Shavuot Torah Study

An all night Torah study is a traditional way to celebrate Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks. Since the Covenant was given most likely at (or at least around) Shavuot, many people enjoy staying up all night reading and discussing the Word in anticipation and excitement of the fourth feast.

Certainly you don't have to attend a Torah study that goes through the night, but think of the wonderful opportunity to create memories with your family! For children staying up late is very exciting and indicates that something important is happening and is bound to be memorable. Rabbi Shaul once taught an all-nighter, and had a listener fall asleep and crash out of the window. He was dead but Shaul ran down and prayed and he was raised back to life! A late night pajama study or early morning Torah study with breakfast would also make this a special time.

Tips for a wonderful Torah Study:

-Have it at home or the congregation. Since Shavuot is a no-work day it is important that your Torah study is not held in a business, coffee shop, or library. While those are fine locations for study at other times it is inappropriate to do business on a Feast of YHWH. Meet in a home or at your congregation's meeting place if that's an option.

-Invite guests to wear comfy clothes. Let everyone know ahead of time that the dress code is relaxed. You could even host a pajama party study, so that everyone can go straight to bed when they get home.

-Be prepared for sleepers. If you are hosting families with young children have plenty of pillows and cozy blankets for those who fall asleep.

-Have coffee, tea, and snacks! And plenty of it if it will be a late night. Dairy, honey, and wheat are traditional foods of Shavuot. If you plan on serving breakfast a yogurt bar with lots of toppings would be fun and easy.

-Go over passages ahead of time. Grab a notebook and jot down questions or insights to share with everyone. This will help keep things moving if you hit a sleepy lull.

-Assign one person to do the Googling. The internet has many great resources for the study of Scripture, so don't be afraid to look things up as you go if you're wondering about the root of a word, a related passage, or whatever else. Putting one person in charge will keep things from turning into a 'look at your phone' party.

-Take breaks. Plan on having some time for bathroom breaks, making more tea, playing a game (maybe the Bible version of Apples To Apples?), and just chatting and catching up with friends. If you have art supplies you could set up a Scripture journaling station where guests can get creative illustrating a favorite verse. You could also watch or listen to a related teaching online to mix things up.

-Light the menorah. Having a lit menorah would be a festive touch to the evening. You could also decorate with balloons, bunting, streamers, etc. for more fun. Grab a free printable for Shavuot here.

-Have crafts for kids. While I don't think children should be separated from the Torah study, depending on their ages having a Ten Commandments or Ruach HaKodesh craft or two will help keep them connected to what's happening. You could also invite kids to share the stories they know from Scripture with the group.

-Take turns reading aloud and compare. This is a great way to get the less talkative involved and gives everyone else a chance to rest their voice. If you have different versions of Scripture available, reading the same passage in each can give helpful insight to better understanding a verse.

Speaking of verses, here is a list of passages to read during Shavuot, whether or not you find yourself at a late night Torah study. Some of these are traditional, some are where we see this feast celebrated in Scripture, and some I think are especially fitting during this time. Of course there are no wrong passages of the Torah to study, use these as a starting point.

What Scriptures to read during Shavuot?

Shemot 19-20 - the giving of the Covenant after the Israelites left Egypt.
Vayikra 23:14-22 - this passage is about Shavuot itself.
Deuteronomy 14-16 - this passage also goes over the Festivals of YHWH.
Ten Commandments - this is in Exodus 20:1-17. I like to emphasize these because of course the infamous Golden Calf story also happened around Shavuot, so it's important to know how to live correctly so we also do not break Covenant with YHWH.
Book of Ruth - this is traditional to read because the story takes place around the spring harvest time, like Shavuot itself. It also beautifully parallels the story of many of us who weren't born into a Torah based community but chose that path with the help of a redeemer. 
2 Chronicles 8:13 - Israel kept the Feasts under King Shlomo.
Acts 2 - this is where the Ruach HaKodesh was poured out on believers, just ten days after the ascension of Yahusha. It happened at Shavuot. 
Book of Acts - I love Acts because it is about those who lived both as followers of Yahusha and as keepers of Torah. This is the lifestyle we should have today.

What are you doing for Shavuot this year? We are a little over a week away so it's time to start planning.

Hebrew Holiday Calendar Dates + Printable

The definition of Hebrew is 'one who has crossed over to the other side.' I think that's pretty fitting for the Feast days of YHWH. They're not exactly mainstream. They're about as opposite as possible from that. You don't celebrate the Feasts by accident. It takes deliberate intent and action to leave behind the celebrations of our culture. To cross over. Which is why I've made this printable. Take it and pencil it in on your calendar now, put in for vacation time now. You won't be sorry. It really is a privilege and joy to celebrate YHWH's festivals.

These are the traditional dates for the Feasts this year, used by most Messianic and Jewish groups. There is a lot of debate over how this mashes up with the Gregorian calendar so I can't say for certain that these dates are absolutely correct. The second set is inspired by teachings out of Torah to the Tribes. Study for yourself and prayerfully consider when to celebrate the Festivals of YHWH, and then do what you need to be able to celebrate by taking off work, rearranging vacation plans, etc. I don't know if either set is flawless, but we can be joyful that we are taking steps to honor the Word and keep the commanded Feast days.

