Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, begins in 2021 on May 16. It is celebrated annually on the day that the Jewish people received the Torah from Mount Sinai following their exodus from Egypt. This year marks the 3,333rd year since the day Moses came down with the tablets.

A local Shavuot celebration will be hosted by Chabad of the Crescenta Valley at the La Cañada Country Club on May 17. It will include the hearing of the Ten Commandments, read from the Torah, and a lavish traditional dinner buffet of dairy foods.

The reasons are many for dairy foods being enjoyed during the Shavuot celebration. They include that, with the giving of the Torah, the Jews became obligated to observe the kosher laws. As the Torah was given on Shabbat, no cattle could be slaughtered nor could utensils be koshered, and thus on that day they ate dairy.

Another reason is that the Torah is likened to nourishing milk. Another is that when Moses ascended Mount Sinai the angels urged G‑d to reconsider His decision to give His most precious Torah to earthly beings.

“Bestow Your majesty upon the heavens … What is man that You should remember him, and the son of man that You should be mindful of him?” (Psalms 8:5-7). One of the reasons why the angels’ request went unheeded is because of the Jews’ meticulous adherence to the laws of the Torah – including the kosher laws. Not so the angels who, when visiting Abraham, consumed butter and milk together with meat (Genesis 18:8). On Shavuot dairy products are eaten and then a break is taken before eating meat in order to demonstrate the commitment to this mitzvah.

The program by the Chabad of the Crescenta Valley will include an interactive children’s program in addition to the reading of the Ten Commandments and dinner.

This is being offered free of charge to the entire community; RSVP is necessary; no country club membership is required.

The program begins at 5 p.m. at 5500 Godbey Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. RSVP at cvchabad.org/5098628 and for additional information email Rabbi@CVChabad.org.

This event is sponsored by Dr. and Dr. Roy Mansano.