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Siman
494 - The Order of the Prayer [Service] of the Yom Tov of Shavuos
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Mishnah Berurah for the entire siman: at
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Siman 494, se'if 1
(a) What exactly is
the festival of Shavuos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): The
"fiftieth day" of the counting of the omer.
[Classic sources: Vayikra 20:15-16, Devarim
16:9-10.]
(b) Is the prayer
service of Shavuos just like any festival (such as Pesach), except
for its declaration, and what is that? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): We say [that
Hashem gave us] "this Yom Tov of Shavuos, [which is] the time of
the giving of our Torah," and yes (other than that it's the same).
[Classic sources: "Tractate Sofrim" 19:4, Shabbos 86 (points1b,3a-e) - 87a
(points1a-h)]
(c) Is Hallel included
in the prayer service of Shavuos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Yes, in its
entirety.
[Classic sources: Erchin 10a (points2c1-2).]
(d) What is the Torah reading
for the first day of Shavuos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): Two Sifrei
Torah are taken out; in the first one Sh'mos 19:1 - 20:23 (i.e. from
"In the third month" until the end of the parsha [of "Yisro"])
is read in five aliyahs, and in the second "And on the day of the
first fruits" [i.e. the section beginning with Bamidbar 28:26] is
read as "maftir".
[Classic sources: Megillah 31a (points1a1,f6-f7i).]
(e) What is the "Haftarah"
reading for the first day of Shavuos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): [The section
about] "the chariot" of Yechezkel [i.e. Chapter 1], concluding
with the pasuk "And a wind lifted me..." [i.e. ibid. 3:12].
[Classic sources: As in the previous question.]
Siman 494, se'if 2
(a) What is the Torah reading
for the second day of Shavuos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): As on the
first, except that the first five aliyahs are from "Any
first-born" [i.e. Devarim 15:19] until the end of the parsha
[of "Re'ay"].
[Classic sources: As in question 1(d).]
(b) What is the "Haftarah"
reading for the second day of Shavuos? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): In Chabakuk,
from "And Hashem is in His Holy Chamber" [i.e. 2:20] until "For
the Conductor, with my melodies" [i.e. 3:19].
[Classic sources: As in question 1(d).]
Siman 494, se'if 3
(a) How is "Isru
Chag", the day after Shavuos, a festival? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Shulchan Aruch writes (put simply): It is assur
to fast.
[Classic sources: Sukkah
45b (point4b).]
(b) In the period
surrounding Shavuos, is the prayer supplement of Tachanun
said? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): Not from the beginning
of Rosh Chodesh Sivan through the eighth (i.e. "Isru Chag").
[Classic sources: See Shabbos 86b (points3a-e) - 87a
(points1a-h).]
(c) Is there a minhag
on Shavuos to spread plantlife (to commemorate the joy of
the giving of the Torah)? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): Yes - grasses - both
in the synagogue and homes.
(d) Is there a minhag
on Shavuos to eat dairy dishes? [Request
"Halacha Sources" discussion]
The Rema writes (put simply): Yes, on the first day.
It can be explained (similarly to the two dishes used on Pesach night to
commemorate the "Chagigah" and "Pesach"
offerings), as follows: To commemorate the "two loaves" brought on
Shavuos, we eat dairy and then meat - which necessitates bringing two separate
loaves to the table - which stands in place of the mizbayach.