Shavuot in Australia

Shavuot is a Jewish celebration that commemorates the giving of Torah to the entire nation of Israel. Apart from that significant happening in the Jewish history, Shavuot is also celebrated to mark the grain harvest in Israel. The grain harvest lasted for seven days and was a season of gladness. The people started harvesting barley during the Passover and ended on the seventh day with a wheat harvest in time for the Shavuot. This Jewish event also celebrates the ripening of the first fruits of Israel.

The Jewish Celebration of Shavuot in Australia

The Jewish community observes three relevant events that focus on historical and agricultural importance: Passover, Shavuot, and Sakkut. Shavuot happens fifty days after the Passover and occurs on the sixth day of the month of Sivan according to the Jewish calendar.

The Jewish community in Australia organizes activities in remembrance to the relevant happenings connected to Shavuot—the giving of Torah to Israel, the fine harvest, and the ripening of the first fruits. Since Shavuot also means Feast of Weeks, the Jewish community in Australia arranges social gatherings such as the Kiddush ceremony. Kiddush is a prayer and blessing ceremony over wine to sanctify a Jewish holiday. It is performed by the head of the Jewish family. In Shavuot gatherings, the community partake dairy and pastry products like bread, cheesecake, ice cream, or any form of desserts. Big Jewish communities also arrange Shavuot banquet where prominent Jewish personalities are invited to grace the occasion. These prominent people are also encouraged to give a speech to inspire the whole Jewish community. They discuss topics related to Shavuot and give its background and history so the children will learn more about it.

Bread is always a part of the festival of Shavuot. It symbolizes the rich harvest of the Jewish that lasted for seven days, starting from the barley harvest up to the harvest of wheat on the last day. Similarly, sweet foods are also always visible during the event. Sweets symbolize the first ripening of the fruits of the Jewish people.

Brief History and Background of Shavuot

Shavuot is also known as Feast of Weeks, Festival of Weeks, or Feast of the Harvest. These names are derived from the seven-day week harvest, which is one of the events being remembered in the Shavuot celebrations. During the ancient times, the people bring their first omer or sheaf of barley to the temples of Jerusalem as their way of showing gratitude and thanksgiving offering. Shavuot also remembers the return of Moses from Mt. Sinai, bearing the tablets of the Ten Commandments. This is the reason why the celebration of Shavuot is also known as the Festival of the Giving of the Law.