Tonight, Sunday night, begins the holiday of Shavuot, commemorating the day on which the people of Israel received the Torah 3,320 years ago, and the beginning of the harvest season. The holiday, which also marks the end of the 49-day Omer period, is celebrated for one day in Israel, and two days in the rest of the world.

Jews throughout the world will stay awake all night studying Torah in classes, study-pairs, or individually, and tens of thousands are expected to arrive at the Western Wall for sunrise festival prayers. First-fruit ceremonies will take place in many kibbutzim throughout the country. In the Mirkavot Latrun park, thousands of people are expected to take part in the Fruits and Agricultural Equipment Convoy on Sunday.

On Monday, the public Torah reading in synagogues features the Divine revelation of the Ten Commandments, which are the basis for ethical behavior throughout most of the world.

The following Shavuot-related websites provide much valuable information on the holiday:
Video - Tuesday Night Live Special on Shavuot
The OU - <http://www.ou.org/chagim/shavuot/default.htm>
Aish HaTorah - <http://www.aish.com/holidays/Shavuot/>
Ohr Somayach - <http://www.ohr.org.il/special/shavuos/index.htm>
Project Genesis - <http://www.torah.org/learning/yomtov/shavuos/>
* See Jewish Hotsites, at <http://www.jr.co.il/hotsites/j-hdaysh.htm>, for more Shavuot websites.

Click here to see an entertaining and educational 70-second video on the importance of passing on the Torah heritage to coming generations.