Agriculturally, Shavuot commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple and is known as Hag ha-Bikkurim or, the Festival of the First Fruits. Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and is also known as Hag Matan Torateinu or the Festival of the Giving of Our Torah.
Shavuot is sometimes known as Pentecost, because if falls on the 50th day following Passover. The counting reminds us of the important connection between Passover and Shavuot (the counting is a very big thing). Passover freed us physically from bondage, but the giving of the Torah on Shavuot was a step toward redeeming us spiritually from our bondage to the idolatry and immorality.
Messianic Jews believe that God chose this day to give not only His Torah, but 1479 years later, His Holy Spirit to live in us. And this makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Nobody KEPT the Torah - that was, and is, impossible! But we can keep the SPIRIT of the Torah. How? Only when it's written on our hearts (see Jeremiah 31:33). And it can only be written on our hearts through the ministry of His Holy Spirit. That's why God chose the same day that He gave the Torah to give His Spirit.
These are the roots of our faith.
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for some reason this did not publish. i will try again...
From electric football to Shavuot! Impressive!
Jennifer--This past year we taught our high school and junior high students (I've been a youth director at a church for three years) once every six weeks about the feasts that are mentioned in the Old Testament. Our last one was on Shavuot and I learned much of what you shared in this post from preparing for it. There's such a richness, isn't there, in understanding the history and the culture that is our heritage (whether we're Jewish or not). Thanks for reminding me! Bless you!
thanks for your comment bj. i am really, really into your blog. you have posed, answered, elaborated and with a knowledgeable yet child-like innocence completely entertained me! you are VERY deep to me. LOL! with that said... after watching the movie "the passion" i have become obsessed with our jewish roots. i kind of got into a heated discussion with an agnostic woman at work about how, and i quote her, "that movie was SO AGAINST THE JEWS!" i NEVER got the whole antisematic thing regarding this movie. just flat out did not get it! wasn't jesus a jew? didn't the romans crucify him? who said the jews crucified him? it was the romans! well, pretty much. anyway, why and how is it antisematic? i too, question everything. it is annoying to my friends and family and can be perceived as doubt or obnoxious behavior but MY FATHER loves having long conversations with me and He answers EVERY question of mine. He entices me to ask more.
with that said, i was HUNGRY for information regarding our jewish history. i searched for it and i have participated in jewish dance workshops and feasts and worship ceremonies with a huge christian church that celebrates our jewish heritage. it brought me closer to God. i think it should be mandatory for new and old christians to study the roots of our faith. study it just as we study the bible. it has given me a new understanding of the bible, too! love it, love it, love it!
it is rich! i imagine Jesus as a jew and going through the life, ceremonies and rituals. i will post more on it later, so stay tuned!
Jennifer, thanks for your comment, man your WAY too nice. Hey I'm so glad that you're joining in VBS again this year, even if you're just stageload with the rest of us! What would we do without CD Coil! Have a GREAT day! OH, I have a picture of McKenna from Wacky Wednesday. She definitely got a little carried away with the shaving cream fight! I think I have your email address somewhere, so I'll send it to you.
This is GREAT STUFF. That is Hebrew for deep. Thanks. You blessed my soul.
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