Second Day of Yom Tov

Second Day of Yom Tov (Thursday, June 13)

• In many communities the Book of Ruth is read publicly (without a beracha) on the second day of Shavuot before the Torah reading.
• Chabad custom is not to read it publicly. It is read privately as part of the Tikkun. Sefardim and various Chassidim also do not read Megillat Rut publicly.

Reasons for Reading the Book of Ruth

• Shavuot is King David’s birthday and Yohrtzeit, so we read the book about his lineage.
• The Book of Ruth teaches us that the Torah is only acquired through suffering (i.e., voluntary relinquishing of earthly pleasures as personified by Ruth).
• Shavuot is a harvest festival, and so the Book of Ruth describes the harvest and how the poor were treated in the harvest season with sympathy and care.
• The name Ruth equals the gematriyah of 606, which is the number of mitzvot we accepted when we received the Torah in addition to the seven Noahide laws.

• Some read Megilat Rut from a scroll and say a blessing before doing so.
• Yizkor is recited on this day.
• Sefardim do not have this custom. In Israel, where there is only one day of Yom Tov, Yizkor is recited on that day (Wednesday).
• It is customary that those who are in mourning for the loss of a parent do not recite Yizkor during the mourning period (12 months). The Chabad custom is that they remain in Shul but do not actually recite Yizkor.
• The custom of Yizkor is to give tzedaka (after Yomtov) in memory of the departed.
• Chabad custom is that Av HaRachamim should be recited even by those not saying Yizkor.
• At the close of every Yom Tov, the Lubavitcher Rebbe would lead a farbrengen (inspirational Chassidic gathering) that included singing the songs associated with (or composed by) the Ba’al Shem Tov, the Maggid of Mezritch and all of the Chabad Rebbes. This uplifting singing would serve as a bridge between the holiness of the Yom Tov and the mundane time of the rest of the year.