SHAVUOT

Shavuot Festival of Weddings, Flowers, Sweet Treats

By Flora Rosefsky

From comparing Shavuot to a Jewish wedding to organizing Torah study sessions from midnight till dawn. And from planning dairy menus to reading about the first convert to Judaism, Shavuot is a multifaceted holiday with much depth and opportunity for creativity.

The AJT elicited insights on the holiday from three rabbis spread among Atlanta’s geographic and denominational spectrum.

One of the core rituals of Shavuot is to continue learning Torah and other Jewish texts. For that reason, Shavuot secures its place as one of the most important Torah pilgrimage festivals celebrated on the Jewish calendar.

Rabbi Larry Sernovitz of Temple Kol Emeth said we are to remember that “we too received the Torah at Sinai and every year we renew that covenant between G-d and the Jewish people.”

Sernovitz compared dairy foods to Torah, being as “sweet as honey on the tongue.” Think cheesecake and blintzes.

The Jewish people are unique in the world in how the revelation or receiving the Torah came to them as one large community, not only as individuals, said Rabbi Joshua Hearshen of Congregation Or VeShalom.

The AJT also learned from Rabbi Binyomin Friedman of Congregation Ariel that although there is no biblical instruction to celebrate the anniversary of the giving of Torah at Mount Sinai, a number of customs arose that gave Shavuot the identity recognized today.

Just as the barren Mount Sinai burst forth with vegetation as the Torah was given, it is customary to decorate synagogues with flowers. One traditional interpretation is that “it took a while for the Jews to integrate the newly introduced laws of kosher,” Friedman said. “Therefore, they didn’t eat meat in the days following the giving of the Torah. We commemorate that decision by eating dairy dishes,” he said.

He believes the most outstanding custom is to spend the entire night engrossed in Torah study in anticipation of the anniversary of receiving the Torah on the morning of Shavuot, including the Sephardic tradition of reading a ketubah, Jewish wedding contract, during the holiday’s synagogue service.

Marriage Contract

Hearshen explained how the Sephardic community, having so many connections to the mystic world, took one of the many paradigms for the relationship between the Jewish people and G-d, wife and husband respectively, and expressed a marriage motif during Shavuot.

Symbolically, the Torah was the wedding gift from G-d to the Jewish people and also the terms of the marriage, the ketubah. It is Sephardic tradition to create special ketubot to be read on Shavuot. The most famous ketubah is by Israel Najara of Tzfat (1550 – 1625). “While that text tries to mirror the ketubot from our marriages, it waxes poetic a great deal more and provides more mysticism than our mundane marriage contracts,” Hearshen said.

It is dated the sixth of Sivan 2448, which is the date of Shavuot. At OVS, the ketubah text is read on Shavuot when the ark is opened, while preparing to take out the Torah scrolls, he said.

In modern times, weddings are generally avoided between Passover, when the counting of the Omer begins and Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day, Hearshen said. The Omer is the period between Passover and Shavuot.

“This leaves us with just over two weeks of acceptable days for weddings. Those days are close to Shavuot and so we tend to see, in a nonCOVID world, a large amount of weddings from Lag B’Omer until the day before Shavuot,” he said.

Rabbi Larry Sernovitz is the senior rabbi at Temple Kol Emeth in Marietta.

Rabbi Joshua Hearshen leads Congregation Or VeShalom in Brookhaven. Rabbi Binyomin Friedman is senior rabbi of Congregation Ariel in Dunwoody. Rabbi Sernovitz studying Torah with his son Sam, preparing for his upcoming bar mitzvah.

