Tikun Leil Shavuot: Everyone Has a Story
Thursday evening, May 21st, 7:00 p.m.
Shavuot occurs seven weeks after Passover and is a major holiday celebrating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the spring grain harvest. Several traditions include eating dairy foods, all-night study sessions (Tikun Leil Shavuot), reading the Book of Ruth, and more.
One focus of Shavuot is the celebration of Jews by Choice. As we commemorate the giving and acceptance of the Torah at Mount Sinai, we also honor those who have consciously chosen to embrace the covenant. This theme is reflected in the Book of Ruth, the story of the quintessential convert.
Our evening will feature Furkan Safak who, like Ruth, has chosen Judaism and will share his very personal and unique journey. We will also hear from members of our community, Sharon Wilson and Phil Johnson who, while not Jewish, support Jewish homes and families with deep commitment and care.
The evening will include engaging learning, holiday services, and a dairy reception in keeping with Shavuot tradition.
RSVP by Monday, May 18th and let us know you’ll join us!
The evening is complimentary but your reservation will help us to properly prepare food and materials.
RSVP below or call the office at 619 697-6001.
Shavuot Services and Yizkor
Friday, May 22nd, 9:30 a.m.
Our holiday services will include the reading of the Ten Commandments during the Torah Reading, the reading a The Book of Ruth, and a Yizkor Memorial service commemorating the lives of loved ones we have lost.
Shavuot Candle Lightings and Services
Thursday, May 21st
- Tikun Leil Shavuot at 7:00 p.m.
• Candle lighting is at 7:26 p.m.
Friday, May 22nd
- Shavuot services begin at 9:30 a.m. Yizkor Memorial Prayers will be recited.
About Shavuot:
Shavuot, known as the Feast of Weeks, commemorates the day God gave the Torah to the nation of Israel assembled at Mount Sinai. It also marks the all-important wheat harvest in the Land of Israel.
One of the Shalosh Regalim, the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals, Shavuot (meaning “weeks”) marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer. The Torah commands the seven-week Counting of the Omer, beginning on the second day of Passover, to be immediately followed by Shavuot. This counting of days and weeks is understood to express anticipation for the giving of the Torah. On Passover, the people of Israel were freed from their enslavement in Egypt; on Shavuot they were given the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God.
Why dairy? Glad you asked!
People eat dairy on Shavuot, also known as Yom HaShvat, to commemorate the 40 days Moses spent on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah. The Hebrew word for milk is chalav, which has the numerical value of 40. Other reasons for eating dairy on Shavuot include:
- Modesty: Dairy symbolizes modesty, as the Torah should be approached with humility.
- Milk and honey: The Torah is compared to milk and honey in Biblical literature.
- Milk also represents purity in Torah literature.