Rabbi Cantor Robbi Sherwin

A: Shavu'ot celebrates the revelation of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. Known as "the Feast of Weeks," it has been seven times seven weeks since we left Egypt. All of us are encamped together, awaiting Moses' return from communing with God. The excitement builds as the mountain rumbles with God's presence, and Moses descends with the infamous first set of tablets containing the 10 Commandments. In some modern communities in a relatively new practice, Jews stay up all night studying to show that we have already accepted the Torah.

So, what does this have to do with eating dairy products? Three explanations: The laws of kashrut, ("keeping Kosher"), which govern the proper and holy ritual slaughter and consumption of animals, were first introduced at Mt. Sinai. After learning of these laws, the Israelites could not eat the meat they had prepared, as it was not prepared according to the newly revealed laws of kashrut. Without time for a proper ritual slaughter, they ate dairy products instead, which were readily on hand. King Solomon compared the Torah to milk. He wrote: "Like honey and milk, it lies under your tongue." (Song of Songs 4:11) Another explanation: The land that was promised to us was described as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8).

I look forward to celebrating our Pizza, Shabbat & Shavu'ot Celebration in Hailey this weekend (see the newsletter for details!). I'd like to call on all joining us this Friday night to "let your milk flag fly" and bring something fun and dairy-licious for us to enjoy. Next year, I hope to have a Cheesecake/Blintz/Bourekas (Sephardic Jewish pastry) tasting around Shavu'ot!