Shavuot: Decorating with Greenery

Someone told me on Shavuot that some people are against painting the shul green … Is this true?

Shalom!

Thank you for your question!

I have a suspicion, based on the timing and context of your question, that you meant to ask why some people are against DECORATING a shul green on Shavuot. In case you are indeed asking about PAINTING, I will tell you that there are no color restrictions for a synagogue sanctuary.

But assuming that you were asking about the custom of decorating the synagogue with greenery on Shavuot, yes, it is very widespread. But there are indeed those who don't subscribe to the custom. This opposition is based on Rabbi Eliyahu of Vilan, known as the Vilna Gaon, who famously opposed the custom due to its similarity with a Christian holiday practice although some explain that the Gaon only forbade trees due to the similarity with a Christian holiday but not grass, plants, or other greenery.

Nevertheless, most authorities encourage decorating with greenery in honor of Shavuot and there are a number of reason for the custom. One reason is that the Midrash says that when the Torah was given, Mount Sinai, and the surrounding desert, sprouted trees and other greenery in honor of the occasion. Some say that this is actually alluded to in the Torah when God tells Moshe not to allow animals to graze anywhere near Mount Sinai. If it was pure dessert there wouldn’t be anything for the animals to graze! So perhaps this is a hint that there was greenery every in honor of the occasion.

Another reason for greenery on Shavuot is because the trees and other fruit producing plants are “judged” on Shavuot regarding the quantity and quality of the fruits that they will produce in the coming year. Similarly, the holiday of Shavuot is also known as "Chag Habikkurim," the holiday for the offering of the first fruits. Decorating our surroundings with trees and other plants reminds us of the mitzva connected to the fruits. There are other reasons, as well.

It is worth mentioning that there is a lesser-known Shavuot custom to decorate the home and synagogue with roses based on the verse "k’shoshana bein hachochim" (Shir Hashirim 2:2) which calls the Jewish people "a rose among thorns" for them having accepted the Torah while the other nations of the world didn’t want to.

Maharil, Minhagim Shavuot ; Leket Yosher, Vol. 1 p. 150; Rema, OC 494:3; Levush 494:1; Magen Avraham 494:5; Mishna Berura 494:9,10; Chayei Adam 131:13; Aruch Hashulchan, OC 494:2,6