Traditions

Car 54 Where Are You? - See You at the Bar Mitzvah

On March 3, 1963, television viewers were treated to an episode of the comedy Car 54, Where Are You? entitled “See You at the Bar Mitzvah.

Traditions

Ha Tikvah: Does Israel's National Anthem Mean Hope for All?

This video presents a brief history of the controversial origins of the national anthem of Israel – the HaTikvah (The Hope).

Traditions

Engaged? Jewish Traditions Before a Wedding

Seven Jewish customs and traditions observed before marriage.

Traditions

Burial vs Cremation: A Jewish Perspective

A discussion of traditional versus current trends regarding burial is presented.

Traditions

Tfillin

T'fillin, or phylacteries, are square black boxes traditionally worn on the head and arm.

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…

Elon Gold: Why The Jews Are Better Off Without Christmas Trees

A little holiday comedy to kick off the season. Comedian Elon Gold explains why Jews are better off without Christmas Trees

Traditions

The Cantor

Music is very important in Jewish life and has a significant role in the worship services. Because of this a special person known as a cantor (sometimes also referred to as a chazzan) is put in…

Traditions

Shabbat Candles

One of the most well known Jewish customs connected with the observance of Shabbat (the Sabbath) is the lighting of lamps or candles before sunset on Friday night.

Traditions

The Name

Throughout the ages the Jewish people have been extremely careful to honor the name of God. Some won’t even spell the whole name in order to avoid dishonoring it.

Traditions

Mixing Matters

"...You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk." Deuteronomy 14:21 Many take this verse to mean it isn't kosher to have meat and dairy in the same meal, or even have milk and meat in the…

Traditions

Haftarah

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

Traditions

Americans Try Israeli Food for the First Time

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

Bar Mitzvah

When a young boy reaches the age of thirteen he is termed a bar mitzvah, which literally means a son of commandments or son of good deeds. For girls the term is bat mitzvah. It is at this age that…

Traditions

The Bar Mitzvah and Jewish Tradition

The word Bar Mitzvah (spelled בר מצוה in Hebrew) means "one to whom the commandments apply".

Traditions

Western Wall

The Western Wall is the western portion of the retaining wall of the Temple Mount where the Temple stood. The Hebrew for Western Wall is ha-Kotel ha-Ma'aravi, although it is usually called simply…

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

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

Where did Jewish Headcovering Traditions Come From?

Today we may recognize some traditional Jewish garments such as prayer shawls and kippahs, which are used to cover the head of the worshiper during prayer.

Traditions