Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy.
( Leviticus 21:15-16, 21-22 KJV 1611 AV )
Shavu’ot, the Festival of Weeks, is the second of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Passover and Sukkot). Agriculturally, it commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple, and is known as Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of the First Fruits). Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and is also known as Hag Matan Torateinu (the Festival of the Giving of Our Torah).
The period from Passover to Shavu’ot is a time of great anticipation. We count each of the days from the second day of Passover to the day before Shavu’ot, 49 days or 7 full weeks, hence the name of the festival. See The Counting of the Omer. The counting reminds us of the important connection between Passover and Shavu’ot: Passover freed us physically from bondage, but the giving of the Torah on Shavu’ot redeemed us spiritually from our bondage to idolatry and immorality. Shavu’ot is also known as Pentecost, because it falls on the 50th day; however, Shavu’ot has no particular similarity to the Christian holiday of Pentecost, which occurs 50 days after their Spring holiday.
It is noteworthy that the holiday is called the time of the giving of the Torah, rather than the time of the receiving of the Torah. The sages point out that we are constantly in the process of receiving the Torah, that we receive it every day, but it was first given at this time. Thus it is the giving, not the receiving, that makes this holiday significant.
Shavu’ot is not tied to a particular calendar date, but to a counting from Passover. Because the length of the months used to be variable, determined by observation ( see Jewish Calendar ), and there are two new moons between Passover and Shavu’ot, Shavu’ot could occur on the 5th or 6th of Sivan. However, now that we have a mathematically determined calendar, and the months between Passover and Shavu’ot do not change length on the mathematical calendar, Shavu’ot is always on the 6th of Sivan (the 6th and 7th outside of Israel. See Extra Day of Holidays.)
Work is not permitted during Shavu’ot.
It is customary to stay up the entire first night of Shavu’ot and study Torah, then pray as early as possible in the morning.
It is customary to eat a dairy meal at least once during Shavu’ot. There are varying opinions as to why this is done. Some say it is a reminder of the promise regarding the land of Israel, a land flowing with “milk and honey.” According to another view, it is because our ancestors had just received the Torah (and the dietary laws therein), and did not have both meat and dairy dishes available. See Separation of Meat and Dairy.
The book of Ruth is read at this time. Again, there are varying reasons given for this custom, and none seems to be definitive.
Pentecost!!
1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5) And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under Heaven.
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Amen!!
Let’s pray for America. 6-18-14.
http://teapartyorg.ning.com/
Dear Father, we thank you for your guidance and ask you to give all Christian the wisdom to seek the truth” the truth shall make us free” (John 8:32.
Father, let us not make the same mistake; Hitler began his Nazi party in Germany, modeling it on Mussolini’s Fascism. As with Fascism, thousands of Jews joined the Nazi party before the War, helping Hitler to gain total power, but eventually the Jews were targeted as Hitler and his Nazi party took over in Germany, killing millions of Jews and Christians.
Father give us the wisdom and courage to stop the demise of our Christians faith; Today, many Christians accept and even vote for socialist governments. They pray that God will support and guide the socialist leaders, under the wrong assumption that we are called to do so by God, though all the signs are that the government hates God and hate His people! Obama is prime examples of this hatred. Barak Obama is the worst enemy of Christians, as he blatantly destroys Christian teaching.
Father we are being divided by evil, many pious Christians go on to rebuke other Christians who will not accept or support the evil Obama government, saying that God demands that they give such support. Lord we know that this is a gross misperception, if not a sin.
Lord give us the courage to stand united as brothers and sisters to fight for our God given rights our U.S. Constitution and the rule of God’s law, not man’s tyrannical laws. This United States is “one nation under God with justice and liberty for all”. Romans 8. Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loved another hath fulfilled the law.
Thank you Lord, for making your will clear and give us the courage to fight this corrupt, tyrannical system of government. God is love, In God we trust; America is God’s country.
http://anticorruptionact.org/
...used to be a time when different Religions could be good neighbors and respect one another's
beliefs...then agitators arrived....
God Bless All Believers and especially those who graciously tolerate others Religion..
Israel is our only friend in an area that mostly is in the power of evil....