A Name or Two

Friedman said that the day G-d presented the Israelites with Torah at Mount Sinai, after they left Egypt, coincides exactly with the Shavuot Torah Study with TKE congregants. festival of Shavuot. Besides its historical connection to the Prior to COVID, Torah study often took place in the homes of Kol Emeth members. Exodus, the holiday is clearly linked to the agricultural rhythms of Israel, where crops are planted in the early winter and are ready for harvest in the spring around Passover time, he said. Shavuot came to be called the Festival of Weeks in its connection to the counting of the Omer. The Torah states that on the second day of Passover, “we are to go out into the field and harvest omers (omer is a measure) worth of barley, usually being the first winter planted crop to ripen, and bring it to the temple, acknowledging G-d for His beneficence in granting us this new crop. Only after bringing this Omer of barley may we eat of the new crop,” Friedman said. The Torah continues to tell the Jewish people to count 49 days. On the 50th, they are to bring to the temple two loaves of bread that they have baked from the now-harvested wheat crop. The day is to be celebrated as the Festival of Shavuot or Weeks because it comes at the end

Rabbi Larry Sernovitz holds one of Kol Emeth’s Torah scrolls.

“Shavuot,” by Flora Rosefsky, is a paper cutout collage from her Ritual Series.

of the seven weeks of counting. In addition, Shavuot has two other names and identities: Chag Habikurim, Festival of First Fruits, recognizing the biblical commandments of the first fruit offering of barley. And Zman Matan Torateinu, the Time of the Giving of our Torah, which has become the primary focus of Shavuot because of living without a Temple in Jerusalem, Friedman said.

First Convert to Judaism

Besides reading from Torah, Sernovitz said another Shavuot custom is to read the Ten Commandments but also from the Book of Ruth, where first fruits, such as the springtime harvesting of barley and wheat, are mentioned.

“Another rationale for Ruth being read is its connection to Torah and faith,” he said.

After Ruth’s husband dies, she becomes very close to her mother-in-law Naomi. Ruth tells Naomi, “Your people shall be my people, and your G-d my G-d.” (Ruth 1:16). By accepting Judaism, Torah and G-d into her life, Ruth becomes the first convert to Judaism.

Sernovitz noted that Ruth and her new husband Boaz become the great-grandparents to King David. As tradition teaches, the Messiah is believed to descend from the line of David.

“Greatness can not only come from those born into the Jewish people, but also for those who choose Judaism,” Sernovitz said. “This is why it is so important to embrace those who choose Judaism as well as those who marry a Jewish partner and then reside among the Jewish people.”

He also shared how the Jewish mystics, the Kabbalists, would teach that a special time occurs in the middle of the night on Shavuot. “We study until the early morning as a tikkun, an apology, for the Israelites sleeping late on the morning of the revelation at Mt. Sinai.” According to the Kabbalistic story, the skies will open up for a brief moment where G-d favorably answers any prayer, Sernovitz said. “Whether or not this is true, even in moments of darkness, Judaism provides the light and just enough strength to rise above whatever comes our way. Stay up a little later; look up into the sky, and cast up your hopes, dreams and prayers. Maybe, just maybe, your prayers will be answered.”

Burning the Midnight Oil

Congregation Ariel will have study groups and classes, especially in the days before Shavuot. Ariel is hosting 24 hours of online Torah May 12-13 from noon until midnight in a communitywide, nonstop virtual learning experience called Torah Atlanta. On Shavuot May 17, starting at 12:30 a.m., there will be studying in groups until dawn. No knowledge of Hebrew is necessary. At dawn, a holiday service and reading of the Ten Commandments will conclude the event.

The Atlanta Rabbinic Association also is holding a communitywide Evening of Learning, also known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot, May 16.

To learn what Jewish Atlanta has planned for Shavuot, visit the Atlanta Jewish Connector, www.atlantajewishconnector.com. And be sure to have a slice of cheesecake or some cheese and fruit handy if you get hungry attending an all-night study session! Here’s a recipe to try for such a purpose.

Israeli Cheesecake

To make an authentic Israeli cheesecake, I chose the soft and creamy givina levana (white cheese)recipe of Israeli American celebrity chef Jamie Geller. With consistency like a thick yogurt, it mixed easily with the other ingredients.

Crust

2 cups graham cracker crumbs or cookie crumbs ½ cup melted butter 5 tablespoons sugar

Custard

1½ pounds givina levana 1 cup sugar 1 cup sour cream ½ cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4 whole eggs Pinch of kosher or sea salt Zest of one lemon

Preheat oven to 350F.

