by Cantor Emma Lutz
The precepts of Torah are sweeter than honey and drippings of honeycombs. (Psalm 19:11)
This week, we conclude our 49-day journey from redemption at Passover to the celebration of God’s revelation of Torah at Sinai on Shavuot. There are many different traditions for the celebration of this festival: one tradition is to stay up until sunrise studying, another includes the enjoyment of dairy treats like cheesecake and blintzes, and we also read a beautiful story of friendship between Naomi (sweet, delightful one) and her daughter-in-law in the Book of Ruth. And still, perhaps the sweetest tradition around Shavuot is the practice of bringing children to learn at houses of study for the very first time and marking this extraordinary occasion. Cakes oozing with honey are shared with children as they learn their first verses of Torah and joyful Hebrew songs.
The message from our tradition is loud and clear: Jewish learning is sweet and each one of us should have our fill!
Over the next few days as we celebrate this festival of Shavuot, we hope you will join us in study, song, and delicious celebration. On Friday evening at our 6:15 p.m. service, we will celebrate our youth confirmands and graduates, acknowledging their study of Torah and their commitment to our community. On Saturday, we offer multiple opportunities to study together on Shavuot evening either in your neighborhood or on our Wise campus at 7 p.m. (visit our web site for more information). On Sunday morning, come pray at our 9 a.m. festival service, or join us at 10 a.m. as our 6th Grade Religious School students lead us in a special Aliyah ceremony where our Kindergarteners will also receive their own Torah scrolls for the very first time. And on Monday morning at 8:15 a.m., our Wise School students will lead and participate in tefillot as we wrap up our festival celebration.
Our campus is bursting with Torah, learning, and meaningful moments every single day. We hope you will join us on at least one occasion to share in the celebrations of this Shavuot festival. Wishing you a sweet and joyful holiday!