iSavta | 21.05.2020

Have you ever wondered what this Jewish holiday is all about? Will understanding its practice be important for caregivers who might not necessarily be Jewish? What are we to expect during this time, and when will it happen this year?  

 

Shavuot is one of the most important holidays in Israel and in the Jewish communities elsewhere spread in different parts of the globe. Even some Christian denominations observe its practice and prepare a special program to celebrate this Jewish holiday. Its observance goes a very long way in the Jewish People’s history. It is clearly an ancient practice which has been celebrated even before the State of Israel was admitted to the United Nations in 1949. 

 

Shavuot is sometimes called the “Feast of Weeks” or “Pentecost.”  It is both a wheat harvest festival and the commemoration of the day when the Torah was given to the people of Israel, an event when God’s people have been betrothed to him on Mt. Sinai. The Torah (Law) somewhat represents the covenant between the bride (God’s people) and the bridegroom (God). It is said that Mt. Sinai bloomed with vegetation during this time. 

 

It is celebrated on the 50th day from the second night of the Passover. It is considered to be the time when the people of Israel were instructed to offer a grain offering of new grain to the Lord. This year, the celebration will start on the sunset of May 28, Thursday, and will end on the sunset of May 30, Saturday. Depending on community traditions, the details of the celebration varies. However, modern observances include:

 

AQDAMUT

 

Sometimes spelled as Akdamut, this is a practice of reading a liturgical poem that extol God’s greatness, Israel and the Torah. Composed by Rabbi Meir of Worms during the 1st First Crusade of 1096 when his own son was murdered, it conveys a message of God’s greatness and a sense of victory.

 

HALAV

 

This is the practice of consuming dairy products. This is a great time in Israel where all kinds of delicious cheesecakes are on display. This would have been a great time for family and friends to travel to the Holy land if it weren’t for COVID-19. 

 

In the Songs of Solomon, the King compared the Torah with honey and milk. Traditionally, Israelites also brought 2 loaves of bread as part of their offering before other grain offerings are offered at the altar.

 

RUT

 

The Book of Ruth in the Bible is also given importance on this celebration. Ruth, who was the faithful daughter-in-law of Naomi, travelled with her back to the land of Bethlehem, chose to stay with her instead of going back to her family. As a wheat harvest festival, this correlates with the coming of Ruth during harvest season, eventually marrying Boaz, who redeemed them. From their marriage, David was descended, who became the King of Israel. Incidentally, King David was both born and died on Shavuot. 

 

YEREQ

 

Since many believe that in anticipation of the giving of the Torah, Mt. Sinai blossomed with greenery and flowers, today, Israelites decorate their homes and synagogues with flowers and plants to honor the celebration of Shavuot. What an exciting sight to see!

 

TORAH

 

Fixing up a perceived national character flaw among the Israelites during the time when the Torah was given when Moses had to wake them up due to oversleeping when God was already waiting on the mountaintop, the Jewish community today, engages in an all night study of the Torah. 

 

Once they’ve finished the all-night study of the Torah, Israelites traditionally go to the Western Wall, thought to be the most sacred wall because of its location. Here, some 200,000 Jews gather to pray, many come before dawn. 

Since Shavuot is a very significant festival for our Jewish patients, it is very important that we caregivers understand where they are coming from. It may even be significant for us because even the American Constitution has roots in the Torah, and many values of society all over the world may have been grounded from it too. As caregivers who wish to give the highest Quality of Life to our clients, it will be best to understand the Shavuot so we can respect their affection towards it.

 

This year’s celebration may be different, considering the practice of the “new normal.” Caregivers can become creative in helping their patients celebrate, probably by decorating homes or halls of facilities with flowers. As the State of Israel slowly lifts its bans to keep everybody safe amidst the pandemic, and everybody is starting anew to live life, to continue economic activities, may this year’s celebration of the Shavuot be blessed, safe and meaningful for everyone.