American Jews typically associate Shavuot with the Book of Ruth, late-night Torah study sessions and eating at least one generous helping of cheesecake.
The holiday of Shavout/Vows is a celebration commemorating the giving of the Torah 3500 years ago – fifty days after the Jewish People gained freedom and became a nation. The Cabala relates this event as a marriage between the Creator, the husband and the Jewish People, the bride.
In a Jewish wedding, the man gives something of worth to the woman and the woman gives herself to the man; at the giving of the Torah, God gave the Jewish People the Ten Commandments and the Jewish People gave themselves to God – promising to fulfill the 613 Commandments inscribed in the Torah.
Every year at this time the Torah is given anew and the vows are rekindled. Shavout concludes what began the first night of Passover 50 days earlier; both holidays happened at night – the greatest light comes out of the darkness. The two days of Shavout are prefaced by the Shabbot.
This three day holiday is mirrored by the Memorial Day weekend celebrating those who fought for freedom. The Talmud-Book of Law writes, There is no freedom without Torah. The freedom of choice given to the human being is, how to use our freedom, to pursue money or pursue truth?
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