ORANJESTAD ā ShavuotĀ ā this year beginning at sunset on Thursday, May 25 and concluding at nightfall on Saturday, May 27, 2023 ā will be celebrated by Arubaās Jewish community, who will gather to hear the reading of theĀ Ten CommandmentsĀ from a handwrittenĀ Torah scrollĀ and enjoy dairy foods.
Shavuot marks the anniversary of and celebrates the Jewish People receiving the Ten Commandments and the Torah from G-d atĀ Mount Sinai, 3,335 years ago.
The central observance of the holiday will be marked in a community-wide gathering with Chabad of ArubaĀ holding a family-friendly reading of the Ten Commandments on the afternoon of Friday, May 26th at 11:00amĀ at the Chabad house, Salina Cerca 31C, followed by a delicious dairy lunch.
Chabad Aruba is also welcoming the community to Chabad house Shul for theĀ Yizkor memorial prayerĀ (a special memorial prayer for the departed) on Saturday, May 27 11:00am.
This yearās Shavuot celebrations have added significance as Jewish communities worldwide celebrate the āYear of Hakhelā orĀ Gathering, marked with gatherings focused on Jewish unity, Torah learning and practice.
āShavuot is the time when the Jewish People received the Torah together at Mt. Sinai as āone human with one heartā, so itās fitting that Arubaās Jewish community will gather to commemorate this day,āsaid Rabbi Ahron Blasberg, who directs Chabad Aruba. āDuring the Year of Hakhel, this show of unity to hear the Torah reading is more meaningful than ever.ā
The reading of the Ten Commandments has become a family tradition around the world at the urging of theĀ Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, the most influential rabbi in modern history, who explained that there is special significance to bringing children, even infants, to hear the Ten Commandments on Shavuot morning: āBy listening to the Ten Commandments on Shavuot morning,āĀ the Rebbe explained, āthe words of Torah will be engraved in the hearts and minds of the children. And through them, the Torah will be etched within their parents and grandparents with even greater intensity.ā
About Chabad Aruba
Chabad Aruba offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for families and individuals of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information about Chabad Aruba, contact Rabbi Ahron Blasberg at Rabbi@JewishAruba.comĀ or visit online atĀ www.JewishAruba.com