Bill Gates and Shabbat

Yiddish Part Two

Prior to the Holocaust, Yiddish, a language more resembling Middle High German than anything else phonetically, was widely spoken by 11 million people, not as a national language or local tongue, but…

Traditions

A Salty Jewish Tradition

The Torah says “And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your…

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

Engaged? Jewish Traditions Before a Wedding

Seven Jewish customs and traditions observed before marriage.

Traditions

The Origins of Cholent

Slow cooked stews dominated Saturday menus in Jewish homes for millennia, in every continent, period, and culture.

Traditions

Spiritually Uplifting End to Shabbat in Israel

Traditions

Holocaust Survivor Meets US Veteran After 70 Years

Traditions

Two Torahs?

Many understand the Torah to be the five books of Moses. And that is true but what many Jews call Torah is not the Torah but what is commonly referred to as the Oral Torah. The Oral Torah contains…

Traditions

Tsitsit

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

Traditions

Shofar

The shofar, made from a ram's horn, has been used by our people for thousands of years. The blowing of the shofar was used to call the people together for war and to call them to the Sanctuary for…

Traditions

Mekhitza-Jewish Tradition

A mekhitza is a dividing wall or barrier that is used to separate men and women. It could be simply a separate room, a curtain, or anything else that serves as a barrier. Many synagogues do not have…

Traditions

Havdallah

Havdallah means “separation” and is a service used to separate the holiness of the Sabbath from the rest of the week. It separates the day that God blessed from the regular workdays of the week. It…

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 other days of the week. It requires little…

Traditions

Jewish Guide to Shiva Practices

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

Traditions

Oral Law

Orthodox believe that at Mount Sinai, God gave to Moses not only the written Torah but also oral interpretations and laws as well. They believe that these oral laws were faithfully passed down…

Traditions