And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubim and palm-trees and open flowers, within and without. (1 Kings 6:29)
On Shavuot there is a custom to decorate the insides of our synagogues and homes with beautiful flowers. Shavuot is also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some time in nature.
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom-tree. (1 Kings 19:14)
Go on a walk in a park or area of conservation land, or find a place that sells flowers or fruits grown locally. See how many different colors you can find, and how many of the seven species are available to pick or buy (Deuteronomy 8:8 enumerates these: "A land of wheat and barley and vines and fig and pomegranates a land of olive oil and [date] honey").
The desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. (Isaiah 35:1-2)
Go for a walk around the neighborhood or in the woods! Collect wildflowers and other colorful flowers and fruit to make a centerpiece for your holiday meal, or take pictures of fruits and flowers and create a special Shavuot collage. You may wish to write (in English or Hebrew) one of the biblical quotations above on a large piece of paper, and then decorate the border with wildflowers, leaves, or juice from deep colored berries.
More family Shavuot ideas at My Jewish Learning.
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