Last updated 8:05 p.m. ET on 10 may 1999.

Shavuot Has Evolved Through Many Names

The Feast of Weeks

Chag HaShavuot -- The original name of this festival, the name comes from the fact that it occurs 7 (sheva) weeks (shavuah) after Pesach.

The Harvest Feast

Chag Hakatsir -- The seven weeks were counted from the first ripening of the barley crop to the reaping of the barley harvest.

The Festival of the First Fruits

Chag Ha-Bikkurim -- During Temple times, the residents of agricultural Israel would bring the first fruits of their harvest to Jerusalem. Holidays on the Web has some interesting background on this custom.

The Season of the Giving of Our Torah

Zeman Matan Torateinu is the "giving" of the Torah, not the "receiving" of the Torah. This is a rabbinical explanation that goes on to say that we must continue to receive the Torah on a daily basis.

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