Shavu’ot 5786

Eve: Thursday, May 21
Day 1: Friday, May 22
Day 2: Saturday, May 23

Shavu’ot commemorates the promulgation of the Ten Commandments and the presentation of the first fruits at the Sanctuary.
It is customary to spend the first night of Shavu’ot studying all night. There are special books that indicate the passages to be read from the Bible, the Talmud, and the Zohar. The Book of Ruth is read.
As with other solemn holidays, on Shavu’ot it is permitted to light a fire from an already lit fire (before Shabbat), and cooking and carrying objects from a public place to a private place are permitted.
In some communities, it is customary to have meals based solely on dairy products, perhaps because, not having yet received the Torah, Jews did not know how to slaughter animals kosher.
It is customary to adorn the Temple with flowers and plants, in memory of the scent the Jews smelled when the Commandments were promulgated.
Tachanun is not said from Rosh Chodesh Sivan until five days after Shavu’ot.