Resource Category: Shavuot

Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, a momentary pause for the Jewish people between the chaos of the Exodus and their journey to freedom in the promised land. This reminds us that while growth and recovery are long journeys, to progress appropriately, we need to take time to pause, rest and reflect on how far we have come and where we are going. Thus on Shavuot, we encourage you to pause and reflect on how far you have come, how you are doing and where you are going on your road to mental wellness.

Remember to Nishmah | Parshat Mishpatim

In the aftermath of trauma, one can easily become consumed by a sense of restlessness and a need to “do,” or a task to “na’aseh,” without taking time to pause and “listen” to their hearts. When the Jews escaped Egypt and transitioned into life in the desert, they likely felt that way, compelled to “do” without listening to how they were feeling in that moment. Perhaps God was reminding them to do so at the end of the Torah portion Mishpatim, where the iconic phrase, "Naaseh Ve'Nishmah - We Will do and We Will Listen!" is found.
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All Night, Always Honest

By Rabbi Zach Beer | On Shavuot night, while we shouldn’t fall asleep, we should consider embodying the value that the Jewish people brought to Har Sinai and spend the night reflecting on growing and being honest with ourselves as a means of connecting with God.
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An Aftermath of Grief in Megillat Rut

By Ruthie Hollander | If the past few months have taught us anything, it is that some grow louder in the face of loss and others quieter. Grief looks different on each one of us. In Megillat Rut, the text we read on the holiday of Shavuot, we find a powerful affirmation of the different forms of grief. They are especially resonant now as we feel the outpouring of the Jewish world’s anger, fear, and mourning in the still-echoing wake of unprecedented attack, of war we never wanted, of lost and stolen loved ones.
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Your Guide to “Arguments for the Sake of Heaven”

In Jewish tradition, arguments with a shared goal are holy and called “arguments for the sake of heaven!” Engaging in spirited debate conveys that both sides believe in the goal and care enough to fight for it. But shared goals don’t always mean constructive conversations, and a destructive conversation can have negative ramifications on your mental health. Here are three tips to ensure your arguments for the sake of heaven stay that way.
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Shavuot: The Holiday of Ultimate Awareness

By Rabbi Steven Gotlib | Beginning on the second night of Passover and extending until Shavuot, many Jews count the Omer. For 49 days, Judaism maintains a special awareness of time — even for a religion that, as Abraham Joshua Heschel described, constructs a sanctuary of time each week in marking the Sabbath. But what exactly makes these 49 days between Passover and Shavuot so special?
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Use Your Past to Create Your Future

These holidays are about forming deeper relationships with our heritage, the Torah, and community, to build a sense of belonging that has proved to have a significantly positive impact on our mental and physical wellness.
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