If you err on the secular side of life, you may be wondering why you’re local JCC is closed early tonight for Shavuot. We didn’t know a durn thing about this forgotten redheaded stepchild of Jewish holy days, prompting us to ask the rabbi’s daughter for a few details. She didn’t know squat, either, so we didn’t have to hang our heads in shame (isn’t the inbred guilt enough already, people?)
It turns out it’s two holidays in one: The first harvest of the season in Israel and the anniversary of the Israelites receiving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. Celebrate by eating dairy foods to symbolize the land of “milk and honey” and staying up all night studying Torah, Talmud and other religious teachings. According to tradition, observers pull the all-nighter because the Israelites actually overslept on the morning of G-d’s visit.
Maybe the guilt is for our good, since it seems some of us have been lazy and ignorant since the dawn of time. Now go hang your head and eat some yogurt.