June 11-13, 2024

Shavuot, literally translated as “weeks,” is the date commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It originally began a festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer wheat harvest, Additionally, Israelites brought crop offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem.

In modern times Shavuot is a celebration of Torah, education, dairy foods and actively choosing to participate in Jewish life. Many people stay up all night–or at least stay up late–studying Torah, often as part of community learning. These events are known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot, literally meaning “rectification for Shavuot night.” It also is customary to eat dairy foods such as blintzes and cheesecake Shavuot, as Jewish tradition compares the words of Torah to the sweetness of milk and honey.