26 Questions
What is the name of the Rabbi who explained the custom of beautifying the holiday with flowers?
Rabbi Zvi Elimelech Spira of Dynów, also known as the Bnei Yissaschar
What is the significance of the rose in the Midrash's story?
The rose symbolizes the Jewish nation, which is seen as a precious and redeeming force in the world.
What is the biblical verse that the Midrash elaborates on?
“As a rose among the thorns, so is my beloved among the daughters”
What is the significance of the number 26 in the context of the story?
It represents the number of generations that passed before the Holy One, blessed be He, looked closely at His world.
What is the connection between the Jewish people's proclamation and the Holy One's calm?
The Jewish people's proclamation of 'We will do, and we will hear' calms the Holy One's spirit.
What is the significance of Shavuot being called the 'harvesting festival'?
It is a time to celebrate the harvest and the first fruits, leading to the custom of decorating with greenery and flowers.
What is the connection between the custom of decorating with flowers and the baskets of bikkurim?
The custom of decorating with flowers is a remembrance of the custom to adorn the baskets of bikkurim with flowers and greenery.
What is the significance of the oxen in the context of bikkurim?
The oxen leading the procession were adorned with flowers and greenery, as part of the celebration of the harvest.
Why is the Book of Ruth read on Shavuot night?
The Book of Ruth records King David's ancestry, and Shavuot is the birthday and yahrtzeit of King David.
What is the significance of Ruth's conversion to Judaism in relation to Shavuot?
Ruth's conversion to Judaism is significant because on Shavuot, all Jews were converts, having accepted the Torah and all of its precepts.
What is the custom regarding dairy foods on Shavuot?
It is customary to eat dairy foods on the first day of Shavuot.
Why is a two-loaf bread offering associated with Shavuot?
A two-loaf bread offering was brought in the Temple on Shavuot, and this is commemorated by eating two meals on Shavuot, a dairy meal and a meat meal.
Why did the Jews eat dairy on the day the Torah was given?
The Jews ate dairy on the day the Torah was given because, as the Torah was given on Shabbat, no cattle could be slaughtered nor could utensils be koshered.
What is the significance of the Hebrew word for milk, chalav?
The numerical values of the letters in the word chalav add up to 40, which is the number of days Moses spent on Mount Sinai when receiving the Torah.
Why is the Torah likened to nourishing milk?
The Torah is likened to nourishing milk because it is seen as a source of spiritual nourishment and sustenance.
What did the angels urge G-d to do when Moses ascended Mount Sinai?
The angels urged G-d to reconsider His decision to give His most precious Torah to earthly beings.
What is the quote from Psalms that is mentioned in the text?
"What is man that You should remember him, and the son of man that You should be mindful of him?" (Psalms 8:5-7)
Why did the angels' request go unheeded?
Because of the Jews' meticulous adherence to the laws of the Torah, including the kosher laws.
What is the custom on Shavuot regarding dairy products and meat?
Eating dairy products and then taking a break before eating meat, in order to demonstrate commitment to the mitzvah.
Who wrote about the custom of spreading grass and fragrant flowers on the floor of the synagogue in honor of Shavuot?
Rabbi Yaakov ben Moshe Halevi Moelin, known as the Maharil
What is one of the reasons given for decorating with greenery on Shavuot?
The miracle that occurred at Sinai, temporarily turning the desert into fertile land with an abundance of greenery.
What is another reason given for decorating with fragrant flowers and greenery on Shavuot?
The verse that says that from each and every utterance of the Ten Commandments, the entire world was filled with fragrant spices.
What is the significance of trees being placed in the synagogue on Shavuot?
To remind us to pray for the trees and their fruits, as G-d judges the earth on Shavuot and determines the abundance of fruits for the coming year.
What is the connection between Moses' basket and the custom of decorating with grass and reeds on Shavuot?
Moses was placed in a basket among the reeds of the river, and three months from his birth is the 7th of Sivan, the second day of Shavuot.
Why did Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilnius advocate for abolishing the custom of decorating with greenery on Shavuot?
Because the custom had become the practice of non-Jews to honor their own holidays.
What is the significance of the date of Moses' birth in relation to Shavuot?
Three months from Moses' birth on the 7th of Adar is the 7th of Sivan, the second day of Shavuot.
Study Notes
Shavuot Customs and Traditions
- The Book of Ruth is traditionally recited on Shavuot night, and in many synagogues, it is read publicly on the second day of Shavuot.
- Shavuot is the birthday and yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of King David, and the Book of Ruth records his ancestry.
Eating Dairy on Shavuot
- It is customary to eat dairy foods on the first day of Shavuot.
- Reasons for this custom include:
- The two-loaf bread offering brought in the Temple, commemorated by eating two meals on Shavuot (dairy and then meat).
- The giving of the Torah, which obligated Jews to observe kosher laws, and dairy was eaten as no cattle could be slaughtered on Shabbat.
- The Torah is likened to nourishing milk, and the Hebrew word for milk (chalav) has a numerical value of 40, representing the 40 days Moses spent on Mount Sinai.
- Demonstrating commitment to the kosher laws, as the angels requested G‑d to reconsider giving the Torah to earthly beings.
Decorating with Greenery and Flowers
- It is a custom to decorate the synagogue and home with greenery and flowers in honor of Shavuot.
- Reasons for this custom include:
- The miraculous transformation of the desert into fertile land with greenery when the Torah was given at Sinai.
- The fragrant speech of the Ten Commandments, which filled the world with fragrant spices.
- The judgment of trees on Shavuot, when G‑d determines the abundance of fruits for the coming year.
- Commemoration of Moses' miraculous salvation among the reeds of the river.
- The symbolism of the Jewish nation as a "rose among the thorns," and the world's salvation due to the Torah and Israel.
- The association of Shavuot with the harvesting festival and the first fruits, which were brought to the Holy Temple with greenery and flowers.
The Book of Ruth is recited on Shavuot night, commemorating King David's ancestry and the Festival of Harvest. Learn about the significance of Ruth in Jewish tradition.
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