SHAVUOT - May 25, 2023 - National Today

Home » What Day Is Shavuot 2021 » SHAVUOT - May 25, 2023 - National Today

Maybe your like

Skip to content

National Today

Menu National Today Log in Sign up Search Search Cancel Search National Today Submit

Shavuot—or the Feast of Weeks—is a Jewish holiday, celebrated between May 21–23 on the Gregorian calendar. The holiday has both an agricultural and biblical significance. Agriculturally, it marks the wheat harvest in Israel. Biblically, it commemorates the day God gave the nation of Israel the Torah on Mount Sinai.

The holiday also book-ends the Counting of the Omer, a ritualized counting of each of the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot. The tradition represents the anticipation around God’s gift of the Torah.

When is Shavuot 2026?

Shavuot, also called Pentecost or ‘Feast of Weeks,’ is on the sixth day of the month of Sivan in the Hebrew calendar.

History of Shavuot

The word ‘Shavuot’ or ‘Shavuos’ means ‘weeks.’ The holiday celebrates the completion of the seven-week Omer duration between Passover and Shavuot. God had gifted the Torah to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai more than 3,300 years ago. The occasion of Shavuot allows believers to renew their acceptance of this gift, and God blesses them once again with the Torah. 

The Feast of Weeks commemorates this revelation of the Torah on Mount Sinai and begins on the 50th day after the 49 days of counting the Omer. Shavuot is one of the Shalosh Regalim, or the Three Pilgrimage Festivals, in Judaism. The observance is associated with the grain harvest mentioned in the Torah. 

It took Moses and his companions and followers from Israel seven weeks of trekking to reach Mount Sinai. The conclusion of this seven-week-long journey is ‘Shavuot.’ The timing of the holiday gives reason to believe that Shavuot may already have been an ancient agricultural festival that coincided with the events that happened at Mount Sinai. Due to this agricultural aspect, Jews often ‘bring the outdoors indoors’ by adorning their houses with flowers and greenery. The holiday is also celebrated by many Jews staying up all night to study and prepare for the revelation of the Torah on Erev Shavuot. This is known as the Shavuot night watch.

Shavuot timeline

1272 B.C. Exodus

Moses leads the Jewish people out of Egypt in one of history’s most epic journeys, wandering the desert for 40 years.

1312 B.C. The Gifting of the Torah

The Torah is revealed to Moses orally at Mount Sinai.

17th century A.D. First Torah Scroll

The first Torah scroll is scribed by Yemenite Jews.

2021 Present-Day Observance

Shavuot continues to be celebrated with timeless traditions and happiness.

Shavuot FAQs

Why is Shavuot celebrated?

Shavuot marks the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel (Exodus 34:22). It is also the anniversary of the gifting of the Torah by God to the Children of Israel. 

Is Shavuot the same as Pentecost?

Yes, Shavuot is also called Pentecost.

What are the symbols of Shavuot?

One of the important symbols of Shavuot is ‘Bikkurim.’ This was a gold or silver basket containing the first of the Seven Species crops: barley, dates, figs, grapes, olives, pomegranates, and wheat.

How to Observe Shavuot

  1. Taking it easy with work

    A key feature of Shavuot is to abstain from work and instead focus on attending synagogue services. The Ten Commandments are also revised.

  2. Reading the Book of Ruth

    The Book of Ruth is a popular one on Shavuot. The story details one woman’s choice to accept the Torah and join the Jewish people.

  3. Feast!

    Shavuot also marks the arrival of spring and is partially a harvest celebration. So feast and be merry, it is encouraged!

5 Traditions Of Shavuot

  1. Shine a light

    Women light candles on both evenings of the holiday to welcome the blessings and wisdom.

  2. The reading of the Ten Commandments

    Everyone goes to the synagogue to hear the recital of the Ten Commandments on day one of Shavuot.

  3. The night watch

    It is customary to stay up all night reading the Torah intently and with meaning.

  4. Consuming dairy products

    Milk is considered as ‘cleansing’ so menu items for Shavuot include cheese blintzes, casseroles, quiche, and more.

  5. Decorating homes and synagogues

    Flowers and sweet incense is used to bring a more colorful ‘spring-y’ feel to homes and other indoor places.

Why Shavuot is Important

  1. Shavuot is a happy holiday

    As stated in Deuteronomy ‘And you shall rejoice in your festival… and you shall only be happy.’

  2. Shavuot is wholesome

    Shavuot is one of the Jewish holidays that is peaceful and without any violence or villainous figures in its history.

  3. It’s a day to feast and wear your best!

    Preparing insane amounts of food for your family and the less fortunate is part of Shavuot. New clothes and accessories are shopped for, children are spoiled with candy and toys, and flowers are placed all over the home to welcome spring.

Shavuot dates

Year Date Day
2025 June 1 Sunday
2026 May 21 Thursday
AprMayJun
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31
Chardonnay Day Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day End of the World Global Accessibility Awareness Day I Need a Patch For That Day International Tea Day National American Red Cross Founder’s Day National Aperitif Day National Memo Day National Notebook Day National Strawberries and Cream Day National Waiters and Waitresses Day National Waitstaff Day Navy Day Chile Rapture Party Day Shavuot Sister Maria Hummel Day Talk Like Yoda Day World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development World Fish Migration Day World Meditation Day View all May holidays

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.

  • 6,184 Days celebrated
  • 18,552 Ways to celebrate
  • 10,000,000+ Happy users

About us

  • Our Mission
  • Our Story

Resources

  • For Businesses
  • For Journalists
  • For Brands
  • For Influencers
  • FAQs
  • News
  • Reminders
  • Videos

Contact Us

  • Promote an Event
  • Submit an Error

Our Services

  • Create A Holiday
  • Sponsor A Holiday
  • Data Licensing

Months

  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

Upcoming

  • Today
  • Tomorrow
  • Monday
  • Friday
  • Saturday

All Months

  • National Today Calendar

Gifts

  • Reviews and Gift Guides

Blog

  • Blog Home

Shopping Reviews

  • Baby
  • Car
  • Children
  • Health & Fitness
  • Home & Garden
  • Kitchen
  • Pets
  • Sleep
  • Tech
  • Travel

Gift Guides

  • By Age
  • By Interest
  • By Occasion
  • By Price
  • By Recipient

Popular Holidays

  • National Girlfriend Day
  • Day of the Dead
  • National Boyfriend Day
  • National Sons Day
  • Mexican Independence Day
  • Pride Month
  • National Best Friends Day
  • National Daughter Day
  • World Bicycle Day
  • National Dog Day

About National Today

We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar — giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate.

Follow us on

Follow @NatlToday Copyright © 2017–2026 by National Today. Privacy policy
  • Holidays
  • News
  • Events
  • Birthdays
  • Reminders

Tag » What Day Is Shavuot 2021