שבועות
Shavuot
Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It falls exactly 49 days (seven weeks) after Passover, marking the culmination of the Omer counting period. The holiday celebrates both the wheat harvest and the spiritual harvest of receiving God's teachings.
When is Shavuot 2026?
Begins at sunset
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Ends at nightfall
Saturday, May 23, 2026
In Israel? Shavuot is observed for a shorter duration in Israel.
View Israel datesShavuot is observed on the 6th of Sivan, typically in May or June. In the diaspora, it is celebrated for two days (6th and 7th of Sivan), while in Israel it is one day. Many communities stay up all night studying Torah (Tikkun Leil Shavuot).
Significance
Shavuot commemorates the most important event in Jewish history—the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It represents the spiritual purpose of the Exodus: the Israelites were freed from Egypt not just for physical liberation, but to receive the Torah and become a holy nation devoted to God's service.
Shavuot Prayers
View the complete collection of prayers and blessings for Shavuot in Hebrew and English.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shavuot
Shavuot customs include staying up all night studying Torah (Tikkun Leil Shavuot), reciting Akdamut (an Aramaic poem) before the Torah reading, reading the Book of Ruth, reciting Yizkor (memorial prayers), and saying Hallel. The Ten Commandments are read from the Torah.
The Book of Ruth is read on Shavuot for several reasons: Ruth accepted the Torah and converted to Judaism, the story takes place during the harvest season, Ruth was an ancestor of King David (who was born and died on Shavuot), and her dedication to Torah values exemplifies the commitment we celebrate on this holiday.
Tikkun Leil Shavuot is the custom of staying up all night on the first night of Shavuot to study Torah. This tradition commemorates the Israelites who overslept on the morning of receiving the Torah and had to be awakened by God. By staying awake, we demonstrate our eagerness to receive the Torah.
Several reasons are given for eating dairy on Shavuot: after receiving the Torah with its kosher laws, the Israelites could not eat their existing meat dishes; the Torah is compared to milk and honey; the numerical value of the Hebrew word for milk (chalav) equals 40, corresponding to Moses's 40 days on Mount Sinai.
About Shavuot
Shavuot (שבועות) is one of the important holidays in the Jewish calendar. This page provides the dates for Shavuot 2026 and information about its meaning and observance.
Looking for prayers? Am Hazak provides the complete text for Shavuot prayers in Hebrew with English translations. Visit our Shavuot prayers page for blessings and liturgy.