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May one recite Arvit and begin the festival of Shavuot before Tzet Ha'kochavim (nightfall) on Erev Shavuot?
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The Mishna Berura (494:1) writes that Arvit should not be recited before nightfall, so that forty-nine complete days of the Omer pass before we celebrate the fiftieth day, Shavuot. Chacham Ovadia Yosef, however, ruled that one may be lenient and begin the holiday before Tzet Ha'kochavim, if waiting poses difficulty for one's family. Likewise, Chacham Baruch Ben-Chaim would recite Arvit and Kiddush before Tzet Ha'kochavim on the night of Shavuot, explaining that he wanted to ensure that the children can remain awake to participate in the Yom Tov celebration.
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If a person remains awake throughout the night of Shavuot, does he recite the Beracha of "Al Netilat Yadayim" after washing his hands in the morning?
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The Mishna Berura (494:1) writes that one indeed recites this Beracha when washing his hands after using the restroom in the morning. The practice of the Sepharadim, however, is that a person who remained awake all night does not recite this Beracha in the morning.
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If one remains awake throughout the night of Shavuot, does he recite Birkot Ha'Torah and Elokai Neshama in the morning?
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Different views exist among the authorities on this issue; the practice of the Sepharadim follows the view that one who remained awake all night does recite these Berachot in the morning.
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Are marital relations permitted on the night of Shavuot?
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The Mishna Berura (494:1) writes that according to Kabbala, one should not engage in marital relations on Shavuot, unless the wife immersed in the Mikveh that night.
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On which days during the month of Sivan is Tachanun omitted?
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The Rama (494:3) writes that Tachanun is omitted from the first of Sivan through the eighth, that is, through the day following Shavuot. The practice among the Sepharadim, however, is to omit Tachanun (and recite Yehi Shem in its place) through the twelfth of Sivan, and the practice among those from Aleppo is to omit Tachanun on the thirteenth, as well.
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Is it permissible to decorate the home or synagogue with flowers on Shavuot, or must this be done before Shavuot?
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It is permissible to decorate the home or synagogue with flowers on Shavuot itself (Mishna Berura 494:9).
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If Shavuot falls on Sunday, may one decorate the home or synagogue on Shabbat?
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No, as it is forbidden to make preparations on Shabbat for Sunday (Mishna Berura 494:9).
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Is it appropriate to decorate the home or synagogue for Shavuot with trees?
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The Mishna Berura (494:10) records that there was a practice to bring trees into the homes and synagogues for Shavuot, in commemoration of the fact that the divine judgment for the quality of the year's fruits occurs on Shavuot. However, the Mishna Berura then notes that the Vilna Gaon instructed that this practice be discontinued once it became a religious practice among Christians on their holidays.
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Which foods are customarily eaten on Shavuot?
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The Rama (494:3) records the practice to eat dairy products on the first day of Shavuot, and the Mishna Berura (494:13) adds that some communities had the practice also to eat honey on Shavuot. Many Sepharadim have the practice to eat either rice pudding or a pastry made from rice and honey.
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Which material should one study on the night of Shavuot?
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It is proper to learn the "Tikkun Leil Shavuot" text that is available in many books. Nevertheless, Chacham Ovadia Yosef rules that a person who finds this very difficult, and prefers to learn Gemara, is allowed to do so.
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May one recite Arvit and begin the festival of Shavuot before Tzet Ha'kochavim (nightfall) on Erev Shavuot?
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The Mishna Berura (494:1) writes that Arvit should not be recited before nightfall, so that forty-nine complete days of the Omer pass before we celebrate the fiftieth day, Shavuot. Chacham Ovadia Yosef, however, ruled that one may be lenient and begin the holiday before Tzet Ha'kochavim, if waiting poses difficulty for one's family. Likewise, Chacham Baruch Ben-Chaim would recite Arvit and Kiddush before Tzet Ha'kochavim on the night of Shavuot, explaining that he wanted to ensure that the children can remain awake to participate in the Yom Tov celebration.
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If a person remains awake throughout the night of Shavuot, does he recite the Beracha of "Al Netilat Yadayim" after washing his hands in the morning?
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The Mishna Berura (494:1) writes that one indeed recites this Beracha when washing his hands after using the restroom in the morning. The practice of the Sepharadim, however, is that a person who remained awake all night does not recite this Beracha in the morning.
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If one remains awake throughout the night of Shavuot, does he recite Birkot Ha'Torah and Elokai Neshama in the morning?
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Different views exist among the authorities on this issue; the practice of the Sepharadim follows the view that one who remained awake all night does recite these Berachot in the morning.
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Are marital relations permitted on the night of Shavuot?
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The Mishna Berura (494:1) writes that according to Kabbala, one should not engage in marital relations on Shavuot, unless the wife immersed in the Mikveh that night.
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On which days during the month of Sivan is Tachanun omitted?
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The Rama (494:3) writes that Tachanun is omitted from the first of Sivan through the eighth, that is, through the day following Shavuot. The practice among the Sepharadim, however, is to omit Tachanun (and recite Yehi Shem in its place) through the twelfth of Sivan, and the practice among those from Aleppo is to omit Tachanun on the thirteenth, as well.
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Is it permissible to decorate the home or synagogue with flowers on Shavuot, or must this be done before Shavuot?
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It is permissible to decorate the home or synagogue with flowers on Shavuot itself (Mishna Berura 494:9).
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If Shavuot falls on Sunday, may one decorate the home or synagogue on Shabbat?
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No, as it is forbidden to make preparations on Shabbat for Sunday (Mishna Berura 494:9).
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Is it appropriate to decorate the home or synagogue for Shavuot with trees?
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The Mishna Berura (494:10) records that there was a practice to bring trees into the homes and synagogues for Shavuot, in commemoration of the fact that the divine judgment for the quality of the year's fruits occurs on Shavuot. However, the Mishna Berura then notes that the Vilna Gaon instructed that this practice be discontinued once it became a religious practice among Christians on their holidays.
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Which foods are customarily eaten on Shavuot?
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The Rama (494:3) records the practice to eat dairy products on the first day of Shavuot, and the Mishna Berura (494:13) adds that some communities had the practice also to eat honey on Shavuot. Many Sepharadim have the practice to eat either rice pudding or a pastry made from rice and honey.
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Which material should one study on the night of Shavuot?
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It is proper to learn the "Tikkun Leil Shavuot" text that is available in many books. Nevertheless, Chacham Ovadia Yosef rules that a person who finds this very difficult, and prefers to learn Gemara, is allowed to do so.
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