by Maggid Zelig Golden

29 Iyyar 5775 | May 18, 2015

Chag Sameach Shavuot – Happy Festival of Weeks!

Today we are nearing the finale of counting the omer – the potent cycle of seven weeks through which we count seven permutations of the seven sefirot (emanations of divine reality), from Passover liberation to Shavuot revelation.

Shavuot, also named by the rabbis Zman Matan Torateinu, “the time of gifting our Torah,” recalls Moses’ dramatic receiving of Torah on the mountain. On Shavuot, just a few nights away, we receive revelation once again by gathering, studying, and meditating on words of Torah, words of wisdom.

The original roots of Shavuot, however, are not found in the story of Moses on the mountain. Originally called Chag HaBikkurim, Festival of First Fruits, this holiday originally focused on the offering of agricultural first fruits in gratitude of the season’s abundance.

This holiday was first described in Exodus: “The Israelites shall hold a festival for the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits (Chag HaBikkurim) of your work, of what you sow in the field.” (Exodus 23:16). When we were an agricultural people in the land of Israel, this festival honored our divine relationship between earth, God, and our hands, which we find in the very bread we eat: “You shall bring from your settlements two loaves of bread as an offering baked after leavening, as first fruits to Hashem.” (Leviticus 23:17).

After the destruction of the Second Temple in the 1st century, we Hebrews began a transition from being a land-based people to a people dispersed among nations, and over time the rabbis transformed this festival from its land-based roots to a commemoration of the mythical Revelation by studying Torah all night.

Saturday night, we will join the greater community to study all night at the JCC of the East Bay – join us at the JCC around our own sacred fire for a singing circle from 8–9 pm and to learn about “Sacred Fire, Portal to the Divine” at 11:20 pm, among many other great offerings.

Even as we honor the studied rabbinic tradition, I believe it is critical that we also recall the earth-based roots of Shavuot — namely honoring the Bikkurim, the “first fruits.” If you farm, garden, or are connected to agriculture in some way, Shavuot is the perfect time to gather some of your first fruits from the land, (produce, flowers, or grain) set them aside on a table of honor, and give thanks for the miracle of life and our Earth that sustains us as we light the holiday candles tonight. We will have a mizbeach, or holy table, at our JCC fire, so please join us and share your first fruits on that table.

Sharing our stories is another potent way to share your “fruits.” During the evening at the JCC, we will have open times for songs and stories during the magic hours late in the night. Consider bringing a story of your own to the fire — there is no more powerful way to cultivate village!

At this special time of year, when we honor the journey from liberation to revelation and celebrate our first fruits, may we all be thankful for beauty and bounty that nourishes and sustains us.

Chag Sameach!