Why did not G-d Himself give the Torah to the people?
Why didn't G-d Himself give the Torah to Israel at mount Sinai? Why was the intermediation of Moses needed? What kind of intermediation was this?
View ArticleWho is the ר'ישראלבןישראל that the Abudarham refers to?
The Abudarham is often cited as an early source that transmits the custom to study Abhoth between Pesah and Shabhu'oth. He cites one רישראלבןישראל (R. Israel b. Israel) for furnishing the following...
View ArticleSecond day of Shavuot in Diaspora [duplicate]
I was wondering, before Rambam Kiddush HaChodesh, 3:12, if any Geonim or early Rishonim discussed why we observe 2nd day of Shavuout, given that messengers would have gotten there in time.
View ArticleSecond day of Shavuos
The main reason for observing a second day of Yom Tov is that, in the times of the Beis Hamikdash, months were declared based on the sighting of the new moon. However, there were certain locations that...
View ArticleWhy isn't Shavuot celebrated on a Sunday as the Torah says?
Why is Shavuot celebrated today [Wednesday] instead of on the "day after the sabbath" as the Torah says (Lev. 23:15,16)? Passover is a movable holiday, but according to Leviticus 23, both the Feast of...
View ArticleIs Shavuot biblical without the omer?
As the Torah makes Shavuot dependent upon counting 50 days from an event (e.g., Vayikrah& Devarim) which is no longer performed does that ipso facto mean that Shavuot nowadays isn't biblical?Does...
View ArticleWhere do we find the story of Hashem giving the Torah only after demanding...
I am looking for this midrash. First, Israel offers Hashem their material valuables (iron tools, jewelry, precious metals, etc.). Hashem rejects all. Only when they offer their children do they receive...
View ArticleWording Shavuot vs. Sukkot
Concering Shavuot the Torah teaches (Deuteronomy 16:11):"And you shall rejoice before the Lord, your God, -you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and the...
View ArticleWhy is Shavuot referred to as Atzeres - עצרת
In the Torah the Yom tov of Shavuot is called Chag Hashavuot - חגהשבועותSee shoot 34:22וְחַ֤גשָׁבֻעֹת֙תַּעֲשֶׂ֣הלְךָ֔בִּכּוּרֵ֖יקְצִ֣ירחִטִּ֑יםוְחַג֙הָֽאָסִ֔יףתְּקוּפַ֖תהַשָּׁנָֽה׃You shall observe the...
View ArticleWhat is Yom Hameyuchas?
In my Jewish calendar, the second of Sivan appears as יוםהמיוחס. Having found nothing satisfactory online, does anyone know anything about it? Are there any minhagim for Yom Hameyuchas?Any information...
View ArticleIs one commanded to hear the Ten Commandments on Shavuot?
Is it really an obligatory mitzvah to hear a reading of the Ten Commandments on the first day of Shavuot (as distinct from the general commandment to hear Torah)? What is the source, if any, for this...
View ArticleThe story of the Minim and Boethusians; trying to fix the festival of Shavuot...
I've found different sources like the Mishnah, Babylonian Talmud (tractate Rosh HaShanah), Jerusalem Talmud, Tosefta etc., talking about the Minim and the Boethusians who wanted to fix the festival of...
View ArticleWhat is the source that the "skies open up" on Shavuat night?
I remember having been taught that the "skies open up" on Shavuot and that there is a tradition to go outside on the night of Shavuot and do personal tefilot at night.I can attest to certain to tefilot...
View ArticleWhat is the source that the "skies open up" on Shavuot night?
I remember having been taught that the "skies open up" on Shavuot and that there is a tradition to go outside on the night of Shavuot and do personal tefilot at night.I can attest to certain to tefilot...
View ArticleWhere in Tanach is Shavuot associated with Matan Torah?
There is nowhere I can see in the tanach that associates Shavuot with Matan Torah.However, we say in the prayers on Shavuot: "Z'man Matan Toratainu" (the time of the giving of the Torah).Whenever...
View ArticleWas the Shtei Halechem offering on Shavuot 5785 (June 2, 2025) halachically...
On Shavuot 5785 a kohen brought שתיהלחם loaves (Vayikra 23:17) to the place of the מזבח in the Temple Courtyard and waved the bread. The מזבח is not standing. Apparently, this was the first time the...
View ArticleMeaning of erotic component in our relationship with God
The Giving of the Torah is poetically described in Jewish tradition as a wedding between Israel, as the bride, and God, as the groom. [E.g., Numbers Rabbah 12:8, Song of Songs Rabbah 4:10] There was a...
View ArticleWhy do the “Shtei HaLechem” not play a prominent part in the davenning for...
The “Shtei HaLechem” are brought on Shavuos accompanied by 1 bull, 2 ram, 9 sheep and a goat. In the prayers for Shavuos (excluding piyyutim) the only mention of any of that is in the verse introducing...
View Article