Story posted: Sunday, 13. May 2007 by Rafael Ben-Ari

Shavuot, also spelled Shavuos is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan, corresponding to late May or early June. It marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer and the day the Torah was given at Mount Sinai. It is one of the shalosh regalim, the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals mandated by the Torah.Unlike the other two pilgrimage festivals, Passover and Sukkot, the date of Shavuot is not explicitly mentioned in the Torah. Rather, its occurrence is directly linked to the date of Passover. The Torah mandates the seven-week Counting of the Omer, beginning on the second day of Passover and culminating on the 50th day, Shavuot. This counting of days and weeks expresses anticipation and desire for the Giving of the Torah. At Passover, the Jewish people were freed from being slaves to Pharaoh; at Shavuot they accepted the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God.All photos by Rafael Ben-Ari/Chameleons Eye

Browse the gallery: Israel Shavuot Pictures

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