Shavuot: The 50th Day
We have reached the end of a journey of 49 days and for those of us who count the Omer, the counting is concluded. The fiftieth day (Shavuot) was, of course, our destination and the reason for the counting of the Omer at all. This can be compared to the seventh day Shabbat as the destination or the reason for the previous six days of work. Shavuot is one of the most important and profound holidays on the Jewish Calendar. Shavuot begins (or began) at sundown on Tuesday night (May 22nd) and lasts until sundown on Wednesday night. Shavuot signifies the 50th day following Pesach, during which Israel first received the holy transmission of the Torah from the Creator. This time is very special in that it represents when Israel (as one) listened and "received" the words of the Ineffable. Essentially according to tradition, they accepted their role as a holy nation. And their acceptance and willingness to "hear and obey" was also their acceptance of the conditions (not only the 10 Commandments, but also the 613 Commandments) of the vow they made with the Creator. Another tradition states that all of us, all of humanity, the root of every tribe on this earth was present during the giving of the Torah. A Few Things to consider about Shavuot:
1. The literal meaning of the word Shavuot means “weeks.”
2. Another meaning of the word Shavuot signifies “oaths.”
3. It concludes the seven weeks of correction and preparation for the Matan Torah, or the giving (receiving) of the Torah. Without this preparation, the “receiving” could not be accomplished in a way that actually connects us to the Upper World and the Creator. We could not do this on our own with no preparation.
4. The word mitzvah, or in English, commandment, actually signifies a command, and a connection. What do we connect to by the accomplishment or performance of mitzvot? The Light. This is how we sanctify our part of the Creation, our environment.
5. One of the traditional names of Shavuot is the Celebration of the Harvest. During this time of year, wheat (the omer) was one of the last grains ready to be harvested. We could even say that the seven weeks (49 days) of the counting of the Omer was actually the sowing and expansion period of our (spiritual) wheat.
6. David HaMelech (David the King) was born on Shavuot and died on Shavuot.
7. According to Kabbalah, Shavuot represents the Supernal (Holy/Divine) marriage union between the Light of the Creator and the Feminine Divine Presence, the Shechinah.
8. In order to honor this Holier (Higher) union, marital relations are forbidden during Shavuot.
9. There is the tradition of studying the Torah/Zohar for most, if not all of the night. This is often referred to as “Adorning (or ornamenting) the Bride.”
