— SACRED TIME —

Shavuot

May 22–23 · Judaism · Monotheisms

Moveable date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Giving of the Torah on Sinai, fifty days after liberation: freedom without Law is incomplete. Principle of collectively received revelation.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·All-night study vigil (Tikkun Leil Shavuot)
·Reading of the Ten Commandments at dawn
·Decoration with greenery and flowers

Traditional foods

·Dairy: cheesecake, blintzes
·Bread in two shapes

Offerings

·First fruits

Taboos to respect

·Do not stop studying before dawn

Associated symbols

Tablets of the Law · Mountain · Flowers