Shavuot 2012

Israel vs. Diaspora: Shavuot 2012 Dates

Shavuot is observed on different days depending on where you are. In the Land of Israel, biblical festivals last one day; in the Diaspora, communities keep a second day (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), a custom dating back to calendar-confirmation times:

All times and dates elsewhere on this page follow the Diaspora schedule. Travelers should plan according to their location on the festival eve.

Halachic Framework

As a biblical festival (Yom Tov), Shavuot carries obligations similar to Shabbat, with a few permit exceptions:

• Work restrictions: Creative labor (melachah) is prohibited. Cooking and carrying for food preparation are permitted (ochel nefesh), so meals may be prepared on the festival itself.
• Prayer additions: Hallel is recited during the morning service, the Musaf sacrifice is memorialized in the Additional Prayer, and Yaaleh Veyavo is inserted into the Amidah and Grace After Meals.
• Yizkor: The memorial prayer for departed parents is recited in Diaspora communities (and in many Israeli ones) on the final day.
• Kiddush & candles: Festival candles are lit before sunset on the eve, and Kiddush is recited both nights.

Customs & Observances

• Tikkun Leil Shavuot — staying up all night studying Torah
• Eating dairy foods: cheese blintzes, cheesecake, kugel
• Reading the Book of Ruth
• Decorating the synagogue with greenery and flowers

Greetings & Blessings for Shavuot

Traditional greetings used before, during, and after Shavuot:

• Chag Shavuot Sameach — "A joyous Shavuot holiday"
• Chag Sameach — "A joyous holiday"
• Moadim L'Simchah — "Times of joy"

בעברית:

• חג שבועות שמח
• חג שמח
• מועדים לשמחה

About Shavuot

Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, is celebrated six weeks after Passover on the 6th of Sivan. It commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel.

Also known as: Shavuos, Festival of Weeks, Pentecost

Jewish holidays begin at sunset on the evening before the date shown and conclude at nightfall (when three medium stars are visible) on the final day. In the Diaspora, major Torah festivals are observed for two days (Yom Tov Sheni shel Galuyot), while in Israel they are observed for one day.

Candle Lighting Times for Shavuot 2012

Festival candles are lit on the evening of Friday, May 25, 2012 before sunset. Times for six major communities:

Candle-lighting is calculated as sunset minus each community's customary offset (Jerusalem 40 minutes; most other communities 18). If a festival eve falls on a weekday, the times above are exact; use the weekly schedule links for surrounding dates.