So how does this work?

For the first set of dates, days start at sundown. Meaning Sukkot starts the evening of October 16 and ends at sundown on October 24.

You will also want to keep in mind that work is not permitted on certain days during the Festivals, similar to a special Shabbat. We should honor YHWH by planning ahead to be free from our professional and home duties on those days.

Passover No Work Days:
April 22 - April 24
April 29 - 30
Work is permitted only April 25 - 28.

Shavuot No Work Days:
June 11 - June 12

Yom Teruah No Work Days:
October 2 - October 3

Yom Kippur No Work Days:
October 11 - October 12

Sukkot No Work Days:
October 16 - October 17
October 23 - October 24

(Again, starting the evening of the first date, and ending the evening of the second date.)

The Torah to the Tribes dates in the second set are morning to morning, with the exception of Yom Kippur, which Scripture says is evening to evening.

Click below to download!

Printable calendar in white
Printable calendar in orange
Torah to the Tribes in white
Torah to the Tribes in orange

These are completely free for your personal use.

Shavuot in Acts 2

There are many believers who place more emphasis on the Holy Spirit than on the written Word of YHWH. Other believers focus in on the Torah, while ignoring the Holy Spirit. But did you know these are inseparable? 

The most significant outpouring of the Holy Spirit happened in Acts 2. Most of us know this day as Pentecost, so we think of this day and the Holy Spirit as a brand new thing. Pentecost, however, is a Greek word that most Bible translators choose to call Shavuot.

The Holy Spirit was given at one of the festivals of YHWH. Shavuot was not a new thing in Acts 2, it first happened in Exodus 19, and is talked about in Leviticus 23, and Deuteronomy 16.

The Holy Spirit will always direct you to honor the Word of YHWH. And, yes, that includes the Torah and the instructions given there.

Tehillim 119:1 says,

"Blessed are those who are undefiled in your ways; who have their walk in the Torah of YHWH."

Happy Shavuot!

Celebrating Shavuot

Hopefully everyone is looking forward to the pinnacle of the Feast of Weeks! Whether you are new to keeping the festivals of YHWH or are just looking for some fresh ideas I've put together a list of fun traditions and new ideas. Do you have a favorite activity for Shavuot? Please share below!

Bake bread. Shavuot requires two loaves of wheat bread (Vayikra 23:16). In our culture bread is mostly purchased at the store, and is usually inexpensive and of very low quality. In days of past, however, bread was baked at home or bought from highly skilled bakers. As perhaps the staple of the diet, you can imagine they became quite good at baking and that was obvious tasting the bread. If possible, take the time to bake bread. Challah made with eggs and butter or olive oil is traditional but as long as it is leavened, any type will do.

Bring a free-will offering. YHWH says to rejoice by giving (Deuteronomy 16:10). Many times it's easy for giving to feel more like a tax or obligation than something to celebrate but Deuteronomy 16:10 says we are to give according to how YHWH has blessed us. He isn't asking us to give what we don't have. By giving we are celebrating that YHWH has provided for our needs.

Read the book of Ruth. This is a fun tradition for Shavuot since much of Ruth revolves around harvest season. Significantly Ruth was born a Moabite but chose to be grafted into the people of Israel, showing us that our bloodline is not what makes us Israel but choosing to follow YHWH. This is a fitting reminder during a holiday that is to be celebrated by all of YHWH's children.

Rejoice with your household. Deuteronomy 16:10 talks about celebrating with our family but doesn't stop there. Servants, Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows "that are among you" all get mentioned. Shavuot is an opportunity to share of the blessings and festivals of YHWH with others. Host a party to share about this holy day or prayerfully consider sending a card or gift to someone.

Have a festive meal. After all, it is also known as the Feast of Weeks. Since the first wheat harvest of the year is emphasized it makes since to include bread in your meal. Set up a crostini station with different toppings to try. Traditionally dairy foods are served on Shavuot since "milk and honey" is thought to be an euphemism for the Torah. Grilled cheese, blintzes, yogurt bars, and cheesecake are all common during the festival.

Teach the Ten Commandments. The Torah was given to Israel on or around Shavuot so studying the Ten Commandments is very fitting. Look for crafts to do with children or get a canvas and paint your own Ten Commandments to decorate with.

Study Torah. There is a Jewish tradition of staying up all night studying in anticipation of Shavuot. It's not everyone's cup of tea (remember the guy who fell asleep and fell out the window when Shaul was preaching?) but a late-night Bible study with lots of coffee would be memorable.

Get mikvahed. Yochanan the Immerser said that while he baptized with water, Yeshua would immerse with fire. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit was poured out in the form of fire on those in the Temple. And it happened on Shavuot. And with reasonably warm weather in most of the world what better time for a mikvah?

Remember the poor. In Vayikra 23:22 we are instructed to help provide for the poor. This is just a few verses after we are instructed to observe this festival. Look for ways you can bless others during the Shavuot season.

Ask for the Holy Spirit. Shavuot is the day the most remarkable outpouring of the Ruach Hakodesh. Spend time praying for more of the Holy Spirit of YHWH in your life, family, and community. Ask for understanding of the Word, and for the Ruach Hakodesh to be poured out.