Shavuot (June 12-13, 2024), the holiday of “weeks”, commemorates Israel's receiving the
Torah at Sinai. After the 49-day, 7-week
countdown since Passover, we at last reach
Shavuot on the 50th day. In the synagogue we read the story of the
Revelation at Sinai, in which God descended upon
Mount Sinai and
communicated directly with Israel, giving the nation the
Ten Commandments and its
unique mission to God and
mankind. We also read the
Book of Ruth, telling the story of one of Israel's finest
converts.
There are no specific mitzvot to fulfill on Shavuot, but some common customs are decorating the synagogue with plants (just as Mount Sinai blossomed), staying up
all Shavuot night studying
Torah, and
eating dairy foods such as
cheesecake.