• Home
• Jewish Life
• Traditions

Traditions

Welcoming the Sabbath at the Western Wall

Shabbat (Sabbath) at the western wall in Jerusalem.

Traditions

Jewish Guide to Shiva Practices

 Shiva is a weeklong mourning period following the burial of an immediate relative in a Jewish family

Traditions

Haftarah

הפטרה (Haftarah), the name given to the reading from the Prophetic books which follows the Torah reading.

Traditions

What to Expect at a Jewish Funeral

This is part of a short series on personal conduct at a Jewish funeral.

Traditions

Schlep

Apart from its definitive meaning and use, this schlep video is a parody of Uber and Lyft taxi services.

Traditions

The Jewish Calendar

LUNAR-SOLAR CALENDAR The Jewish calendar is based mainly on the phases of the moon; but it also regulates itself to a lesser degree by the sun. God said let…

Traditions

Tsitsit

The custom of putting Tsitsit, fringes or tassels, on the corners of garments originates in the biblical commandment:

Traditions

Alms (Tzedakah) Box

The Hebrew word "tzedakah" derives from the biblical word "tzedek" meaning righteousness or justice. Helping those in need is not merely responding with…

Traditions

Mitzvah

Have you done a mitzvah today? A mitzvah is a good deed, something done to benefit someone else without any selfish motives attached to it. It is doing a favor…

Traditions

Archie Bunker Does Shabbat

Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton as Archie and Edith Bunker from All in the Family sit down to Shabbat dinner with the blessings over the candles, wine and…

Traditions

613 Mitzvot

The basic concept in Judaism relating to practice is the Mitzva, a commandment from HaShem.

Traditions

How to Make Kiddish

Kiddush, like candles, sanctifies the Sabbath. Making kiddush is a simple religious act that sanctifies the Jewish Sabbath, making it distinct from the six…

Traditions

What is a Get?

A get is a divorce under halacha, or Jewish law. The word can also refer to the document that grants the get, though its technical name is sefer k'ritot, or…

Traditions

Shofar and Blessings

Shofar and Blessings by Mishkanim.

Second Day of Festivals

Once the Beth Din had evidence that the new moon had been seen, (see FIXING THE CALENDAR) a new month was declared to have started, and people would know when to observe festivals.

Traditions

Challah

Bread plays a very important role in Jewish tradition. In the Torah when Holy visitors come to visit Abraham we read, “Abraham hurried to the tent where Sarah was and said to her, ‘Hurry, prepare…

Traditions

Women Wearing a Tallit!

Is it permissible for a woman to wear a Tallit? Many Orthodox authorities rule it out because they claim that it is a positive commandment at a fixed time16. and women do not have to observe such…

Traditions

Tanach

The Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Tanak contains 39 books divided into 3 sections. The word TaNaK is an acronym: “T” for Torah, N for navi’im, the Hebrew word for prophets, and K for k’tovim,…

Traditions

Jewish Tradition, Pomegranates, and Golden Bells

You may have noticed that pomegranates are often portrayed in Jewish art in decorations for candle holders, plates, and other kinds of Judaica.

Traditions

Welcoming the Sabbath at the Western Wall

Shabbat (Sabbath) at the western wall in Jerusalem.

Traditions

What are the Top Eight Jewish Foods?

Humans are partial to food to begin with, and Jewish culture is no different – plus Judaism has many unique foods in its culture.

Traditions

What to Expect at a Jewish Funeral

This is part of a short series on personal conduct at a Jewish funeral.

Traditions

Tallit

A tallit is a prayer shawl. Tallitot (plural of tallit) are rectangular in shape and have fringes called tzitzits at the four corners.

Traditions

Kaddish

There are several Jewish traditions surrounding the death loved ones. We say the mourner’s kaddish. It is not a mournful dirge, but rather praise to the Giver of Life. Mourners tear their garments,…

Traditions

A Stone to Remember

Many cultures have different ways of dealing with death. One Jewish custom is to place a stone on the grave of someone who died.

Traditions

What is a Get?

A get is a divorce under halacha, or Jewish law. The word can also refer to the document that grants the get, though its technical name is sefer k'ritot, or scroll of severance. The sefer k'ritot is…

Traditions

Minyan

In many Jewish synagogues a minyan is required for public prayer times. A minyan is a group of at least 10 Jewish men over the age of 13 years old. A minyan is not required, of course, for personal…

Traditions

Jewish Wedding Rings

Even though we have modernized we still hold some sacred old traditions dear amongst the Jewish community. Jewish wedding traditions are one such old tradition that is still held to this day.…

Traditions

Mitzvah

Have you done a mitzvah today? A mitzvah is a good deed, something done to benefit someone else without any selfish motives attached to it. It is doing a favor without expecting anything in return.…

Traditions