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A Practical Guide for Believers in Messiah With all the spiritual meaning behind the holy day of Shavuot, believers in Yeshua can find great blessing in celebrating it. Much of the traditional Jewish observance can be followed. Yet, as believers add messianic perspective to this feast, it becomes more meaningful. The practical celebration of Shavuot begins when Sfirat Haomer ends. On the day before the start of Pentecost, a number of preparations should be made for the observance. The dinner table is set with the best linens and dishes. You may want to decorate the house with greenery or fresh flowers, a reminder of the harvest aspect of the day. As the sun is setting on Erev Shavuot (evening of Pentecost), the family and friends gather around the festive table. The holiday candles are lit and the following blessings are recited: Barukh atah Adonai Elohenu melekh ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvohtav l’hayot or l’goyeem v’natan-lanu Yeshua m’shee-khaynu ha-or la-olam. Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by thy commandments and commanded us to be a light unto the nations and has given us Yeshua, our Messiah, the Light of the World. On the first night of the holy day we add: Barukh atah Adonai Elohenu melekh ha-olam, she-he-khiyanu v’kiya-manu v’higi-yanu lazman hazeh. Blessed are thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us and brought us to this season. The blessings over the wine and challah are chanted to traditional melodies. Next, the holiday dinner is served, which should include dairy dishes to help commemorate the milk, that is the Word of God. God’s Word becomes a special joy to believers in Yeshua because his holy spirit enables believers to follow his instructions. Many messianic congregations hold Erev Shavuot services and morning services the next day. Corporate worship and fellowship are consistent with the intent of Pentecost. After the evening service, some ambitious believers might want to have their own Tikun Leil Shavuot (preparing for the night of pentecost). As we learned earlier, this is the tradition of staying up late to study Torah. A messianic group of believers might focus on the five books of Moses and the blessings of the holy spirit. Whatever customs are incorporated, the holy day of Shavuot can be a true blessing for those who have the holy spirit within them.
Recipes for Shavuot Blintzes Ingredients: Filling: Directions: Mix filling ingredients. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling onto the cooked-side of each crepe. Fold the top and bottom to the center. Roll the sides over. Return to pan and fry lightly until the center is cooked. Noodle Kugel •Note: Mix ingredients and refrigerate overnight before baking. Ingredients: Directions:
Miniature Cheesecakes Ingredients: Directions: A Word about the Interlude Between the Holy Days With the close of Shavuot, we come to an ending to the spring holy day season. It started with the redemption of Pesach, followed by the resurrection of Sfirat Haomer and culminated by the revival of First Fruits. Historically these three holy days have already been fulfilled according to God’s calendar of events. Accordingly, there is now a gap of time during the long summer in which there are no biblical holy days. The crops will grow during the summer months until the arrival of the fall holidays that speak of events just prior to the second coming of Messiah. As Yeshua himself said: “Now let the fig tree teach you its lesson: when its branches begin to sprout and leaves appear, you know that summer is approaching. In the same way, when you see all these things, you are to know that the time is near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:32–33). We are presently in that long, hot summer in which God is growing what will be harvested . Many signs indicate that the summer is quickly drawing to a close and the fulfillment of the fall holidays is about to begin. Are we ready for the return of Messiah? Are we working to help bring in the harvest of these latter days? The materials here were taken directly from God's Appointed Times with the publisher's permission. Return to Shavuot |