Preparing the crust:

Mix crumbs, butter and sugar together. Reserve half the mixture for topping cheesecake. Press remaining crumbs into the bottom of the springform pan. Chill the crust while making the filling.

Preparing the custard:

Either by hand or in a mixer at low speed – combine cheese, sugar, sour cream, heavy cream, lemon zest and juice, vanilla, eggs and salt. Try not to whisk any air into the custard.

Pour into chilled crust. Place cheesecake into oven. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until the center of cake is just a bit jiggly. Sprinkle reserved crumbs on

top of cake and bake for additional 15 minutes.

Turn off the oven and crack open the door. Allow cheesecake to cool in hot oven for 30 minutes.

Put in refrigerator for several hours or overnight before serving. I added fresh raspberries around the cake’s top. ì

Photo by Flora Rosefsky // An Israeli style cheesecake uses givina levana, a special white cheese imported from Israel.

Source: Jamie Geller, jamiegeller.com.

The Perfect Place to Buy Diamonds to Buy Diamonds

Appraisals & Repair Services Available We Buy Diamonds & Gold

Tennis Bracelet 2cttw $1400 Stud Earrings 1cttw $989 2cwtt $3890

Mon-Fri 10-5 | Sat 11-4 1820 Independence Square # C, Dunwoody, GA 30338 (770) 396-3456 | www.hajewelry.com

Mention This Ad to Get $50 Off Purchases Of $500 or More

Max Haviv

Graduate Gemologist

SHAVUOT

Hebron Rabbi Spoke on Shavuot in 1773 Newport

Here is a piece I first wrote 40 years ago (unbelievable). The story once known, now forgotten.

Rabbi David The date Geffen was May 28, 1773, the first day of Shavuot 5533. The place: the Touro Synagogue in Newport, R.I. The rabbi who delivered the sermon was a visitor from Hebron, Palestine. The synagogue was filled for the holiday, not only with the members of Congregation Yeshuat Israel (initially called from New York. tury Christian historian Hannah Adams, Stiles and others, Carigal wrote it out in Nefutse Yisrael), but also the governor, He arrived in the New England sea- in her book “The History of the Jews,” in- Spanish and then it was translated into a number of judges and the well-known port of Newport just before Purim in 1773. dicated that Stiles met with Carigal “for English.” minister Reverend Ezra Stiles. One of the first to hear of Carigal’s ar- the purpose of acquiring pronunciation After five months in Newport, Carigal

He recorded in his diary that [Rabbi rival was Rev. Stiles, a Christian Hebraist of Hebrew, of ascertaining the meaning sailed to Surinam and then to the isle of Haim Isaac] Carigal looked quite impos- of note. As a student of the holy tongue, of ambiguous in the original of the Old Barbados, where he became the congregaing. “He was dressed in his furr(sic) cap, Stiles was always anxious to meet rab- Testament, of conversing on past events tional rabbi in 1774. During the next three scarlet robe, green silk damask vest, and binic visitors to the city and improve his relating to this extraordinary, as recorded years, he corresponded with Stiles in Hea chintz undervest – girt with a sash or knowledge of the Hebrew language. A few in sacred history, and of tracing its future brew. One particular letter sent by Stiles Turkish girdle, besides the alb (talit) with years later when Stiles became president destiny by the light of prophecy.” Carigal in 1775 contained a moving description of tzizith.” of Yale College, he also taught Hebrew at was in Adam’s words, Stiles’ "Chocham the Battle of Bunker Hill, and concluded

