This is a very special time on the Jewish calendar, as we count the remaining days between Passover and the holiday of Shavuot.
It is said that the birds guided the Jewish people and kept watch over their crossing during the splitting of the Red Sea, following the first Passover.
For seven weeks after the Exodus, the people travelled through the desert.
When they encamped at Har Sinai, G-d summoned Moshe and told him to assemble the people, to whom He declared the 10 Commandments, “heralded by an awesome display of thunder, lightning, shofar blasts and fire . . . “ (Artscroll Chumash).
This time, “ . . . not a bird chirped, not a fowl flew, not an ox lowed . . . The sea did not roll and no creature made a sound. All of the vast universe was silent and mute.” (Shemot Rabba 29).
Jews worldwide will celebrate Matan Torah and Shavuot next week by reading the Biblical Book of Ruth, engaging in all-night learning, reciting special prayers, and eating traditional foods.
What a timely and deep message of this most joyous of holidays! Wonderful imagery! Thanks!
My favorite holiday for many reasons!
What a beautiful post. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your visit and for your kind comment, Laura!
I enjoyed your post. It brings back some memories for me. I was married to a Jewish guy and celebrated along with his family. I never converted and that is the reason we are no longer together. My mistake thinking it should not have mattered.
Thanks so much for your visit, Donna. I remember you telling me about your past connections with Jewish traditions 🙂