Shavuot, the Jewish Pentecost, is a holiday that commemorates the single most important event in Israel’s history: the giving of the Torah (the first five books in the Hebrew Bible) to Moses at Mount Sinai. Although it is not as well-known among non-Jews as Passover or Sukkot, the Festival of Tabernacles, it is one of the three major festivals often called “pilgrim” festivals because in Bible times, all Jewish males were required to observe them at the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
It is a significant celebration in Judaism frequently mentioned in the Torah, where it is referred to as the Festival of Harvest, the Festival of Ingathering, and the Day of Firstfruits. As one of the major Jewish holidays, Shavuot is a time to renew our commitment to the covenant with God and to celebrate the profound gift of the Torah.
Christians will be more familiar with the Greek name for Shavuot, Pentecost—the holiday that Jesus’ followers were observing in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit was given to them. Since Pentecost is the Greek word for 50, and as Shavuot occurs 50 days after the first day of Passover, it was referred to as Pentecost in the Christian Bible.
The holiday is also known as the Festival of Weeks, since it is celebrated seven weeks (or 50 days) after Passover.
When Is Shavuot?
This year, Shavuot begins at sundown on Sunday, June 1, and ends at sundown on Tuesday, June 3. On the Jewish calendar, the holiday is held on the sixth and seventh days of Sivan, fifty days after the second day of Passover. As the Jewish calendar follows both the lunar (months) and solar (years) cycles, the three-day observance falls on different days on the Gregorian calendar every year.
In Israel, Shavuot is observed for just one day, on the 6th of Sivan (June 2, 2025).
The Feast of Passover, also known simply as Passover, is one of the most significant and ancient festivals in the Jewish calendar. It commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. This feast is rich in symbolism and holds profound theological significance within the Judeo-Christian tradition.
Biblical Origin:
The origins of Passover are found in the Book of Exodus. God commanded Moses to institute the Passover as a perpetual ordinance for the Israelites. The event is described in Exodus 12, where God instructs the Israelites to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and to mark their doorposts with its blood. This act was a sign for the Lord to "pass over" their homes during the final plague, the death of the firstborn in Egypt. Exodus 12:13 states, "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."
Observance and Rituals:
Passover begins on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan and lasts for seven days (eight days in the Diaspora). The central ritual of Passover is the Seder, a ceremonial meal that includes the retelling of the Exodus account. Key elements of the Seder include:
· The Paschal Lamb: Originally, a lamb was sacrificed and eaten as part of the meal. Today, a shank bone is often used as a symbolic reminder.
· Unleavened Bread (Matzah): The Israelites left Egypt in haste, without time for their bread to rise. Exodus 12:39 recounts, "They baked unleavened cakes of the dough that they had brought out of Egypt, for it was without yeast; because they had been driven out of Egypt and could not delay, they had not prepared any provisions for themselves."
· Bitter Herbs (Maror): These symbolize the bitterness of slavery in Egypt.
Theological Significance:
Passover is a profound reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness. It emphasizes themes of redemption, sacrifice, and covenant. The blood of the lamb, which protected the Israelites, prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God," as described in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 , Paul writes, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed."
New Testament Connections:
The Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples, was a Passover meal. During this meal, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper, or Communion, as a new covenant in His blood. Luke 22:19-20 records, "And He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'"
Cultural and Historical Impact:
Passover has been celebrated by Jewish communities for millennia, serving as a cornerstone of Jewish identity and faith. It has also influenced Christian liturgical practices, particularly in the observance of Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and is closely linked to Passover in timing and symbolism.
Conclusion:
The Feast of Passover remains a vital observance, rich in historical and spiritual meaning. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's deliverance and the hope of redemption through faith.
What is Pentecost?
Pentecost Sunday (May 20) marks the day most Christians believe the Holy Spirit descended on the followers of Jesus after his death, resurrection and ascension. The story comes from the New Testament Book of Acts: “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Jesus’ followers were amazed — they could speak languages they never knew before and they could understand others they had never heard. The Apostle Peter stood up and preached his first sermon — so many Christians think of this holiday as the “birthday” of the church.
What does that have to do with Shavuot?
A lot! Shavuot is called the “Festival of Weeks” because it is held seven weeks (and one day) after the second night of Passover. Originally tied to an ancient grain festival, it eventually became the holiday that marks God’s giving of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai.
The link between the two holidays lies in their names. “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word “pentekostos,” which means 50. Pentecost comes 50 days after Easter, when Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead. And 50 days also represents the gap between Passover’s second day and Shavuot. Some scholars believe Pentecost owes its name to Jesus’ Jewish followers who were gathered together to observe the festival of Shavuot.
What does Shavuot mean for contemporary Jews?
This is where the idea of “gifts” comes in. On Shavuot, which starts this year on Saturday evening, Jews mark not just the giving of the Torah by God, but their acceptance of the Torah. Some Jewish writers have compared the exchange to a marriage or other sacred covenant. One way the holiday is observed is through the reading of the Book of Ruth, the story of a woman who converts to Judaism and accepts the Torah.
What does Pentecost mean for contemporary Christians?
The gifts of the first Pentecost have different meanings to different Christians. Some interpret them as the spiritual benefits of accepting Jesus that bring a more meaningful earthly life. Others — especially those Christians known as Pentecostals — believe the first Pentecost gave all followers of Jesus “the gifts of the Spirit” — speaking in and interpreting tongues, the ability to prophesy, the power to heal by touch, the ability to discern spirits. Pentecostals believe those things are available to all Christians, and only those who accept them are able to fulfill the work and destiny that God has laid out for them.
What is another name for Pentecost?
In medieval Britain, Pentecost was sometimes called “White Sunday” — or Whitsunday — for the custom of wearing white.
Aleteia.org explains further: "The Merriam-Webster Dictionary confirms the etymology of the word, explaining how 'Whitsunday [is derived from the] Middle English Whitsonday, from Old English hwīta sunnandæg, literally, white Sunday; probably from the custom of wearing white robes by those newly baptized at this season.'
With this in mind, Pentecost is closely connected to the celebration of Easter and the coming of the Holy Spirit is emphasized in relation to the Sacrament of Baptism."
