The fire! The thunder! The awesome voice of the Almighty himself delivering the 10 commandments… and that was just the first Shavuot (shah-voo-OAT)! On this same day in history, the mighty rushing wind of the Holy Spirit was given to Yeshua’s disciples in Jerusalem. That’s why Shavuot (also known as Pentecost) is the anniversary of both events — the inseparable bond between the Torah and the Spirit!
This page includes everything you need to celebrate Shavuot with your family, your friends, your congregation — everyone!
Shavuot is a Hebrew word that means “weeks” and is called as such because we are to count 7 weeks up to the day of Shavuot from the Day of First Fruits (the morrow after Yeshua rose from the dead). The Day of First Fruits is the period of the spring barley harvest and Shavuot is the period of the wheat harvest.
It is common among Torah-observant believers to mark each day during this period by “counting the omer” (49 days) up to the 50th day of the count, which is the actual day of Shavuot. The “omer” is a unit of measure used in the Bible and in this context refers to the measure of barley used in the “wave” offering on the Day of First Fruits. Interestingly, while most Hebrew festivals fall on different days of the week from year to year, Shavuot is always celebrated on a Sunday (referred to simply as “the first day of the week” in Hebrew). This happens because the 50-day counting of the omer that commences on the Day of First Fruits also always starts on a Sunday, the “morrow after the Sabbath”, as commanded in Leviticus 23:15.
What Is Shavuot?
When Did Shavuot Originate?
This Feast of the LORD was first instituted the day following a full 7 weeks (50 days) after the Passover, as the Israelites were camped at the foot of Mount Sinai.
This was the day that the Almighty shouted his Torah (instructions) from heaven, accompanied by the spectacular sight of Mount Sinai enveloped with fire “to the midst of heaven” (Deut. 4:11).
Has Shavuot Been Fulfilled?
Centuries later, as the Messiah’s disciples were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot — the anniversary of the day the Israelites received the physical Torah (the “commandments”) — the spiritual aspect of the Torah (the Holy Spirit) was poured out.
“Tongues of fire” appeared above the heads of those gathered amidst a “rushing mighty wind” (Acts 2:2); the Hebrew word “ruach” (ROO-ahk) means both “wind” and “spirit.”
This was an undeniable statement from the Almighty that the Torah and the Spirit are one in Yeshua, the Living Torah.
What Does It Mean?
As such, Shavuot is a prophetic and spiritual feast that reminds us of the blessings and gifts that come from our relationship with the Almighty. It is a reminder to act boldly, filled with his Spirit to do his will — to be, that is, servants of the Kingdom.
FREE Downloads
What Is Shavuot?
Learn all about where Shavuot comes from, the prophetic fulfillment at the end of Yeshua’s 70-week ministry, and what it means today — all in wording that kids can easily understand!
10 Commandments Craft
A fun and educational craft for kids to help them learn and remember the 10 Commandments
How To Make and Braid Challah Bread
Commemorate the wave offering at Shavuot by making your own challah bread — recipe and braiding instructions included!
Get your free download of The Greatest Summer Vacation Story Never Told – an excerpt from Michael Rood’s acclaimed book, The Chronological Gospels.
