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The word Shavuot means "weeks": It marks the completion of the seven weeks between Passover and Shavuot (the 'Omer' period) during which the Jewish people prepared themselves for the giving of the Torah. During this time they cleansed themselves of the scars of slavery and became a holy nation ready to enter into an eternal covenant with G-d with the giving of the Torah.

Shavuot also means "oaths", with the giving of the Torah, the Jewish people and G-d exchanged oaths, forming an everlasting covenant, not to forsake one another.

Shavuot is the second of the three major festivals (Passover being the first and Sukkot the third) and comes exactly fifty days after Passover.

Shavuot is the season of the wheat harvest, and is known in the Bible as "the Feast of the Harvest", and also as "the day of the First Fruits". The term "Pentecost", by which this Festival is often referred to, is the Greek word "fiftieth", signifying that it is the Feast which we celebrate on the fiftieth day after the first day of Pesach.

The Torah refers to the holiday of Shavuot with three names, Chag HaKatzir (the Reaping Holiday), Yom HaBikkurim (Day of the First Fruits) and Shavout (Weeks).

This year Erev Shavout starts at sundown on June 1^st, 2006. Many thousands of people are expected to arrive in Yerushalyim the night before Shavout and the next day at the Western Wall for study and prayer for Shavuot. Many Jews stay up throughout the entire night, studying and praying alone or in groups, in commemoration of the Jewish Nation's acceptance of the Torah at Mt. Sinai 3,316 years ago.

The Start Of Shavuot

On the first of Sivan, the first day of the third month after the exodus from Egypt, the children of Israel reached the desert of Sinai and camped near the mountain. During the few weeks of traveling in the desert under Divine protection, with daily miracles, such as the manna and the quail, the miraculous sweetening of the water, the defeat of Amalek, and the crossing of the Red Sea, the Jewish people had become more and more conscious of G-d. Some developed faith in the power of G-d and others were still stuck in their old life and ways.

Moses went up to G-d, and the L-RD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: "You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. "Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." [Exodus 19:3-6 NASU]

So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the L-RD had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, (Naaseh Venishma) "All that the L-RD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the L-RD. [Exodus 19:7-8 NASU]

Thus they accepted the Torah outright, with all its precepts, not even asking for a detailed explanation of the obligations and duties it involved.

When Israel had voiced its eagerness to receive the Torah, G-d spoke to Moses again: The L-RD also said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the L-RD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. "You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, "Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. [Exodus 19:10-12 NASU]

The beginnings of the Messianic Movement took place as recorded in the Book of Acts, at the Feast of Shavuot. This feast is the feast of Pentecost, the feast of first fruits (Yom HaBikkurim) that is spoken of in Acts Chapter 2.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs -- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of G-d." And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others were mocking and saying, "They are full of sweet wine." But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. "For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' G-d says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy. 'AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. 'THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE L-RD SHALL COME. 'AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE L-RD WILL BE SAVED.' "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by G-d with miracles and wonders and signs which G-d performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know -- this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of G-d, you nailed to a cross by the hands of G-dless men and put Him to death. "But G-d raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. "For David says of Him, 'I SAW THE L-RD ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN. 'THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE; BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY. 'YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.' "Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. "And so, because he was a prophet and knew that G-D HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. "This Jesus G-d raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. "Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of G-d, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. "For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'THE L-RD SAID TO MY L-RD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET."' "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that G-d has made Him both L-rd and Christ -- this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the L-rd our G-d will call to Himself." [Acts 2:1-39 NASU]

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. [Acts 2:41 NASU]

Shavout is a special day. Shavout marks the start of the dispensation of the giving of the Law, in the Old Testament. Shavout is also the start of the dispensation of Grace in the New Testament. HaShem (G-d) takes us from an age of the patriarchs to an age of the Law and in Acts Chapter 2 He brings into an age of Grace. We pray "Baruch ha' bah Be'Shem Adonai", Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the L-rd. we pray that Yeshua will come and call His Kadoshim to be with Him.

Moses on Sinai - In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. Moses went up to G-d, and the L-RD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. 'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the L-RD had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, "All that the L-RD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the L-RD. The L-RD said to Moses, "Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever." Then Moses told the words of the people to the L-RD. The L-RD also said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the L-RD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. "You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ' Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 'No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the ram's horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain." So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. He said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman." So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet G-d, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

The L-RD Visits Sinai - Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the L-RD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and G-d answered him with thunder. The L-RD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the L-RD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Then the L-RD spoke to Moses, "Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the L-RD to gaze, and many of them perish. "Also let the priests who come near to the L-RD consecrate themselves, or else the L-RD will break out against them." Moses said to the L-RD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, ' Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it. Then the L-RD said to him, " Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the L-RD, or He will break forth upon them." So Moses went down to the people and told them. [Exodus 19:1-25 NASU]

This is the only recorded trumpet blast that was not blown by man, in the whole Old Testament. The next trumpet blast we hear from Heaven may be the call to the saints.

The keys to understanding the New Testament Book of Revelation are in the Old Testament. The keys to understanding G-d are in His Law, His Word, His Biblical Feasts and by His supply of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). Jewish people know the importance of Shavout. Christians should also understand how important this day is to us as believers in Mashiach. The giving of the Law, the giving of Grace and the giving of the Kingdom to come...

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. [Revelation 1:3 NKJV]

Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the L-rd. [Psalms 118:26 - Matthew 23:29]

The L-RD bless you, and keep you; The L-RD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The L-RD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.' [Numbers 6:24-26 NASU]

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. [Hebrews 10:23-25]

If you need to know more please contact us. If you are seeking the Face of G-d and looking for His Mashiach to come, please contact us. If you don't know who Yeshua is and who He can be in your life, please contact us.

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But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in His wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. [Malachi 4:2 in NASU & 3:20 in the Tanach]

The L-rd bless you, and watch over you; The L-rd make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The L-rd lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace. [NASU Numbers 6:24-26]

Shavuot

The Start Of Shavuot

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