Warning: This Backpack may cause salivating... Shavu'ot marks the receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, and it's tradition to eat dairy products in celebration. But why? Below, please find some interesting theories, complemented by guiding questions and activities for use in your educational settings.
The First Kosher Meal
With the receiving of the Torah, the Jewish people also began observing the laws of kashrut. But upon receipt, they did not yet have the tools they would need to prepare kosher meat. As a result, their first meal after receiving the Torah was dairy in observance of the new given laws.
- What does it mean to keep kosher? Compare how kashrut is observed in both Israel and America.
- What mitzvot are a part of your life?
- What types of laws and/or values do Jews in Israel and America abide by?
- If you were to add an 11th commandment, what would you add and why?
Milk
Chalav is the Hebrew word for milk and holds the numerical value of 40. But why? The number 40 connects to Shavu'ot in a number of ways: The Jews wandered the desert for 40 years, Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai receiving the Torah, 40 days praying for forgiveness for the Golden Calf and another 40 days returning with new commandments.
- Why do you think Israel is referred to as "the land of milk and honey"?
- Look at other Modern Hebrew words and discuss the numerical and/or Biblical connections (for example: Why do Jews often give donations in increments of 18? From where does the word Shavu'ot come?
Cheese
The Jews received the Torah at Mount Sinai. Another name for Mount Sinai in Hebrew is Har Gav'nunim. What Hebrew word is etymologically related to Gav'nunim? G'vina (גבינה), which means cheese!
- When Americans (and Israelis) take a picture, we say "cheese" so it forces us to smile. Except the Hebrew equivalent, g'vina, doesn't quite force us to smile in the same way. What Hebrew words can Israeli's say to make them smile for a photo? (Example: "Yofiiiiiiii")
Suggested Activities
1) Cook a dairy dish! Below are recipes for dishes that are commonly eaten in Israel for Shavu'ot:
- Pashtida - Israeli cheesy quiche
- Israeli cheesecake
- Cheese blintzes - classic Ashkenazic dish
- Shelkenei - a Jewish Kurdish dish
2) For the Sake of Justice: Israel's Basic Laws and its Supreme Court, an activity about the laws that govern Israeli society
3) Take a more detailed look at the 613 mitzvot. Have the students illustrate through drawing, a skit, or another form of expression a mitzvah that resonates with them or that they performed recently!