Unforgettable Shavuot: 10 Historical Events

1. On the 21st of Sivan, the Israelites journeyed from Kibroth Hattaavah to Hazeroth in the desert, where Miriam the prophetess was afflicted with leprosy for speaking against Moses. After seven days, Miriam was healed, and the people continued their journey.

2. Nearly three thousand years ago, on Shavuot, the tenth son of Jesse was born in Bethlehem. His name was David. Though initially rejected by his family and sent to tend flocks far from home, when the prophet Samuel sought Jesse's sons, David wasn't immediately summoned. Nonetheless, Samuel anointed him as king on Hashem's command, and David went on to save Israel from its enemies, unite the nation, and prepare for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. David, who died exactly at the age of 70, also passed away on Shavuot.

3. Around two thousand years ago, ten great sages were executed by the Romans, including Rabbi Judah ben Dama. The Midrash recounts: "As Rabbi Judah ben Dama was about to be executed, it was the eve of Shavuot. Rabbi Judah requested of the emperor to delay for just a bit so he could fulfill the commandments of Atzeret and sanctify, praising Hashem who gave us the Torah. The emperor, enraged by Judah's continued faith, ordered him dragged through Rome tied to a horse's tail, then cut into pieces. Elijah the prophet gathered his remains and buried them near a river outside Rome."

4. In the year 1420, around Shavuot, a false accusation spread in Enns, Austria, claiming a prominent Jew desecrated the Christian "Holy Bread." Archduke Albert V ordered the arrest of all Austrian Jews, executed 270, and expelled the rest. Fifty years later, Emperor Frederick III rescinded the decree.

5. On the 20th of Sivan 1171, the Blois blood libel occurred, resulting in over 30 Jews being burned at the stake. Leading rabbis of France, including Rabbeinu Tam, who passed away shortly after, declared this day a public fast, stating in letters to communities that this fast should exceed the Fast of Gedalia, akin to Yom Kippur. This fast was observed in Ashkenaz for many years.

6. On the 13th of Sivan 1881, French legions invaded the ancient Jewish quarter of Worms, a historic Jewish settlement in Europe. The invasion stemmed from the Nine Years' War involving Louis XIV and William of Ireland, with Jews bearing the brunt. The French destroyed the Jewish street and expelled the Jewish inhabitants.

7. A year later, in 1690, on Shavuot, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Hasidic movement, was born in Okop. The Baal Shem Tov illuminated the world with his teachings and deeds and passed away on Shavuot 1760, in the town of Medzhybizh, where he is buried and where his study hall remains today.

8. On May 24, 1749, Shavuot of 1749, Count Potocki, who converted to Judaism and took the name Abraham ben Abraham, was executed in Vilnius for his conversion, forbidden by the Christian religion. Presented with a choice to recant or be burned alive, he chose to die sanctifying Hashem's name.

9. On the 4th of Sivan 1948, a ceasefire was declared in Israel's War of Independence. The UN mediator achieved a truce in the fighting; Jews and Arabs agreed to halt attacks, and territories captured by the Jews remained under their control.

10. On the 12th of Sivan 1991, May 24–25, Operation Solomon took place, rescuing Ethiopian Jews and bringing them to Israel. In just 36 hours, 14,310 Jews were airlifted on special flights from Ethiopia to Israel, utilizing 18 C-130 Hercules aircraft, Boeing 707s from the Israeli Air Force's 120 Squadron, 23 El Al planes, and one Ethiopian Airlines aircraft. The operation was named after King Solomon, who was said to have met the Queen of Sheba.