iStock.com/GMVozd
iStock.com/GMVozd

The holiday of Shavuot, or the Festival of Weeks, which falls this year on May 27, marks the Jewish community’s receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, and it also signals the beginning of the harvest season in Israel. The date marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot.

Unlike other Jewish holidays, Shavuot has no prescribed mitzvot (Torah commandments), but it’s characterized by several customs, including reading a specific liturgical poem during morning services, eating dairy products, reading the Book of Ruth, decorating homes and synagogues with greenery and engaging in all-night Torah study.

There are varying opinions on why, exactly, we eat dairy on Shavuot, one of which is that when God gave us the Torah, we realized that all of our meat dishes weren’t kosher, so the only alternative was to eat dairy, which requires no advance preparation. But whatever the reason, we think a great way to celebrate Shavuot is with an ice cream party! It’s a really easy way to celebrate—just grab your favorite ice cream and toppings and go!

created at: 2012-04-23

Clockwise, from top left: Eco-Friendly Wooden Ice Cream Spoons in Stripes; Polka Dot Candy Cups; Set of 20 Marimekko Mummolan Marjat Paper 6.5” Napkins; COOP’S Handmade Hot Fudge; Cabot Whipped Cream; Fresh Strawberries; Dean Jacob’s Rainbow Sprinkles; Orange Ice Cream Cone Wrappers (Set of 12); Melamine Party Flags Platter; Tissue Tassel Garland in Electric Love; I Heart Pies Chocolate Brownies.