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Noahides and the First Day of Shavuot – Matan Torah

In the Hebrew year 2448 (1313 BCE), on the 6th or 7th— See the blog: On Which Date was the Torah Given? day of the Hebrew month of Sivan,  G‑d gave the entire Torah. The Ten Commandments, the Chumash, the 613 Mitzvot to the Jews and the 7 Mitzvot to the Noahides. The 7 Mitzvot for Noahides were confirmed and sealed at the 4the day at Mount Sinai.[1] This was done on Matan Torah to bring the 7 mitzvot under the umbrella of Sinaitic obligation instead of the original covenant under Noah.[2]

That the 7 Noahides Commandments were also given at Mount Sinai through Moses is also learnt from the Midrash which says that the Torah was given not only in the Holy Language (Hebrew), but also in the 70 languages of the nations.[3]

Since this is the commemoration day of G-d’s affirmation of the 7 Noahide mitzvot to the whole world, it is an appropriate time to affirm or to repeat the affirmation of the 7 mitzvot. This can be done individually or by the community as a whole. It is not necessary to use a special text for this and can be done with one’s own words in prayer to Hashem. If one wants to do it publicly, it is recommendable to use a suggested text for this purpose. See the blog “fundamentals of the faith – 2 To accept the “yoke of Heaven”- Noahide Affirmation.

Besides giving of the Torah, there is a second general meaning to Shavuot. It is the day the world is judged as to whether the fruit trees will yield enough produce to sustain the world’s population. [2]

Prayers -on this day – can be said from the heart, in one’s own language with words of one’s own choosing. The following two Psalms are suggestions for recitation.

Before the acknowledge of the Revelation at Sinai: Psalm 19

For asking for a favorable judgment upon the produce of trees: Psalm 1

There is a custom to decorate the synagogue beautifully with greenery and flowers on this day. This symbolically represents renewed hope for the world. When the world accepts the Torah, it creates a world that is habitable, a place for Hashem to dwell, a renewed Gan Eden. This custom of decorating with greenery and flowers may also be practiced by a Noahide.

By Angelique Sijbolts

Sources:

[1] See blog: Parshat Mishpatim – Where Do We Find the 7 Noahides Laws? https://sukkatshalom-bneinoach.com/2023/02/12/parasha-mishpatim-waar-vinden-we-de-7-noachdische-wetten/
[2] The Noahide Laws p. 168
[3] Shemot Rabba 28-6

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