Email from Sarah Green:
Dear Rabbi Joshua,
With Shavuot approaching, I was wondering about the proper way to greet someone for the holiday. Is it okay to say “Happy Shavuot” or is there a more traditional greeting?
Thanks,
Sarah Green

Traditional and Contemporary Shavuot Greetings

Dear Sarah,

Your thoughtfulness in wanting to use the appropriate greeting for Shavuot is commendable. Let’s explore both traditional and contemporary ways to wish someone well for this joyous holiday.

Traditional Greetings: In Hebrew, a traditional greeting for Shavuot is “Chag Shavuot Sameach” (חג שבועות שמח), which translates to “Happy Shavuot Festival.” This greeting emphasizes both the joy of the holiday and its status as a chag, or festival, in the Jewish calendar.

Contemporary Greetings: Saying “Happy Shavuot” in English is perfectly acceptable and is a wonderful way to express your good wishes for the holiday. It’s a straightforward, warm, and friendly greeting that is easily understood by everyone, regardless of their level of observance or familiarity with Hebrew.

The Meaning of Shavuot: Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and is also linked to the harvest season in ancient Israel. It’s a time of gratitude, reflection, and joy. Any greeting that conveys these themes of happiness, renewal, and celebration is appropriate for the occasion.

Inclusiveness in Greetings: When greeting someone for Shavuot, it’s also considerate to be mindful of their background and observance level. A simple “Happy Shavuot” is inclusive and fitting for both those deeply familiar with the holiday and those who may be learning about it for the first time.

In conclusion, Sarah, whether you choose to use the traditional Hebrew greeting “Chag Shavuot Sameach” or the more contemporary “Happy Shavuot,” your intention to share joy and celebrate the holiday is what truly matters. Both greetings are appropriate and convey warm wishes for this special time.

With blessings and joy for the upcoming Shavuot,
Rabbi Joshua

Dear Rabbi Joshua,
With Passover approaching, I’m trying to understand the different traditions associated with the holiday. I’ve heard about something called a Seder Plate but I’m not sure what each item represents. Could you explain the significance of the Seder Plate and its components?
– Anthony Russo

The Essence of the Seder Plate

Dear Anthony,

The Seder Plate, or ‘Ke’arah’ in Hebrew, is the focal point of the Passover Seder table. Each item on the plate holds profound symbolic meaning and is a key component of the Seder narrative, which tells the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and their journey from slavery to freedom.

Components of the Seder Plate

The Seder Plate traditionally holds six items, each representing a unique element of the Passover story:

• Maror and Chazeret: Bitter herbs, usually horseradish and romaine lettuce, symbolize the bitterness and harshness of the slavery which the Israelites endured in Egypt.
• Charoset: A sweet, brown mixture made of fruits, nuts, wine, and spices, represents the mortar used by the Israelite slaves to build the storehouses of Egypt.
• Karpas: A vegetable like parsley or celery is dipped into salt water at the beginning of the Seder. The vegetable represents hope and redemption; the salt water symbolizes the tears shed during the period of enslavement.
• Z’roa: A roasted lamb shank bone, symbolizing the korban Pesach (Passover sacrifice) that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem.
• Beitzah: A roasted egg, symbolizing the korban Chagigah (festival sacrifice) offered in the Temple and also a sign of mourning for the destruction of the Temple (since the egg is a traditional food of mourners).

Deepening Our Understanding

Each item on the Seder Plate is not merely a symbol but an invitation to delve deeper into the Passover story and the Jewish experience. Through the rituals of the Seder night, we are not just retelling a tale of the past; we are encouraged to place ourselves in the story, to feel the bitterness of slavery and the sweetness of freedom, thus renewing our appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy and our commitment to bringing freedom to those who are still oppressed.

Conclusion

The Seder Plate is a testament to the resilience of the Jewish people and the enduring relevance of our liberation story. As you prepare your own Seder Plate, may you find personal meaning in these symbols, and may your Seder be a night of reflection, education, and inspiration.

Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday),
Rabbi Joshua

Dear Rabbi Joshua,
I recently came across a Jewish holiday called Lag Ba’omer, which I understand is celebrated with much joy and outdoor activities like bonfires. I am curious to learn more about this holiday, its origins, and its significance in Jewish tradition. Can you please enlighten me?
– Josephine Alvarez

Understanding Lag Ba’Omer

Dear Josephine,

Lag Ba’Omer is a festive day on the Jewish calendar, celebrated on the 18th day of Iyar. This date corresponds to the 33rd day of the Omer count, which is a period of semi-mourning between Pesach (Passover) and Shavuot. The Hebrew word “Lag” is not actually a word but an acronym for the Hebrew letters Lamed (ל) and Gimel (ג), which have the numerical values of 30 and 3, respectively, hence “Lag” (לג) Ba’Omer meaning “the 33rd [day] in the Omer.”

Historical Roots

The Omer period historically is a time of tempered joy, as it commemorates a plague that took the lives of 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva during the Roman occupation of Judea. The mourning practices are lifted on Lag Ba’Omer because, according to tradition, the plague ceased on this day. Additionally, Lag Ba’Omer marks the yahrzeit (anniversary of the death) of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a revered 2nd-century sage and mystic, who is said to have revealed the secrets of Kabbalah in the foundational work of Jewish mysticism, the Zohar, on this day.

Celebrations and Customs

Lag Ba’Omer is characterized by various customs and celebrations. In Israel and around the world, it is common to light bonfires, symbolizing the spiritual enlightenment Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai brought into the world. It is also a day for picnics and outdoor activities, especially for children, and is a popular day for weddings, as they are not conducted during the rest of the Omer.

Spiritual Significance

The bonfires lit on Lag Ba’Omer are also reminiscent of the light of the Torah, which Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai exemplified through his teachings. On a deeper level, the day symbolizes the resilience of the Jewish spirit, the power of Torah study, and the eternal light of Jewish mysticism.

Conclusion

Lag Ba’Omer thus serves as a beacon of hope and spiritual triumph within the Jewish calendar. It is a day when the Jewish people celebrate the enduring wisdom of the Torah, the joy of learning, and the strength found in unity and community.

May your interest in the treasures of our tradition bring you closer to the warmth and light of the Torah.

Blessings,
Rabbi Joshua