you guys don't do your own programming? this is what i love about ny, there are so many options....we are doing a whole shebang here but it ends at 10pm. which is probably better for me:-)
chag sameach!
we had so much fun...yay!!!
WHAT I STHE LATEST WEIGTH NUMBER??mANY BLESSINGS IN YOUR NEW POSITION..SANDY
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