Study Questions for Tikun Leil Shavuot

To print a copy of the self study questions for Shavuot, download the attached printable copy.

1. Read  the following sources carefully; they include every instance in which Shavuot is mentioned in the Torah:

    A. Shmot 23:14-17 / 34:22-24;

    B. Vayikra 23:15-21;

    C. Bamidbar 28:26;

    D. Dvarim 16:9-12.

In each of the above, what is the reason for celebration?  

What is the primary mitzvah which must be performed on Shavuot?

2. Is the fact that Shavuot commemorates Matan Torah ever

mentioned in any of these sources? Why not?

3. Does Chumash ever mention precisely when Matan Torah

took place? Read Shmot 19:1-2 carefully, see Rashi.

What can we infer from Shmot 24:15-16?

4. Given that Yom Kippur marks the date on which Moshe came

down with the second Luchot, and based on the description

of the events of chet ha'egel is Dvarim 9:9-10:11 (note the

mention of forty days in 9:9,18,25 & 10:10), can we determine a  

more precise date for Matan Torah?

5. Does the Torah tell us the precise date of when we left

Egypt? Is that date commemorated? How many other specific

mitzvot commemorate Yetziat Mitzrayim? How many specific

mitzvot commemorate Matan Torah?

Why do you think the Torah never tells us the precise date of

 Matan Torah?

In other words, in what way is the event of Matan Torah

different that Yetziat Mitzrayim? See Rashi Shmot 19:1!

6. In the Torah's presentation of the other two "shalosh

r'galim", chag ha'matzot and chag ha'succot, we find

mention of their historical significance (Shmot 13:3-7,

Vayikra 23:43) as well as their agricultural perspective.

In what way is Shavuot different?

Had Bnei Yisrael been worthy and thus gone directly from

Mitzrayim to Har Sinai, when would have Matan Torah taken

place? Would Shavuot still have been celebrated? If so, when?

7. Where in Parshat Emor (Vayikra perek 23) do you think

the historical aspect of Shavuot should have been

mentioned? [Relate to 23:9-22, especially pasuk 22!]

Does pasuk 22 belong where it is? Is there any similar pasuk

anywhere else in Vayikra perek 23?

Where does pasuk 22 belong (see Vayikra 19:9)?

Now, read Vayikra 19:1-18, noting the use of the phrase "Ani

Hashem", and the parallel between these mitzvot and the dibrot!

Where is this 'shared pasuk' with Parshat Emor located? Could

there be a hidden connection here to Matan Torah?

8. Note that in the special korban that comes with the "shtei

ha'lechem" in Emor (23:17-19), a korban shlamim is included.

This is the only time during the entire year when the "tzibur"

offers a korban shlamim. Relate this to the special korban

offered at Ma'amad Har Sinai (Shmot 24:4-6).

Note that the only other instance when Bnei Yisrael offered a

shlamim was during the dedication of the Mishkan "b'yom

ha'Shmini" (see Vayikra 9:1-4).

Try to explain the significance of this korban shlamim?

9. How does the dedication of the Mishkan relate to Matan

Torah? (See shiur on Parshat Trumah- Tzaveh.)

The other special korban brought on "Yom Ha'Shmini"  (the seir

l'chatat of the Am and "par chatat" of Aharon etc.) finds its

parallel in the korban tzibur offered on Yom Kippur. Relate this to

the connection between Matan Torah and Yom Kippur (the day

 Moshe descended Har Sinai with the second luchot!).

Why do you think that these two aspects of the "yom ha'shmini"

korban (the chatat and shlamim), continue in  this manner on

these two holidays (Yom Kippur and Shavuot)?

10. Another special law concerning the "shtei ha'lechem" is the

fact that it is to be baked "chametz". How does this relate to

chag ha'matzot, and the connection between chag ha'matzot

and chag ha'shavuot.

How do the special agricultural mitzvot of these two holidays

 relate to the nature of the historical events which they

 commemorate?