kosher bookworm: alan jay gerber

Latest literature relating to the Shavuot festival

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This week’s essay will be the first to deal with some of the latest thoughts and literature regarding the observance of Shavuot.

Ohr Ha Tzafon, volume four, Nissan 5776, published by Beis Hakenesses of North Woodmere, has an essay by Elli Ganchrow titled, “Staying Up Late On Shavuot Night,” that includes an eloquent series of observations on the rituals and themes of the festival. I cite the following for your edification:

“A cursory review of the Shulchan Aruch reveals an interesting fact with respect to Shavuot. Unlike its treatment of every major holiday, the Shulchan Aruch does not contain a separate section dedicated to this holiday. One possible reason for this omission by the Shulchan Aruch is that Shavuot, as opposed to all the other holidays, does not contain any stand-alone ritual commandments, and does not even have many minhagin. In fact, there are only three well-known, nearly universal minhagim which are observed on Shavuot:

“1. The eating of dairy products

“2. The placement of flowers in the shul

“3. To stay up all night learning Torah on the first night

“While the first two minhagim are brought down by the Ramah, the third custom, while certainly universally followed in contemporary times, is not mentioned at all in the Shulchan Aruch.”

This learned essay goes on to cite 19 valued sources to demonstrate the uniqueness of this holiday. The author, Mr. Ganchrow, concludes his teachings with the following observation:

“All Jews … should recognize that Shavuot, which is the time of the anniversary of the giving of the Torah, is a fantastic opportunity to rededicate ourselves to a life that is focused on the concept of Torah, mitzvoth, and good deeds.”

Another new work recently published by Koren Publishers together with the Rabbinical Council of America is the Koren Shavuot Machzor. Within this volume is an eloquent introductory commentary by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on “Ruth: the Book of Loyalty and Love.”

Rabbi Sacks makes the following observation:

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