Shofar and Blessings

Daily Blessings

It is often said of Judaism that it is less a faith than it is a way of life. For Judaism enters into all aspects of our life. This is seen best in the numerous blessings which are said on different…

Traditions

Netilat Yadayim - Ritual Hand Washing

"Netilat yadayim" is the Jewish word depicting the religious washing of hand with the help of a cup.

Traditions

True Blue

It is very common to associate the color blue with the Jewish people. It is on the flag of Israel which was influenced by the prayer shawl commonly worn during prayer in Jewish congregations which…

Traditions

Torah Reading

The custom of reading from the Torah on Saturday mornings is so old that it is difficult to be certain when it first started.

Traditions

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

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

Traditional Jewish Housewarming Gifts

When a Jewish family moves into a new home, relatives and friends can bring housewarming gifts that honor their Jewish traditions and culture.

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

Pointing to the Torah

When reading sometimes it is helpful to have something to guide us so we don’t skip a line of text.

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

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

History of the Mezuzah in 60 seconds

Why do we hang a mezuzah? Find out in 60 seconds.

Traditions

The Maccabeats and Netanel Hershtik Join the World in Making Havdallah

Thousands of Jewish communities around the world came together for Havdallah. Watch Netanel Hershtik and the Maccabeats capture the mood of a Jewish world ignited.

Traditions

Candles

Candles are very special in Jewish tradition because they are said to represent the light from the menorah used in the tabernacle. Candles are burned for various special occasions in Judaism.…

Traditions

Sha'Atnez

Sha'atnez is the term used for clothing made with a mixture of wool and linen fibres. This mixture is clearly forbidden in two places in the Torah. In Deuteronomy it states: You shall not sow your…

Traditions