Why Do We Eat Cheesecake on Shavuot?

Shavuot is one of those Jewish holidays that sometimes flies under the radar — it doesn’t have a fancy seder like Passover or a huge build-up like Chanukah. But don’t let that fool you. Shavuot is low-key one of the most powerful and meaningful holidays in the Jewish calendar. And yes, it also happens to be the time when eating cheesecake is basically a mitzvah (okay, maybe not literally, but it’s definitely a beloved tradition). So let’s break it down.

What Even Is Shavuot?

Shavuot (which means “weeks” in Hebrew) comes seven weeks after Passover. It marks the day when the Jewish people stood at Mount Sinai and received the Torah. Imagine that — millions of people witnessing lightning, thunder, and hearing the voice of God giving the Ten Commandments. Total spiritual mic drop.

While other holidays celebrate freedom (like Passover) or miracles (like Chanukah), Shavuot celebrates something even more essential: purpose. The Torah is what gave the Jewish people our identity, our values, and our mission. It’s kind of like the “user manual” for life that helps us become our best selves and make the world a better place.

So… Why Cheesecake?

Great question. Shavuot is known for dairy foods, and cheesecake is the undisputed champion. But why dairy in the first place?

Here are a few meaningful (and delicious) reasons:

1. Torah Is Like Milk: The Torah is compared to milk in the Song of Songs (4:11): “Milk and honey are under your tongue.” Just like milk nourishes a baby, the Torah nourishes our souls.
2. No Kosher BBQ Yet: When the Jewish people received the Torah, they suddenly had tons of new kosher laws — including how to properly prepare meat. With no kosher kitchens yet, they went for dairy meals instead. Cheesecake for the win!
3. The Land of Milk and Honey: Shavuot is also an agricultural holiday, connected to the first fruits (Bikkurim) brought to the Temple. Israel is described as a land “flowing with milk and honey,” so eating dairy is a way to celebrate that.
4. Numerical Fun: The Hebrew word for milk, חלב (chalav), has the numerical value of 40 — the same number of days Moses spent on Mount Sinai. Coincidence? Probably not.

What Does It Mean for You?

You’re probably not standing at the foot of a mountain hearing God’s voice, but Shavuot is still your moment. It’s about reconnecting with the Torah — not as an ancient book, but as a living guide to modern life. It’s a time to ask yourself:

• What does it mean to be part of a people with a 3,000+ year-old story?
• How can I grow my own Jewish identity?
• What kind of impact do I want to make in the world?

And hey, if you think that sounds intense, try studying some Torah late at night until the wee hours of the morning (a tradition called “Tikkun Leil Shavuot”) with your friends — powered by cold brew and cheesecake, of course.

Final Bites

So yeah, Shavuot is more than a dairy buffet. It’s a celebration of our spiritual DNA — our values, our voice, our vision. Whether you’re learning a new Torah idea, going to shul, or just grabbing a slice of cheesecake and reflecting, Shavuot invites you to level up.

Cheesecake is sweet. Torah is sweeter. Happy Shavuot!

If you want to learn a little more about why we eat dairy on Shavuot check out NCSY’s infographic on the subject by clicking here.