Shavuot

The Purpose

Shavuot  [shah-voo-awt] is a time to thank YHVH (GOD) for HIS physical provision by bringing HIM the firstfruits of the wheat harvest. It is also a celebration of the Torah or the revelation of YHVH’s Word. It was during Shavuot that YHVH (GOD) gave HIS people the Torah at Mt. Sinai. This is also a time to celebrate the HOLY SPIRIT. It was during this time that the HOLY SPIRIT was poured out on the early believers. This is one of three feasts that YHVH (GOD) decreed that all Israelite men were to present themselves at the Temple in Jerusalem to meet with HIM. 

 

The Time 

Shavuot is observed in the late spring, the sixth day of the month of Sivan (May or early June), which is  fifty days from the Feast of Firstfruits (Lev. 23:15-16; Dt 16:9-10). The fifty days between The Feast of Firstfruits and Shavuot is referred to as “The Counting of the Omer”(Hebrew for measure or sheaf).

The History

Shavuot is also known by several other names throughout the Scriptures. It is called “The Feast of Weeks” (Ex. 34:22; Dt. 16:10; 2 Chr. 8:13), because seven weeks are counted from The Feast of Firstfruits until Shavuot. It is also referred to as “The Day of Firstfruits” (Num. 28:26) since Shavuot is the day that the firstfruit offerings of the summer harvest are presented. The outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT commonly known as Pentecost, like the giving of the Torah, occurred during the season of Shavuot (Acts 2). 

Celebrated

It is a widespread practice to eat milk and honey during Shavuot as a reminder of the Torah, since the word of YHVH is like milk and honey to the soul. Enjoying cheesecakes and other cheese filled pastries are common during this time.
It is also customary to bake two loaves of challah on Shavuot to represent the two loaves offered in the Temple and the two tablets of the Torah received by Moses on Mt. Sinai.

The Spiritual Focus

It was during Shavuot, after Yeshua’s death, resurrection and ascension, that the disciples experienced the outpouring of the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 2). The sound of a powerful wind and the tongues of fire would have been reminiscent of what the Israelites experienced at Mt. Sinai when YHVH (G-D)made HIS covenant with HIS people (Ex.19: 16-20).  The sound of the holy utterance got the attention of the crowds that had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot. After Peter shared about how YESHUA fulfilled the prophecies of the Scriptures, he urged them all to repent and some 3,000 trusted in the Lord and were saved!