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Shavuot: Difference between revisions
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== | ==Preparing for Shavuot== | ||
# Some say that thirty days before Shavuot one should start learning the halachot of Shavuot, whereas others say that one should start from [[Rosh Chodesh]] Sivan. <ref>In Gemara Pesachim 6a, Rabbanan hold that one should begin to learn Hilchot [[Pesach]] thirty days in advance of [[Pesach]], whereas Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel holds only 2 weeks. Rabbanan learn this idea from Moshe who taught the laws of [[Pesach Sheni]] thirty days in advance which was [[Pesach]] in Nissan. S"A 429:1 rules like the opinion of the Rabbanan. Mishna Brurah 429:1 quotes some who entend this to other Yamim Tovim such as Shavuot, whereas the Gra held that it does not apply to Shavuot.</ref> All agree that on the holiday itself one should learn the halachot of Shavuot. <ref>Gemara [[Megillah]] 32b states that one should learn the halachot of Shavuot on Shavuot. Mishna Brurah 429:1 quotes this as halacha.</ref> | # Some say that thirty days before Shavuot one should start learning the halachot of Shavuot, whereas others say that one should start from [[Rosh Chodesh]] Sivan. <ref>In Gemara Pesachim 6a, Rabbanan hold that one should begin to learn Hilchot [[Pesach]] thirty days in advance of [[Pesach]], whereas Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel holds only 2 weeks. Rabbanan learn this idea from Moshe who taught the laws of [[Pesach Sheni]] thirty days in advance which was [[Pesach]] in Nissan. S"A 429:1 rules like the opinion of the Rabbanan. Mishna Brurah 429:1 quotes some who entend this to other Yamim Tovim such as Shavuot, whereas the Gra held that it does not apply to Shavuot.</ref> All agree that on the holiday itself one should learn the halachot of Shavuot. <ref>Gemara [[Megillah]] 32b states that one should learn the halachot of Shavuot on Shavuot. Mishna Brurah 429:1 quotes this as halacha.</ref> | ||
# The notion that one should learn in preparation for the holiday doesn't mean that a talmid chacham should stop his regular learning in order to learn halacha of the upcoming holiday, rather it means that a question about hilchot shavuot is given precedence to questions not about shavuot.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah ([[Pesach]] pg 1) explains that the halacha in Gemara Pesachim 6a is relevant in regards to the laws established in Tosefta Sanhedrin 7:5 which state that a person should ask relevant questions and a relevant question has precedence over the irrelevant questions.</ref> Some, however, dispute this point.<ref>See Beiur Halacha 429 s.v. Shoalin</ref> | # The notion that one should learn in preparation for the holiday doesn't mean that a talmid chacham should stop his regular learning in order to learn halacha of the upcoming holiday, rather it means that a question about hilchot shavuot is given precedence to questions not about shavuot.<ref>Chazon Ovadyah ([[Pesach]] pg 1) explains that the halacha in Gemara Pesachim 6a is relevant in regards to the laws established in Tosefta Sanhedrin 7:5 which state that a person should ask relevant questions and a relevant question has precedence over the irrelevant questions.</ref> Some, however, dispute this point.<ref>See Beiur Halacha 429 s.v. Shoalin</ref> | ||
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# Some have the custom to decorate the shul for Shavuot with flowers, trees or nice smelling fruits. <Ref>Rama O"C 494:3 explains that the custom commemorates the joy of Matan Torah. The custom is an ancient one dating back to the time of the medrash Targum Sheini on Megillat Esther 3:8. Magen Avraham there explains that trees are used for decoration so that we should pray for a good fruit harvest because Shavuot is the day we are judged regarding the fruits of the year. Yechave Da'at 4:33 adds a reason for decorating with flowers.</ref> | # Some have the custom to decorate the shul for Shavuot with flowers, trees or nice smelling fruits. <Ref>Rama O"C 494:3 explains that the custom commemorates the joy of Matan Torah. The custom is an ancient one dating back to the time of the medrash Targum Sheini on Megillat Esther 3:8. Magen Avraham there explains that trees are used for decoration so that we should pray for a good fruit harvest because Shavuot is the day we are judged regarding the fruits of the year. Yechave Da'at 4:33 adds a reason for decorating with flowers.</ref> | ||
# Some communities abstain from this custom because it may be considered a chok akum. <Ref>This is the opinion of the Gr"a as quoted by the Chayei Adam 131:13, Ma'aseh Rav, Aruch Hashulchan O"C 494 and others. Yechave Da'at 4:33 and in Yabia Omer YD 3:24 explains that the custom is nevertheless justified based on the Shu"t Maharik S' 88 who explains that there is no concern of "''Bechukoteihem lo telechu''" by a custom that has a good reason for its practice.</ref> | # Some communities abstain from this custom because it may be considered a chok akum. <Ref>This is the opinion of the Gr"a as quoted by the Chayei Adam 131:13, Ma'aseh Rav, Aruch Hashulchan O"C 494 and others. Yechave Da'at 4:33 and in Yabia Omer YD 3:24 explains that the custom is nevertheless justified based on the Shu"t Maharik S' 88 who explains that there is no concern of "''Bechukoteihem lo telechu''" by a custom that has a good reason for its practice.</ref> | ||
==Reading Megillat Rut on Shavuot== | |||
# The Ashkenazic minhag is to read Megillat Rut on Shavuos.<ref>Birkei Yosef 694:11 quotes the midrash which says that the reason we read Rut on Shavuot is because it emphasizes the sacrifice Rut made to accept the Torah and because it describes an awesome act of kindness, which is one of the core themes of Torah.</ref> | |||
==Eating Dairy on Shavuot== | ==Eating Dairy on Shavuot== | ||
