CCAR RESPONSA
New American Reform Responsa
74. Palm Trees on Shavuot
QUESTION: Some members of my congregation remember that palm trees were displayed on Shavuot in the synagogues of their childhood in Central Europe. They would like to introduce this custom to our synagogue. Would this be appropriate? Is there such a minhag? (Peter Rostow, Boston MA)ANSWER: The festival of Shavuot has been augmented by a variety of traditions through the ages. Each of them sought to add to its significance or stressed a special element of this day. So, for example, the association with Sinai and the giving of the law (zeman matan toratenu) has been stressed through the custom of studying throughout the night of Shavuot. This was initially mentioned by the Kabalists of Safed and is found in the Zohar (Emor 98a). For this purpose a special reader was created (Tiqun Leil Shavuot). This volume contains brief excerpts from each of the Books of the Bible, the entire Book of Ruth and selections of each book of the Mishnah. These readings were selected from the beginning and end of the book, or in the case of the Torah from the very opening or closing verses of each parashah. In some traditions the six hundred and thirteen commandments, according to the Maimonidian sequence, were added along with portions from mystical texts as the Zohar or Sefer Yetzirah. These readings were accompanied by a festive mood and continued either until midnight or more commonly throughout the night. This custom was found in many Eastern European lands and continues in some circles today. A less intellectual reminder of the giving of the law has been created through eating dairy foods because the Torah is akin to milk and honey (Song of Songs 4.11). As Reform Jews, of course, we have added the custom of Confirmation to Shavuot. This ceremony originated with Israel Jacobson in 1810, in the German town of Seesen. Through involving both boys and girls it declared the equality of the sexes and the need to educate young women Jewishly. Confirmation celebrated additional educational achievement as it lay beyond the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah. The other element of Shavuot. is the harvest so the synagogue has often been decorated with greens as are the homes of each family. In some synagogues it became customary to decorate the synagogue itself with branches of trees or with trees planted in tubs. This is also a reminder that Shavuot. occurs at the season when fruit trees are to be judged (M Rosh Hashanah 1.2). In other words, on this day whether the fruit tree harvest will be abundant or slim is determined. I have been unable to discover how widespread the custom of putting potted trees into the synagogue became. It was customary in many synagogues throughout Central and Eastern Europe. It would, therefore, be good to incorporate this custom in your Shavuot. celebration.January 1990
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