Shavuot 2026 (a two-day holiday, celebrated from sunset on May 21, 2026 until nightfall on May 23, 2026) coincides with the date that G‑d gave the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai more than 3,000 years ago. It comes after 49 days of eager counting, as we prepared ourselves for this special day.

It is celebrated by lighting candles, staying up all night to learn Torah, hearing the reading of the Ten Commandments in synagogue, feasting on dairy foods and more.

What Shavuot Commemorates

The word Shavuot (or Shavuos) means “weeks.” It celebrates the completion of the seven-week Omer counting period between Passover and Shavuot.

The Torah was given by G‑d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai on Shavuot more than 3,300 years ago. Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of G‑d’s gift, and G‑d “re-gives” the Torah.

The giving of the Torah was a far-reaching spiritual event—one that touched the essence of the Jewish soul for all times. Our sages have compared it to a wedding between G‑d and the Jewish people. Shavuot also means “oaths,” for on this day G‑d swore eternal devotion to us, and we in turn pledged everlasting loyalty to Him. Learn more about the giving of the Torah and what it means to us today.

In ancient times, two wheat loaves would be offered in the Holy Temple on Shavuot. It was also at this time that people would begin to bring bikkurim, their first and choicest fruits, to thank G‑d for Israel’s bounty. 

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How Is Shavuot Celebrated?

• Women and girls light holiday candles to usher in the holiday, on both the first and second evenings of the holidays. 
• It is customary to stay up all night learning Torah on the first night of Shavuot.
• All men, women and children should go to the synagogue to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments on the first day of Shavuot.
• As on other holidays, special meals are eaten, and no “work” may be performed. 
• It is customary to eat dairy foods on Shavuot. Menus range from traditional cheese blintzes to quiches, casseroles and more.
• On the second day of Shavuot, the Yizkor memorial service is recited. 
• Some communities read the Book of Ruth during morning services, as King David—whose passing occurred on this day—was a descendant of Ruth the Moabite. 
•  have the custom to decorate their homes (and synagogues) with flowers and sweet-smelling plants in advance of Shavuot. 

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Additional Names for Shavuot

• Shavuot is also the celebration of the wheat harvest and the ripening of the first fruits, which is the reason for the other two biblical names for this holiday: 1) "Yom Habikurim" or the "Day of the First Fruits." 2) "Chag HaKatzir," the "Harvest Festival."
• In the Talmud, Shavuotis also called "Atzeret," which means "The Stoppage," a reference to the prohibition against work on this holiday.
• In the holiday prayer service, we refer to it as “Zeman Matan Torahteinu,” the "Time of the Giving of Our Torah."

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