Carigal’s sermon, timed by Stiles' the school. Rabbi.” with the famous dictum, “The day is with watch, was 47 minutes long, and it was He insisted that his students learn For the holiday of Shavuot, it was de- the Lord.” given in Spanish, most probably Ladino the Psalms in Hebrew. He reminded them cided by Aaron Lopez, leader of the town’s After settling into his post, Carigal with Hebrew interspersed. “His oratory, “when you arrive in heaven, you will hear Jews, that Carigal should give the sermon. felt that he was financially secure enough elocution and gestures were fine and ori- the Psalms in the original language. As Christian notables, including the Gov. Jo- to bring his wife and children from Heental,” Stiles wrote. “It was very animat- your teacher, I would be most embar- seph Wanton, judges [Peter] Oliver and bron to Barbados. Sadly, he had not seen ed.” Such a sermon would normally have rassed if you could not understand what [Robert] Auchmuty, and Stiles were invit- them for over nine years. But before he gone the way of many sermons – spoken the angels were singing.” ed so that they could see Newport Jewry could realize this goal, he contracted a disnever recorded. But the Jews of Newport When in March 1773, Stiles heard putting its best foot forward. ease and died in 1777. He was buried in the were so fascinated by it they wanted to see that “a Hebrew rabbi from the holy land” Rabbi Carigal’s Shavuot sermon dealt cemetery of Bridgetown, Barbados. it translated and printed in English. One had arrived, the minister made sure to be with themes such as sin, study and the Stiles, who had become the president member of the congregation, Abraham in the synagogue for Purim services so restoration of the holy land. Since it was of Yale College, wrote Lopez of Newport in Lopez, prepared the translation and later he could meet the guest. In his definitive Shavuot, the time of the giving of the To- 1781 that “the affectionate respect I bear in 1773 it was printed by the Newport Mer- work on the Touro Synagogue, professor rah, there was a marked emphasis in the to the memory of Rabbi Carigal has made cury and sold throughout the city, thus Melvin Urofsky quoted Stiles’ description sermon on the need for study at home me wish that his picture might be deposbecoming the first sermon to be preached of Carigal at the Purim service. “There I and in the synagogue. He strongly empha- ited in the library of this college.” Lopez and published in the U.S. saw Rabbi Carigal I judge aet. about 45, sized that the observance of the law was agreed.

Carigal was born in Hebron in 1729 lately from the city of Hebron, the Cave destined to restore the Jewish people to More than 250 years have passed, and was ordained in 1749. In 1754, already of Macpelah in the Holy Land. He was its homeland: “Let us have a firm belief in but Rabbi Carigal of Hebron's impact on a married man, he initiated his career as a one of the two persons that stood by the the innumerable prophecies that predict colonial America and on Jewish history “messenger of God” from the holy land. He Chasan(Chazan) at the Taubau or Reading our restoration.” God would bring about remains. His sermon can be read, since it began his first 11-year venture by traveling Desk while the Book of Esther was read. the return, he stressed, when His people was reprinted in 1976 to mark the bicenthroughout the Middle East and the Ca- He was dressed in a red garment with the obeyed His moral law in their commer- tennial of the United States of America. ribbean islands. At each stop, he collected usual Phylacteries and habiliments, the cial dealings, in study and in loving their You can visit the Touro synagogue in Newmoney for the schools of Hebron and for white silk Surplice; he wore a high brown neighbors as themselves. Carigal con- port, preserved in a most pristine fashion. the city’s poor. furr Cap, had a long Beard.” Stiles noted in cluded with the belief that in time, all the Carigal’s presence in Newport and his ser-

Arriving in Curacao in 1762, he was this fashion: “He has the appearance of an world will accept the ethical monotheism mon provided an important spiritual link asked to remain and to serve as rabbi for ingenious & sensible man.” of Judaism and the “one voice:” In that day for this tiny American Jewish community. ì the community. In that capacity, he insti- The rabbi struck his Christian ob- the Messiah might appear “daily, probably tuted a program of religious education server as an “ingenious and sensible man, within the next forty years at least.” and even established a “talmudic acade- learned and truly modest far more so According to Urofsky, “Carigal used my.” Carigal also checked the imported ko- than I ever saw a Jew.” The two became no notes, but spoke extemporaneously. As sher meat, invoiced as “smoke sassangers” fast friends and met on many occasions he later told Stiles, he worked it out in his and “peackle Jewish beeff” when it arrived for a variety of discussions. The 19th cen- head and ‘sealed’ it there. At the urging of

The Touro Synagogue, built in 1963, is America’s oldest synagogue. Rabbi Haim Isaac Carigal of Hebron and Yale University President Ezra Stiles.

David Geffen is a former Atlantan and Conservative rabbi living in Jerusalem.