|
|
June 10, 2005
The giving of the Torah
Shavuot is also a celebration of the fertile harvest.
DVORA WAYSMAN
Like so many Jewish festivals, Shavuot (which is the Hebrew
word for "weeks," from the root word for "seven")
has both religious and seasonal significance. It is celebrated on
6 Sivan, seven weeks after the second day of Passover, and it marks
the beginning of the Israeli spring harvest (hence it is also called
Chag Habikkurim, Festival of the First Fruits) and the time
of the giving of the Law. These two themes are eternally woven together
in this festival.
In ancient times, pilgrims travelled from all over Jerusalem to
bring offerings of the first fruits and to witness the ceremonies
of the festival at the Temple. Processions were accompanied by harp
and flute music and the singing of psalms and hymns.
The significance of Shavuot as the time of the giving of the Torah
is one of the dominant motifs in the festival. Based on a number
of passages in the Bible dealing with the Israelites' journeyings
through the wilderness and their arrival at Sinai, it was proven
that the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai must have taken place
on 6 Sivan, the very time when the agricultural festival is celebrated.
Many customs have become interwoven with Shavuot. It is traditional
that only dairy foods and honey are eaten on these days, linked
to the passage "honey and milk shall be under your tongue,"
(Song of Songs 4:11) implying that the words of the Torah are as
pleasant and acceptable to our ears and hearts as are milk and honey
to our tongues.
Homes and synagogues are decorated with flowers and green branches
as a reminder that on Shavuot, the world is judged through the fruit
of the trees, a judgment demonstrated by the richness or meagreness
of the harvest.
Many pious people spend the entire night on the eve of Shavuot studying
passages from the Bible, Mishnah, Talmud and Zohar. The Book of
Ruth is read in the synagogue because the events of the book occur
at the time of Israel's grain harvest. It tells of how Ruth the
Moabite clung to the Jewish people and their faith, and records
the birth of David, descended from Ruth. There is also the tradition
mentioned in the Talmud that King David was born and died on Shavuot.
A special song, composed 1,000 years ago, is still sung in synagogues
at Shavuot. "Akdamut Milin" ("Before the Words")
is a hymn to God's glory, His Torah and the righteous who study
it. It is appropriate for the festival as it exults the blessing
bestowed on the Children of Israel when they were selected to receive
the Torah.
In Israel, the agricultural significance of Shavuot is most meaningful
in the agricultural settlements – be they kibbutzim, moshavim
or private farms, where people feel the special joy of harvesting
crops which they planted themselves.
In kibbutzim, each agricultural branch presents the fruit of its
labor as a long procession of suitably decorated tractors approaches
a stage. Here, the produce is accepted and men, women and children
connected with vineyard or cowshed, orange grove or poultry yard,
tell of their work and plans. As they bring in the first fruits,
they express in readings, song and dance, the story of the harvester.
Pageants might be performed showing the arrival of pilgrims at the
gates of Old Jerusalem, where they are met by the elders who greet
them and lead them to the (imaginary) Temple. The actors give their
baskets of first fruits to "the priest" who places them
around "the altar." Today, the songs and music are composed
in the spirit of the new Israel and the dances have the rhythm of
modern times.
The new customs that Israelis have introduced to Shavuot have brought
the wheel full circle. Again we are celebrating it as an agricultural
festival, but with the realization that the giving of the Torah
at Mount Sinai marked Israel's entry into national maturity. By
accepting the Torah of justice and its commandments and proclaiming
God's unity, Israel has been promised eternal existence.
Dvora Waysman is the author of nine books. She lives in
Jerusalem.
^TOP
|
|
