What is Shavuot? A Message from JDC Entwine's Rabbi Joshua Mikutis

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:02]On Shavuot, we celebrate receiving the Torah. But, another core part of this holiday is about giving.

[00:00:09]Because Shavuot was one of three pilgrimage festivals. On Shavuot, Jews would come from all over to Jerusalem to the temple, bringing their first fruits, giving. And I think this dual nature of Shavuot about receiving and giving is core to what it means to be part of a community. That there is always giving and receiving, and that they often happen simultaneously.

[00:00:39]So, let's use this Shavuot to recommit to being part of a global Jewish community where we can both give, but also receive.