The Jewish holiday that occurs seven weeks after the start of Passover is Shavuot, whose name means “weeks” in Hebrew. It marks the completion of the Counting of the Omer, a seven-week period linking the two festivals.
The count traditionally begins on the second day of Passover and lasts 49 days, with Shavuot arriving on the following day. This is why the holiday is also associated with the number 50 and was called Pentecost by Hellenistic Jews. Calendar explanations can sound different because the Torah’s wording about when to begin counting was interpreted differently by various Jewish groups.
Shavuot has both agricultural and religious significance. In the biblical Land of Israel it was connected with the wheat harvest and first fruits. Rabbinic tradition also identifies it as the anniversary of the Israelites receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. Common customs include all-night Torah study, reading the Book of Ruth, and eating dairy foods.