Hi,
Some communities spread grass on the floors of their homes and synagogues on Shavuot, to commemorate the greenness of Mount Sinai when the Torah was given, and to recreate the joy of the Revelation at Sinai.
Some also place trees in their homes and synagogues for Shavuot, to mark the Talmudic statement that we are judged for the year's fruit on Shavuot.
The Vilna Gaon annulled this latter practice, because other religions set up trees in honor of their holidays, and we are biblically prohibited from appearing to borrow their practices. This prohibition is called chukot akum. (We would not ban a biblically mandated religious practice for this reason, but a custom could be annulled for this purpose.)
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 494:3; Mishneh Berurah 494:10)
Chag Shavuot sameach,
Mordechai
Showing posts with label Shavuot: Grass and Trees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shavuot: Grass and Trees. Show all posts
Monday, June 2, 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The Greening of the Synagogue
Hi,
Some communities spread grasses on the floors of their homes and synagogues on Shavuot, to commemorate the greenness of Mount Sinai when the Torah was given, and to recreate the joy of the Revelation at Sinai.
Some also place trees in homes and synagogues for Shavuot, to mark the Talmudic statement that we are judged for the year's fruit on Shavuot.
The Vilna Gaon annulled this latter practice, because other religions set up trees in honor of their holidays, and we are biblically prohibited from appearing to borrow their practices. This prohibition is called chukot akum. (We would not annul a biblically mandated religious practice for this reason, but a custom could be annulled for this purpose.)
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 494:3; Mishneh Berurah 494:10)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
Some communities spread grasses on the floors of their homes and synagogues on Shavuot, to commemorate the greenness of Mount Sinai when the Torah was given, and to recreate the joy of the Revelation at Sinai.
Some also place trees in homes and synagogues for Shavuot, to mark the Talmudic statement that we are judged for the year's fruit on Shavuot.
The Vilna Gaon annulled this latter practice, because other religions set up trees in honor of their holidays, and we are biblically prohibited from appearing to borrow their practices. This prohibition is called chukot akum. (We would not annul a biblically mandated religious practice for this reason, but a custom could be annulled for this purpose.)
(Code of Jewish Law Orach Chaim 494:3; Mishneh Berurah 494:10)
Have a great day,
Mordechai
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