[Note: Since this article was published in our Bulletin at the beginning of May, the continued pandemic has led us to continue keeping our building closed. Zoom Shabbat services are now taking place, but we decided to postpone the Confirmation service until we are doing in-person services again. In the meantime, please enjoy this article that talks about the connection between Shavuot and Confirmation. Chag Shavuot Same’ach — DS 5/28/20]
Shavuot (along with Passover and Sukkot) is one of the Shalosh Regalim/ the "Three Pilgrimage Festivals" of the Jewish religion. The Torah speaks of it as an agricultural festival ("Chag Habikkurim"/"Festival of First Fruits"), but rabbinic tradition early on identified it with “Zeman Matan Torateynu” / “The Time of the giving of our Torah.”
A classic midrash imagines God being reluctant to present this gift unless it would be appreciated by its recipients:
At Sinai, when the Jewish people were ready to receive the Torah, God said to them, “What? Am I supposed to give you the Torah without any security? Bring some good guarantors that you will keep it properly, and I will give it to you.” They said: “Our ancestors will be our guarantors.” God said: “They themselves need a guarantor!” […] They said: “Our prophets will be our guarantors.” God said: I have complaints against them, too […]” They said: “Then our children will be our guarantors.” God said: “Now, those are good guarantors!” (Shir Hashirim Rabbah 4:1)
Since its institution by Reform Judaism in the 19th century, Confirmation has been an occasion for young men and women to acknowledge publicly that they are in fact prepared to be such guarantors.
At the time that I am writing this article (April 23rd), our current moratorium on in-person gatherings at Temple Israel is in place until May 14th and our Shavuot/Confirmation service, at which Sam B. and David W. are scheduled to be confirmed, is scheduled to take place during the Friday night service on May 29th.
However, it seems entirely possible that our closure might be extended beyond May 14th, and conceivably beyond May 29th. It is difficult to know for sure at this moment. So please stay tuned for further announcements after the Temple Board next meets on May 14th about plans beyond that date. If our closure continues beyond May 29th then the current plan is that Confirmation would be rescheduled to coincide with our next in-person Friday night service. That would make that first time back in the sanctuary that much more special and festive!
As for Shavuot (which actually begins at sundown on Thursday, May 28th), I’m currently consulting with my colleagues in the Minnesota Rabbinical Association about the possibility of scheduling a virtual statewide “Tikkun Leyl Shavuot” program. This would be a late-night study session on Thursday, May 28th to take place over Zoom, with various presenters from several Minnesota congregations leading mini-lessons on a variety of Jewish topics. If we do end up scheduling this, further information will be forthcoming. [Note: Since this article was published my plans have changed. Instead of the MRA program, I will be participating in a Tikkun Leyl Shavuot program of the Reconstructionist Movement. Details can be found here: https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/news/shavuot-coming-together-across-globe-learn-through-night-our-homes ]
(And here is a link to an article that gives further information about the custom of “Tikkun Leyl Shavuot”: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tikkun-leil-shavuot/ )
In the meantime, may we all stay safe and healthy during these stressful times. Whether we end up being together in person by the end of May, or whether we are continuing to maintain physical distancing at that point, may we all have a happy Shavuot --- and we look forward to being able to say mazal tov to our confirmands soon.
Chag Same’ach,
Rabbi David Steinberg
<rabbidavid@jewishduluth.org>
