MAGAZINE: What Is Shavuot?

B"H


Sivan 1, 5772 * May 22, 2012

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Editor's Note:

Dear readers,

When the Jewish people left Egypt, they were a group of divided, and sometimes bickering, individuals. In seven short weeks of intense preparation, they managed to become a cohesive unit, an undivided nation. When writing of the Jews' arrival at Mount Sinai, the Torah uses the singular verb, "and he camped," as opposed to the expected "and they camped" (Exodus 19:2). So united were they at that time that they were considered one person, a comprehensive whole.

During the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot, we attempt to mirror this growth and transformation. Part of this is achived when we recognize and appreciate the differences in others, when we overlook each other's weaknesses and embrace our strengths and similarities, when the unison is greater than the divide.

Let's try to recreate that experience this Shavuot. Imagine the unity enveloping the Jewish nation at Mount Sinai, and try to replicate that in your own personal life.

And take your family [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=1192554440ABC89CAEA0DA2D08B849CA&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ]—including children, and even infants—to the synagogue and listen to the Ten Commandments being read.

Happy Shavuot [ http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=7E7905E274A2F1486A2F29CE8A83FFC3&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2 ].

Miriam Szokovski,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team



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THIS WEEK'S FEATURES:

HOLIDAY: SHAVUOT

Shavuot Minisite


Explore the meaning behind the holiday of Shavuot and its traditions. Find videos, recipes, insights and more.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=7E7905E274A2F1486A2F29CE8A83FFC3&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


What Is Shavuot?


Learn how to celebrate this little-known but deeply meaningful holiday. It is fun!

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=C0A85024E3F2D9E1CC9253B36A874201&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


"Hi, I'm Shavuot, Nice to Meet You" (By Moshe Parelman)


An unclear brand image and a competitive market have seen observance of the holiday marking the Giving of the Torah decline in recent centuries.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=F702CD7AF17D2B8035A2690DAEF580A0&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Who Needs Rules? (By Yanki Tauber)


These were a people just emerging from several generations of slavery. The last thing they would want--one assumes--is a set of restrictions on their lives.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=14DCE76B5D016D5A59B60F249BECC243&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


How Moses Challenged Heaven and Won (By Tzvi Freeman)


The classic case, Ministering Angels v. Moses, reported in the Talmud, has been public knowledge for millennia. Here is the entire dialogue as reconstructed from some of the declassified transcripts.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=42122BDFBB3C55B57F238782DADCCBA5&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Host a Shavuot Ice Cream Party (By Rita Brownstein)


Plan a beautiful—and delectable—ice cream party for your friends and family.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=E33EC1617EEE7E4DAFBF6138E9A1C12F&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Mexican Shavuot (By Shifra Devorah Witt and Zipporah Malka Heller)


Try out some Mexican food for Shavuot: fish tacos, cheese enchiladas, Mexican rice and more.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=9BB714BA047B4B838B84B79FCA6800EC&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


STORIES

The Shepherd's Gift to G-d (By Yitzchak Buxbaum)


A hand reached out from heaven to receive the coin . . .

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=1FE70EF3A532DF1D822BD9A0478AD97F&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Saved by the Coffee Cups


Business had not been good, and Matzliach simply had no money, not only for his usual feast, but not even for the needs of his own family in the way of food and wine for the festival.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=7AAE2497200A9CF4FB44F9B17C8247F1&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Ruth and Naomi (By Nissan Mindel)


Whenever our sages want to point to a shining example of Jewish womanhood, of self-sacrificing devotion to the higher things in life, of loyalty and modesty and excellence of character, they speak of Ruth.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=E121D643C44A240DDCB092A324977FEF&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


VIDEO

The Mystery of Shavuot (video) (By Moshe New)


Ask any child what we celebrate on Shavuot, and the obvious answer is the giving of the Torah at Sinai; yet the Torah makes no mention of it. How do we make sense of this glaring omission?

WATCH (42:34) >> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=C99DC8337C88741009A63672DB2645D6&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Keeping Irrigated Through Life's Wilderness (video) (By Chana Weisberg)


When we realize the importance of our individual roles, we are empowered to tackle and transform our personal wildnerness.

WATCH (26:19) >> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=2ED5B1F7CCC2261051C7847147A1CD7F&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


How to Shavuot (video)


A short overview of the customs and meaning of the holiday of Shavuot, when we celebrate the giving of the Torah.

WATCH (6:24) >> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=5AFABCF078F89CDC27F871B8CA85A5E5&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


VOICES

Jew Forever (By Sarah Zadok)


Even from afar, he looked a little scary. He was heavily tattooed, had a large chain swinging from his pocket, and was smoking a cigarette.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=72E757A79A6ED064ED30896D6C713BB0&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Under the Marriage Canopy (By Elana Mizrahi)

We measured our words carefully and got to the point. I told my husband, "I want to grow. I'm looking for someone who wants to grow with me. Are you willing?"

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=9C2AEEB59722A73FCE544CCC158F0A11&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


PARSHAH

To Count or Not to Count? (By Lazer Gurkow)


When the secretary asked for his net worth, he proudly replied, $13,403, 374.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=E6D080C262EFD1CC80F09C8F06D4C1D4&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Bamidbar in a Nutshell


Four camps, 12 tribes, 273 surplus firstborn, 22,300 Levites, 603,550 Israelites—each of whom count. Plus how to take apart G-d's home, transport it across the desert and put it back together again.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=6FF4CFDF6A53042ED9A303ECE2A9C98E&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


The 603,550th Jew (Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe)


Why so many numbers in the Book of Numbers?

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=8F907C6C82BC84A1FBB11DCDA589B98C&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


JEWISH HISTORY

A Timeline of the Six-Day War


A brief account of the war, with emphasis on some miraculous occurrences that characterized its battles.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=A1357C271C7EB7E30B9DC9B33F61A7A3&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


JEWISH NEWS

Wandering Florida Jewish Center Moves into Permanent Home (By Josh Lipowsky)

David and Fern Grace wanted their daughter Mackenzie to know more about her Jewish roots, but their education options were limited.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=F475DD36C832EBCA181698E86750C090&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2


Girl Wants to Collect 1,000,000 Cans from Her Hospital Bed (By Karen Schwartz)

Every night when Avery Sax goes to sleep, she says the twice-daily prayer known as the Shema.

>> http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=1ACFA018FC7C42F15CFAE29CBEF067F4&ui=F8C16ABBBCDB72AD0024EE2F647D78D2

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