The Festival Laws for Shavuot

Shavuot is a low-key, pensive holiday, unlike Passover with its long Seder nights and crunchy, matzah-filled days. The following are the general laws of the holiday of Shavuot:

Candle lighting
Shabbat and all Jewish holidays always begin at sunset of the evening before. On the Sabbath and Yom Tov [festival] candles are lit 18 minutes before sunset to welcome the holiday.

Two candles (minimum) are lit, then both hands are waved towards the face, symbolically drawing in the light of the candles and the sanctity of the Sabbath/Yom Tov. The eyes are covered and the blessing is recited.

Baruch atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu Melech Ha-olam, asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzeevanu l'hadlik ner shel Yom Tov.

Blessed are you L-rd, our G-d, Ruler of the world, who sanctified us through His commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Yom Tov (festival).

An additional blessing, Sheh'heh'cheh'yanu, is pronounced to acknowledge the good fortune of being able to experience the holiday:

Baruch atah Ado-nai, Ehlo-haynu Melech Ha-olam, sheh'heh'cheh'yanu v'kee'manu v'hee'gee'anu la'zman ha'zeh.

Blessed are you L-rd, our G-d, Ruler of the world, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Evening Services are Held in the Synagogue
A festive meal is eaten, preceded by the Festival Kiddush, ritual washing of the hands and Ha'Motzee, which is made over two whole challot. The meal is followed by the Grace After Meals with the addition of Y'aleh V'Yavo, "May there rise and come...", in honor of the holiday, and the Harachamon for the festival.

Changes in the morning synagogue service
1) During Shacharit, the morning service, the Festival Amidah is recited.
2) Hallel
---Hallel is a collection of Psalms that are recited on the festivals and Rosh Chodesh (the new month).
---Hallel can be found in the siddur (Jewish prayerbook).
3) The Book of Ruth (http://www.jewishtreats.org/2009/05/book-of-ruth.html) is read on the last day of the holiday.
4) The Torah Reading
---On the first day of Shavuot, Exodus 19:1-20:23 is read in synagogue. On the second day of Shavuot, Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 is read in synagogue.
---The maftir (additional reading) on both days is Numbers 28:26-31.
---The haftorah (prophetic message) on the first day is from the Ezekiel 1:1-28, 3:12. The haftorah on the second day is from Habakuk 2:20-3:19.
5) Yizkor - The Memorial Service
---The Yizkor Memorial Service is recited on the last day of all festivals -- Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot and on Yom Kippur.
---While those who have passed away are no longer able to effect their own spiritual growth, the deeds of their children may result in additional merit for their souls.
---According to some Ashkenazic customs, those whose parents are both living leave the sanctuary during Yizkor. In Sephardic custom, everyone remains in the sanctuary while the cantor recites Yizkor.

Festival Meal
A festive meal is eaten, preceded by the daytime festival Kiddush, ritual washing of the hands and HaMotzee, which is made over two whole challot. The meal is followed by the Grace After Meals with the addition of Y'aleh V'Yavo, "May there rise and come...", in honor of the holiday and the Harachamon for the festival.

Mincha
The afternoon service is recited with the special Festival Amidah (and the special insertions for Shabbat, as well as including the weekly Torah reading for Shabbat Mincha, when applicable).

Havdalah
At the conclusion of the second day of Yom Tov, Havdalah, separating holy days from week days, is recited in the evening Amidah. This Havdalah is followed by the formal Havdalah, which consists of only the blessing over grape juice (HaGafen) and the Havdalah blessing (HaMavdil), which can be found in the prayer book.

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