Welcoming Shabbat and Shavuot with Oseh Shalom by HaZamir

This week Shabbat, which starts at sundown tonight, leads directly into the Shavuot holiday, in which the giving of the Torah is celebrated for two days around the world and one day in Israel.

One of the most distinctive customs of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot is Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an evening-long study session held on the night of Shavuot. 

Tikkun means a “set order” of something and refers to the order in which the texts are read. The custom originated with the mystics of Safed in the 16th century, and today, many Jews stay up all night on Shavuot reading and studying a variety of sacred texts. Traditionally, readings from the Torah and Talmud are included. 

Many synagogues hold a Tikkun Leil Shavuot. Some host programs that go on all night, fueled by cheesecake, sushi, and other delicacies, culminating in morning services at sunrise. Other congregations gather for a few hours of study. Whether one is planning to attend an all-night session, study for a few hours, join with others, or study on one’s own, Shavuot is a wonderful time to encounter sacred text.

 

To welcome this holiday weekend, we're sharing a performance of Nurit Hirsh's iconic Oseh Shalom as captured at the HaZamir 2019 Gala Concert in David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center. 

 

Oseh Shalom is conducted by Dr. Marsha Bryan Edelman, conductor of HaZamir Philadelphia and arranged and accompanied on piano by Matthew Lazar, founder of HaZamir and founder and director of the Zamir Choral Foundation. Soloists for this piece are Shani Chamovitz from HaZamir HaSharon and Yosef Nelson from HaZamir DC.

We'll be attending synagogue services on Sunday and Monday, so Jewish Humor Central is taking a two-day break. We'll be back on Tuesday with our usual mix.

Shabbat shalom and Chag sameach!

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