Feast of Weeks 

Shavuot (Pentecost or Feast of Weeks) is the secondof three harvest festivals celebrated in ancient Israel. It falls whenthe first fruits were ready for harvest.

Shavuot always occurs 50 days after the beginning of Pesach (Passover),and we count the Omer days from Pesach to Shavuot. On Shavuot, wecommemorate the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, just weeks after aharrowing escape from bondage in Egypt.

Tradition teaches that at the time of the giving of the Torah at Sinai,the Israelites had to be woken up to receive the Torah. In an attemptto repair this, to create a tikkun, mystics created the Tikkun LeylShavuot, in which we begin studying Torah during the night of Shavuot,rather than waiting for the morning. At Beth Sholom, Tikkun LeylShavuot begins with Ma'ariv and a festive meal, and then continues withan all-night learning marathon. Our Rabbi and members of thecongregation lead the study sessions, along with guest teachers. Atdawn, we hold a Shacharit morning service, which includes therecitation of the Aseret Hadibrot, the ten commandments.

Yizkor is recited at services on the second morning of Shavuot.