How long is the Omer, and when does counting start?

The Omer is 49 days, counted nightly starting the second night of Pesach and continuing through the night before Shavuot.

Why do people avoid haircuts during part of the Omer?

Part of the Omer period is traditionally observed with mourning-related customs, including refraining from haircuts and live music, though the exact weeks and restrictions vary by community and family custom.

Lag BaOmer falls partway through the Omer count and is widely celebrated as a break from the period's mourning customs, often marked with bonfires, outings, and haircuts for young children.

Why do people eat dairy on Shavuot?

Eating dairy foods like cheesecake and blintzes on Shavuot is a widespread and long-standing custom, though the exact reason is explained differently across communities and traditions.

What is Tikkun Leil Shavuot?

It's the custom of staying up all night, or late into the night, learning Torah on the first night of Shavuot, observed in communities across the full range of Jewish backgrounds.

Shavuot & Counting the Omer: A Family Guide

Quick answer: The Omer is counted nightly for 49 days between Pesach and Shavuot, a period observed with varying degrees of mourning customs (many refrain from haircuts, music, or celebrations for at least part of it). Shavuot itself commemorates receiving the Torah at Sinai and is marked by dairy meals, all-night learning, decorating with greenery, and festive family gatherings.

Counting the Omer

Starting the second night of Pesach, many households and communities count the Omer each evening for 49 nights, leading up to Shavuot. A few practical notes:

The count is traditionally recited after nightfall; many people set a nightly reminder so as not to miss a night
Apps, wall charts, and counters are popular ways to keep track, especially with kids
If a night is missed entirely, there are different customs about whether and how to continue counting — a rabbi can advise

Mourning Customs During the Omer

Part of the Omer period is traditionally observed with certain mourning-related restrictions — commonly refraining from haircuts, weddings, and live music — though the exact weeks, and which restrictions apply when, differ meaningfully between communities and even between families within the same community. Lag BaOmer, a day partway through the count, is widely celebrated as a break in these restrictions, often with bonfires, outings, and haircuts for young children (a custom known as an upsherin in many communities). Because the specific dates and practices vary, it’s worth checking your own family or community’s custom rather than assuming one standard applies everywhere.

Looking for a Lag BaOmer bonfire, outing, or community event near you? Check Jewish Events for what’s happening locally, or Community Explorer to find nearby parks, shuls, and organizations.

Shavuot: Receiving the Torah

Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and is one of the three biblical pilgrimage festivals, alongside Pesach and Sukkot. Its main customs include:

An all-night (or late-night) session of Torah learning, known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot, popular in communities of every background
Dairy-based meals — cheesecake, blintzes, and dairy dishes are traditional, alongside the usual festive meat meals on the second day for those who observe two days
Decorating homes and synagogues with flowers and greenery, a custom tied to the holiday’s agricultural roots and traditions around Sinai
Reading the Book of Ruth, connected to the harvest themes of the holiday

Why dairy specifically is a matter of tradition and folklore more than fixed law, and different communities explain the custom differently — but the dairy meal itself is nearly universal across Ashkenazi and Sephardic households alike.

Planning a Family Shavuot

Between the late nights of learning and the dairy-heavy menu, Shavuot benefits from a bit of planning:

Stock up on dairy staples and cheeses a few days ahead — stores can run low right before the holiday
Plan a rest schedule if adults are staying up for all-night learning
Line up age-appropriate learning or activities for kids who won’t stay up all night
Pick up flowers or greenery for decorating if that’s part of your family’s custom

If your family is settling into a new home or looking for more space to host a Shavuot meal or learning group, Real Estate and Rentals can help. And if you or someone nearby could use help with holiday groceries or a place to go for the meal, Chessed connects neighbors year-round, not just for the fall holidays.

Community and Seasonal Work

Shavuot’s dairy focus and all-night programming keep local bakeries, cheese shops, and event spaces busy. If you’re hiring seasonal help or looking for holiday work, Jobs has local listings, and Add a Listing is a quick way to sell decorations, baked goods, or event supplies once the holiday passes.

A Simple Shavuot Checklist

Set a nightly reminder to count the Omer
Confirm your family’s Omer customs around haircuts, music, and Lag BaOmer
Plan a dairy-forward Shavuot menu
Line up Tikkun Leil Shavuot plans or kid-friendly alternatives
Check Jewish Events for local learning programs and Lag BaOmer events

By the HeimishMart Community Desk — HeimishMart is the community marketplace for Jewish homes, jobs, and local life across North America.