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DIY Shavuot Basket

Here's a fun and super simple DIY that you can make for Shavuot!

A lot of you have said that you have trouble finding decorations for the feasts - here's something that you can make for just a few dollars in about fifteen minutes. If you don't have a basket at home to use, head to a thrift shop. Each one I go to is always well stocked with baskets and they are rarely more than a few dollars. I found mine for 50 cents. Since you'll be painting it, the color doesn't matter. Just find a size and style you like.

You can use this DIY Shavuot basket for decoration or for gifting a few treats to your kids or a friend. And speaking of gifts, does anyone give presents for any of the festivals? To me Shavuot is a great time to do that, if it's your thing. Since it's only a one day celebration, there's a lot less to do, plus you don't have to worry about cleaning the leaven out of the kitchen, like for Matzah Week, or packing up to go somewhere for Sukkot. So gift giving can be a way to make Shavuot fun and special. Of course, you don't have to give gifts and there's a lot of other things you can use this basket for if you decide to keep it for yourself.

You will need:
Basket (mine is about eight inches across and eleven inches high)
Craft letters (mine are about an inch and a half high. I think refrigerator magnets would work too)
Glue gun
Spray paint

Place your basket on its side and then set the letters around the handle to get a rough idea of placement. Start with your V (since it's the the middle letter of Shavuot), and place it approximately in the center of the handle to help with symmetry. Space the letters as close or far apart as you wish. You can use a marker to dot the handle where each letter will go.

Once you know where your V is going, use hot glue to attach the bottom of the letter to the basket handle. Since the bottom of the letter has a pretty small surface area you will want to hold the letter in place for 20 or 30 seconds to make sure it stays where you want it. Once your first letter is secure move on to the next. I worked from the inside out adding the letters to help with the symmetry.

When you have all of the letters on for Shavuot, let it dry a few minutes to make sure your glue is set. Then you're ready to spray paint it in the color of your choice. I used coral. Check the directions of your spray paint for approximate drying time. I let mine dry overnight.

And voila - you have a Shavuot basket! Fill these with treats for the kids or a friend. You could also use this as a bread basket for serving or to hold cards or favors at a Shavuot get together. Or fill with muffins or fruit for a friend.

Feel free to use a bigger or smaller basket depending on what you're planning on doing with this. Obviously, you could use this DIY for any other holiday as well.

Gifts in my basket:
Ten Commandments Gummies
YHWH Echad Pin
Pins and stickers from Walk in Love
Ruach and Roll sticker
Yahweh Bracelet

Other ideas:
Sidewalk chalk
Craft supplies
Matchbox car or small toy
Seed packets
Necklace or bracelet
Menorah ring dish
Candy or chocolate
Dried fruit
Bubbles
Doodle Portions Coloring Book

More on Shavuot activities:
Celebrating the Fruit of the Spirit at Shavuot
DIY Shavuot Cupcake Toppers
Milk and Honey Desserts for Shavuot

Make Ahead Meals for the Sabbath

Make Ahead Meal Ideas for the Sabbath | Land of Honey

Sharing some ideas for make ahead meals for the Sabbath today! Especially when it's chilly (and it is here!), nothing beats a warm homemade meal, don't you think? All of these meal ideas are made ahead and then simply reheated when you're ready to serve. You could microwave them if you wish, but if you're feeding several people it's easier to just place your dish in the warm oven.

How long it will take to reheat them will vary, but probably 30 minutes for most of the casseroles would be a good starting point. Less time for the meals where you are just heating up an element or two, like the falafel. If your dish is glass or ceramic, most manufacturers recommend letting the oven preheat before putting in the dish, as there is less chance it would crack that way. Shabbat friendly accompaniments would be green salad, bread, raw veggies, and relishes like olives and pickles.

If slow cooker meal ideas or cold lunches would be a better fit for you, here are some ideas.

Vegetarian Cajun Spiced Shepherd's Pie from Healthy Nibbles and Bits

Vegetarian Cajun Shepherd's Pie | Land of Honey

Butternut Squash Falafel from Snixy Kitchen

Make Ahead Butternut Squash Falafel for Shabbat | Land of Honey

Mexican Rice Stuffed Peppers from Healthy Nibbles and Bits

Make Ahead Mexican Rice Stuffed Peppers for Shabbat | Land of Honey

Broccoli, Cheddar, and Spinach Frittata from Cookie and Kate

Shabbat Breakfast - Broccoli Cheddar Frittata| Land of Honey

Rutabaga Baked Ziti from A Beautiful Plate

Paleo Make Ahead Baked Ziti | Land of Honey

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Broccoli from Love and Lemons

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes Stuffed with Broccoli | Land of Honey

Lentil Baked Ziti from Cookie and Kate

Make Ahead Lentil Baked Ziti for the Sabbath | Land of Honey

Moroccan Lentil Stuffed Eggplant from Minimalist Baker

Moroccan Lentil Stuffed Eggplant for the Sabbath | Land of Honey

Harissa Roasted Cauliflower with Delicata Squash from Healthy Nibbles and Bits

Harissa Roasted Cauliflower and Delicata for the Sabbath | Land of Honey

Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa Gratin from Cookie and Kate

Broccoli Cheddar Quinoa - Make Ahead Meals for Shabbat | Land of Honey

Butternut Squash Baked Mac and Cheese from Healthy Nibbles and Bits

Butternut Squash Baked Mac and Cheese - Make Ahead Meals for Shabbat | Land of Honey

