Study Sheet – The Omer and Shavuot
Olam study program revision sheet – Jewish conversion
1. Counting the Omer
The Omer is a 49-day period (seven weeks) counted between Passover and Shavuot (Vayikra 23:15-16). Each evening after Ma'ariv, the blessing "al sefirat haOmer" is recited and the day and week are counted.
The number 50 is symbolic: 50 gates of understanding, the 50th year = Jubilee. The 49 days form a spiritual ascent preparing for the receiving of the Torah.
Mourning restrictions: no weddings, no music, no haircuts or shaving. In memory of the death of Rabbi Akiva's 24,000 students, who perished during this period "because they did not show respect to one another."
2. Lag BaOmer (33rd Day of the Omer)
Date: 18 Iyar. This day marks the end of the mourning period and the end of the epidemic among Rabbi Akiva's students.
It is also the hillula (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, traditional author of the Zohar. Bonfires are lit, especially at Meron (northern Israel).
Omer restrictions are lifted on this day (weddings, music, haircuts permitted).
3. Commemorative Dates During the Omer Period
- Yom HaShoah (27 Nisan): Holocaust Remembrance Day
- Yom HaZikaron (4 Iyar): Memorial Day for fallen soldiers
- Yom HaAtzmaut (5 Iyar): Israel Independence Day
- Pesach Sheni (14 Iyar): "Second Passover"
- Lag BaOmer (18 Iyar)
- Yom Yerushalayim (28 Iyar): Reunification of Jerusalem
4. Shavuot – Overview
Dates: 6-7 Sivan (1 day in Israel).
Shavuot ("Weeks") commemorates the giving of the Torah (Matan Torah) at Mount Sinai, seven weeks after the Exodus. It is also the festival of First Fruits (Bikkurim) and the wheat harvest.
- Chag HaShavuot (Festival of Weeks): time elapsed since Passover
- Chag HaBikkurim (Festival of First Fruits): connection to the Land of Israel
- Zman Matan Torateinu (Season of the Giving of Our Torah): spiritual dimension
- Atzeret (assembly of conclusion of the Passover cycle)
According to tradition, all of Israel — men, women, children, and even the souls of all future generations — was present at Sinai.
5. Customs of Shavuot
- Tikkun Leil Shavuot: Torah study all night (Kabbalists of Safed, 16th c.). Midrashic reason: the Israelites fell asleep the night before the giving of the Torah — we "repair" this by staying awake.
- Reading of the Ten Commandments at Shacharit (the congregation stands)
- Reading Megillat Ruth: Ruth converts (she "receives the Torah" as Israel did at Sinai), the story takes place during harvest, Ruth is the ancestor of David (born and died on 6 Sivan according to tradition)
- Dairy foods: upon receiving the Torah, the Jews discovered kashrut laws and ate dairy. The Torah is compared to "milk and honey under your tongue" (Shir HaShirim 4:11). Cheesecake, blintzes, etc.
- Greenery decoration of the synagogue and home (Mount Sinai was verdant)
- Yizkor on the 2nd day (in the diaspora)
- Liturgical poem Akdamut (in Aramaic)
6. The Bikkurim (First Fruits)
The Bikkurim were the first fruits of the seven species brought to the Temple on Shavuot, accompanied by a declaration recounting the Exodus story (Devarim 26:5-10 — "My father was a wandering Aramean..."). An act of gratitude for the land's bounty. No longer practiced without the Temple.
Key Takeaways – Summary
- Omer = 49 days from Passover to Shavuot, counted each evening
- Mourning restrictions (students of Rabbi Akiva)
- Lag BaOmer = 18 Iyar, 33rd day, hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
- Shavuot = 6-7 Sivan, giving of the Torah, Bikkurim, harvest
- 3 names: Shavuot, Bikkurim, Atzeret
- Tikkun Leil: all-night study (Kabbalists of Safed)
- Megillat Ruth: model of conversion, ancestor of David
- Dairy foods: Torah = milk and honey
- Ten Commandments read while standing
- Bikkurim: first fruits of the 7 species at the Temple
- All of Israel present at Sinai (including future souls)
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