Final answer:
Jews decorate homes and synagogues with flowers and plants on Shavuot to reflect agricultural traditions, celebrate the harvest season, and create a festive atmosphere that connects them with their history and the giving of the Torah.
Step-by-step explanation:
Decorating homes and synagogues with flowers and plants on Shavuot has its roots in the agricultural history of the Hebrews. It is reflective of the agricultural traditions and the celebration of the harvest season. Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks, commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, which coincides with the wheat harvest in the Land of Israel. This festivity is marked by the reading of the Book of Ruth, which is set in the harvest fields, and the decoration with flowers and greenery to symbolize the bounty of the land.
In modern Jewish practice, this tradition continues as a way to create a festive and sacred atmosphere, connecting the historical agricultural practices with contemporary religious celebrations. Such decorations are also seen as a means to enhance the beauty of the place of worship and period of joyous celebration. The connection to nature and the cycle of the seasons serves to connect Jews with their history, the land, and their heritage.