Greenery on Shavuot
There is a popular Shavuot custom to decorate the home and synagogue with flowers and other greenery in honor of Shavuot.[1] This is in order to recall the miracle of the Sinai desert being carpeted with greenery, plants, and sweet smelling flowers in honor of the giving of the Torah.[2] Another reason offered for this custom is to recall that it was on Shavuot that baby Moshe was placed among the reeds of the Nile in the hopes that he would float to safety.[3] It is interesting to note that the custom of decorating the home and synagogue with greenery on Shavuot was included in the list of grievances that Haman presented to Achashverosh regarding the Jews and their antagonistic practices.[4]
In some congregations the Torah scroll itself is decorated with roses on Shavuot.[5] This is based on the teaching that when the Torah was given on Mount Sinai the entire world was filled with a sweet smell similar to that of roses.[6] Some have the custom to smell sweet smelling twigs and leaves, especially myrtle branches and roses, during the course of the prayers on Shavuot.[7] This custom also finds support in the Midrashic parable of a king who planted a garden. The garden had not been well kept, and when the king went to inspect it, he found it full of thorns. As he was razing the garden he saw a beautiful rose blossoming among the thorns. The sight and smell of the rose refreshed the king and he decided that for the sake of that one rose he would not destroy the garden. The rose in the story represents the Torah and it is for the Torah's sake alone that God keeps the world in existence and does not destroy it even when it is deserving of such.[8]
As part of the custom to decorate with greenery on Shavuot was the practice of placing real trees in the home and synagogue, as well.[9] There was some heavy opposition to this custom, however, as it resembled a well-known Christian practice.[10] On the other hand, some authorities praised the practice as it serves to remind us that Shavuot is the time when the world is judged concerning the produce of trees.[11] Indeed, on Shavuot we are to pray that the world should be blessed with plentiful and quality fruit.[12] Even those who oppose the custom of placing trees in the home and synagogue still encourage one to use other forms of greenery. It is only free standing trees and plants that were deemed to be problematic.[13]
[1] Rema, OC 494:3.
[2] Levush, OC 494.
[3] Chidushei Harim; Yalkut Yitzchak, cited in Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 494:7.
[4] Kaf Hachaim, OC 494:53.
[5] Kaf Hachaim, OC 494:58,59
[6] Midrash Talpiot, cited in Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 494:7.
[7] Kaf Hachaim, OC 494:57.
[8] Bnei Yissachar, cited in Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 494:7.
[9] Magen Avraham 494.
[10] Kaf Hachaim, OC 494:56; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 494:6.
[11] Magen Avraham 494:5.
[12] Kaf Hachaim, OC 494:56; Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 494:7.
[13] Minhag Yisrael Torah, OC 494:7.