Shavuot (Feast of Weeks)
The giving of the Law at Sinai and the festival of first fruits, fifty days after Passover.
Bibelsk grunnlag
The command in Deuteronomy 16:9-12: 'Count seven weeks from the day you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain, and then keep the Feast of Weeks for the Lord your God.' Leviticus 23:15-21 regarding the offering of first fruits. Exodus 19-20 concerning the revelation at Sinai where the people receive the Ten Commandments. The Book of Ruth is read during Shavuot — her story takes place during the grain harvest, and she serves as a model for one who voluntarily chooses the Torah and the God of Israel.
Betydning
Shavuot connects the harvest festival with revelation: God gives both bread and law. The receiving of the Torah defines Israel as a covenant people. That Christian Pentecost fell on Shavuot (Acts 2) is theologically significant — the law of the old covenant written on stone tablets is replaced by the law of the new covenant written in hearts by the Spirit (Jeremiah 31:31-34, 2 Corinthians 3:3).
GT-forbindelser
Exodus 19-20 — the theophany at Sinai with thunder, fire, and the voice of God. Jeremiah 31:31-34 regarding the new covenant with the law written in hearts. The entire Book of Ruth. 2 Chronicles 15:10-15 concerning covenant renewal under Asa.
Liturgisk kontekst
Celebrated on 6 Sivan (50 days after Passover). In the synagogue, the Ten Commandments and the Book of Ruth are read. The tradition includes eating dairy products. Tikkun Leil Shavuot — all-night Torah study.
Historie
In biblical times primarily an agricultural festival. The connection to the revelation at Sinai developed in rabbinic times (after the destruction of the Temple). The writings of Philo (1st century) are among the earliest sources linking Shavuot to the giving of the Law.