Zaatar Grilled Chicken Bulgar Bowls from A Beautiful Plate

Zaatar Grilled Chicken Bulgar Bowls - Make Ahead Meals for Shabbat | Land of Honey

Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples from Minimalist Baker

Easy Cinnamon Baked Apples - Make Ahead Sabbath Dessert | Land of Honey

Baked Pear, Chocolate, and Hazelnut Oatmeal from Top With Cinnamon

Baked Pear, Chocolate, and Hazelnut Oatmeal - Make Ahead Sabbath Breakfast | Land of Honey

More Sabbath meal ideas:

The No Stress Guide to Sabbath Meal Prep

Slow Cooker Meals for the Sabbath

Biblically Clean Salads to Make Ahead

Hebrew School: What is sin?

What is sin? A look at the Hebraic perspective | Land of Honey

In today's lesson I want to focus on understanding what sin actually is according to Scripture. Too often the definition gets muddled and people are left thinking that 'sin' is just having a bad attitude or in general "falling short" or that being a 'sinner' is just a vague sense of not being good enough. There is a lot of confusion about what sin is and if we don't stop to define it we can't end up with some very incorrect ideas about Scripture.

In John 8, the Messiah tells the woman who was caught in adultery to, "Go and sin no more." This tells us that the definition of sin to Yahusha is clear cut and easily understandable. This is not like an encounter with an upset boss who tells you not to disappoint him again when you're not sure what he is upset about in the first place. That doesn't leave you with any tangible ways of how to please your superior. But when the Messiah said it, the woman understood that she really could stop sinning because she understood what that was.

What is sin according to Scripture?

1 John 3:4 tells us.

Anyone who commits sin violates Torah, for sin is the transgression of the Torah. RSTNE

Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah - indeed, sin is violation of Torah. CJB

Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. BYNV

Everyone who sins breaks God's law, because sin is the same as breaking God's law. CEV

Scripture defines sin as disobeying the commandments of YHWH. This particular sentence was penned by John, who of course as one of the disciples spent a lot of time with the Messiah. If Yahusha had taught that it was okay to disobey the instructions of YHWH John would have heard him, but he didn't!

Did you know that even in the New Testament Scripture defines sin as breaking the commandments found in the Torah? | Land of Honey

Is this just talking about commandments in the New Testament?

First of all, when John wrote this there was no 'New Testament.' At the time the Scriptures consisted of the Tanakh, or what many would call the 'Old' Testament. All of John's basis for commandments would have come from the Tanakh, as did all the Messiah's teachings on the instructions.

Second, when instructions are given in the 'New Testament' they stem from the commandments in the Torah. We see the Messiah do this many times like in Matthew 5:27-28 when he talked about adultery. He acknowledged the commandment to not commit adultery, and then clarified that you shouldn't even think about it. He gave us a better understanding of the commandments, he never did away with them.

What does this mean?

It means we don't have to wonder what sin is or if we're doing it. By studying Scripture we learn the commandments of YHWH and that tells us how we should live. By keeping the commands we are obedient to YHWH. He does not want us to be in the dark, blindly guessing at every decision what his will would be. Understanding what sin is empowers us to walk with confidence in our faith.

Read these passages with a better understanding of sin.

"If you don't do what is right, violating the Torah is crouching at the door - it wants you, but you can rule over it." -Genesis 4:7

"If we confess we have violated his commands he is faithful and just to forgive us." -1 John 1:9

"He bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to Torah violations and live for righteousness." -1 Peter 2:24

"Forgive others when they violate the commandments against you, and YHWH will also forgive you." -Matthew 6:14

"Should we violate the Torah because we have the favor of YHWH? Of course not." -Romans 6:15

"Direct my footsteps with your word. Don't let violating the commandments rule over me." -Psalm 119:133

"We have violated the Torah and done wrong." -Daniel 9:5

Yahusha said, "I tell you that everyone who violates the Torah is a slave." -John 8:34

"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I wouldn't disobey your commands." -Psalm 119:11

"He did not violate the Torah." -Hebrews 4:15

This New Testament verse says that everyone who violates the Torah is a slave! | Land of Honey

More Hebrew School:
What a Hebrew is
The Set Apart Times of Scripture
Keeping the Law...even if we can't do so perfectly
What a 'no-work day' is
The Northern and Southern Kingdoms
Syncretism!
Why We Don't Sacrifice Animals

Eat to Remember - Passover Pictures

One page Haggadah for a Messianic Passover | Land of Honey

I hope everyone had a very special celebration of Passover, First Fruits, and Unleavened Bread! Were you able to attend a Seder or did you host one yourself? Here are a few pictures from my congregation's.

We don't have our own building so for Passover we rent a small building in an area park. It's really just a large empty space with a kitchen and bathrooms. Which is perfect for us.

Other than the tables and chairs, everything is brought in for Seder. We do this potluck style with everyone pitching in. One person brings the plates, another silverware, someone else the glasses. Everyone brings serving spoons, tablecloths, and a menorah. It's a fair amount of work for everyone but it's doable.

If you're hosting a Seder or Passover celebration I would definitely recommend getting everyone involved with various tasks throughout the evening, whether that's candle lighting, refilling cups, or washing dishes afterwards. Doing work side by side with someone is a much more significant experience than having a few people cater to everyone else. More fun too!