General Introduction

1. Torah laws according to Sefer Hakhinukh (see also §4 below):

• 306 Counting the Omer (Leviticus 23:15-16);
• 307 The 'new offering' of wheat on Shavuot (Leviticus 23:16);
• 380 The Second Pesach on the 14th of Iyar (Numbers 9:11);
• 381 That the Second Pesach should be eaten with matza and maror (Numbers 9:11).

2. Certain laws of mourning apply for a total of 33 days during the period of counting the Omer: no marriages, no haircuts and a general reduction in celebration.

3. It is customary to read Pirkei Avot (Chapters of the Fathers) in instalments, starting on the Sabbath after Pesach. Some continue reading it (in six instalments) until Shavuot; others repeat the cycle until Rosh Hashanah.

4. Torah laws applicable to Shavuot according to Sefer Hakhinukh:

• 308 Prohibition of certain activities on the Festival day (Leviticus 23:21);
• 404 Additional (musaf) offering to be brought. (Numbers 28:27-30);
• 419 To study Torah and teach it (Deuteronomy 6:7);
• 91 To bring first produce (bikkurim) to the Sanctuary (Deuteronomy 26:2);
• 606 To make a declaration when bringing first produce (Deuteronomy 26:5).
• 5. It is customary to stay awake all night on Shavuot and study Torah.
• The house and synagogue are decorated with greenery.
• The Scroll of Ruth is read in the synagogue.
• It is customary to eat dairy food.