By Rena F., 6th Grade Student, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
The Jewish holiday of Shavuot celebrates the time when the Jews received the Torah, a holy book chronicling the history of the Jewish people, from God. Shavuot is told in the book of Exodus, one of five books that comprise the Torah. The holiday spans two days at the end of the Omer, a calendar that counts down the days from Passover to Shavuot. In Hebrew, Shavuot means weeks, because there are seven weeks in the Omer. Shavuot is celebrated in many different ways, including attending synagogue services, studying Torah, eating dairy treats and decorating with plants and flowers.
“Shavuot reminds me to be thankful for the Torah,” said Francesca P., a 6th grade student from Krieger Schechter Day School.
Lev S., another 6th grade KSDS student, described how his family celebrates Shavuot. “One family tradition is that we all get ice cream before Shavuot starts,” Lev said.
Francesca’s family, on the other hand, makes tasty treats on this holiday. “On Shavuot, my family makes blintzes (a thin pancake rolled up with cheese or fruit in it) and attends shul,” she said.
On Shavuot, the Book of Ruth is read. In this story, Ruth accepts Judaism and the Jews accept the Torah on Shavuot. Services are also a little different on Shavuot because we do not just read the Torah, we study it in-depth all night.
“I like how we study the Torah a lot, and studying on Shavuot gives me a different experience,” Francesca said.
Like other holy days, on Shavuot, some Jewish people avoid driving and using electronics. By avoiding these activities, people can focus on the holiday and its meaning. “On Shavuot, I don’t drive because it’s a holiday,” Lev said.
“I don’t play on electronics because I need to focus on the Torah,” Francesca added.
Though not as well-known as Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and Shabbat (the day of rest each week honoring the creation of the world), Shavuot is a very important holiday that celebrates the Torah.
Jmore Juniors Noah S. and Eli S. take a look at the differences between the Jewish communities of Baltimore and Chicago.
Madeline L., a seventh grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School, writes about the phenomenon that has been Starbucks over the past half-century.
An eighth grade student at Krieger Schechter Day School, Jmore Juniors writer Micah B answers an array of questions from his peers.
Jmore Junior Eitan Beck writes about the pros and cons of having electric cars in the future.