Shavuot

Shavuot is the (birthday and) Yahrtzeit of King David.

• Shavuot is also the Yahrtzeit of the Ba’al Shem Tov. He passed away on Wednesday, the first day of Shavuot 5520 (1760), and is interred in Mezhibuzh. For this reason, the Chabad Rebbes would tell stories of the Baal Shem Tov on Shavuot.
• Whoever reflects on the opinion of Tosafot (Shabbat 89a D.H. Torah) regarding Shavuot will understand that this festival is an auspicious time on high. On this day G-d confounds the "supernal accuser" of Israel (Satan), similar to His confounding the accuser during Shofar-sounding on Rosh Hashana and on the holy day of the Fast of Yom Kippur.
• Shavuot is an opportune time to achieve everything in improving Torah-study and avoda (service of G-d) marked by fear (awe) of G-d, and also to strive in teshuva (repentance) concerning Torah-study, without interference by the accusing Satan, again just like the time of Shofar-sounding on Rosh Hashana and the holy day of the Fast of Yom Kippur.
• Regarding the holiday of Shavuot, all opinions agree that one must celebrate with food and drink, and it isn’t sufficient to only study and pray. This is to show that we are delighted that we received the Torah.
• According to one opinion in the Talmud, the weather of the following year can be predicted based on the weather of Shavuot.
• There was a custom to begin the formal education of Jewish boys (cheder) on Shavuot. A ceremony accompanied the event which involved eating cake and eggs with verses of the Torah written on them.
• There was also a custom to dedicate new Sifrei Torah on the holiday of Shavuot.