Rabbi Art: Save Jun 8 for Shavuot!

“In every generation, each one of us is obligated to experience, on a personal level, the Exodus from Egypt.” This key verse from the Haggadah reminds us each year why we celebrate Pesakh. We were there!  We were slaves in Egypt!  We were witness to the redemption at the shores of the Sea of Reeds!  And we desire to pass on to the next generation our great story of Slavery and Liberation. 

However, according to our tradition, we didn’t stop at the shores of the Red Sea, we continued on to Sinai to receive the Torah.  And so, whether you observe Pesakh for 7 or 8 days we don’t stop there, we continue counting (the Omer) until we reach Shavuot, the fiftieth day after Pesakh. The Festival of Shavuot (this year it begins on Sunday evening, June 8th) traditionally celebrates agricultural spring harvest as well as the Giving of Torah, Matan Torah.  We, like Reform congregations throughout North America, also observe this day as the time for our 10th graders to celebrate the ceremony of Kabbalat Torah (Receiving the Torah).

Please add this very special date to your calendar. In fact, print this flyer out and stick it to the fridge. Now that we have celebrated our personal liberation from Egypt amidst the Jewish community, we can participate in receiving the Torah, “re-enacting the Sinai moment,” on Shavuot.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Art Donsky