

The Torah tells us it took precisely forty-nine days for our ancestors to travel from Egypt to the foot of Mount Sinai (the same number of days as the Counting of the Omer ) where they were to receive the Torah. Thus, Leviticus 23:21 commands: 'And you shall proclaim that day (the fiftieth day) to be a holy convocation...' The name Shavuot, 'Weeks,' then symbolizes the completion of a seven-week journey.


Shavuot is celebrated seven weeks after Passover (when the barley harvest begins). These seven weeks are called the Omer and are counted ceremonially. This counting, called s'firat ha-omer, begins on the second day of Passover.The source for this practice is found in the book of Deuteronomy, "You shall count off seven weeks...then you shall observe the Feast of Weeks to Adonai your God" (Deuteronomy 16:9-10).The counting of the Omer takes place daily after the evening service.


Recognizing that Shavuot has both agricultural and religious roots, the holiday is known by several different names: Shavuot, Z'man Matan Torateinu and Chag HaBikkurim.

Z'man Matan Torateinu translates as "the season of the giving of our Torah"; and Chag HaBikkurim means "the festival of first fruits".

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