Rabbi Howard Morrison

For most Jews, Shavuot is associated with the season of the giving of our Torah. This theme pervades the liturgy of Shavuot. The Torah reading on the first day, which is the only day celebrated in Israel, focuses on the events leading up to and including the revealing of the Ten Commandments, as found in the book of Exodus chapters 19-20.

Another main theme of Shavuot is its agricultural dimension, the Festival of the first fruits. The Maftir passage on both days and the Torah reading for the second day of the Festival emphasize this side of Shavuot. Except for farmers and Kibbutzniks in Israel, this aspect is not as dear to many Jews as is the giving of the Torah.

This past Tuesday night, twenty adults from our shul community met with me to discuss ideas for a Beth Emeth trip to Israel in 2023. While all kinds of ideas are just beginning to ferment, everyone wants to discover and experience the land and the evolution of Jewish life in Israel. As I listened to the comments of the participants, all I could think of was Beth Emeth entering the land of Israel as described in Deuteronomy chapter 26, which details the ritual of the first fruits coupled with a recitation and celebration of Jewish history from the inception of our people to entering the land itself.

More details will follow in the weeks and months to come. We hope to have an itinerary with dates, sites, and fees in time for the High Holy Days.

In advance, I wish everyone a meaningful and joyous Shavuot this weekend.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison