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Shavu-what?

Yehuda Pevzner

Shavuot is a two-day Jewish holiday (June 11-13, 2024) that commemorates the date when G‑d gave the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai over 3,000 years ago. Preceded by 49 days of counting in eager anticipation, Shavuot is celebrated through desisting from work, candle-lit dinners, staying up all night to study Torah, listening to the reading of the Ten Commandments in synagogue, enjoying dairy foods and other festivities.

What Shavuot Commemorates

The Torah was given by G‑d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai on Shavuot more than 3,300 years ago. Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of G‑d’s gift, and G‑d “re-gives” the Torah.

The giving of the Torah was a far-reaching spiritual event—one that touched the essence of the Jewish soul for all times. Our sages have compared it to a wedding between G‑d and the Jewish people. Shavuot also means “oaths,” for on this day G‑d swore eternal devotion to us, and we in turn pledged everlasting loyalty to Him.


How Is Shavuot Celebrated?

  • Women and girls light holiday candles to usher in the holiday, on both the first and second evenings of the holidays. Tuesday evening, light the holiday candles at 8:09 PM. On Wednesday evening, light the holiday candles from a preexisting flame after 9:18 PM.  Visit www.chabad.org/85432 for the blessings.

  • It is customary to stay up all night learning Torah on the first night of Shavuot. Read how and why we stay up here.

  • All men, women and children should go to the synagogue to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments on the first day of Shavuot. Learn about the Ten Commandments here. Visit https://www.chabad.org/511695 to find a Torah reading near you.

  • As on other holidays, special meals are eaten, and no “work” may be performed.


Shabbat Shalom!


On Friday, June 7, light Shabbat candles at 8:07 PM


Visit Shavuot.org for more information on the upcoming holiday!


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