Up to Date: The Hebrew Calendar
Why do the Jewish holidays always change date year to year? How does the Rabbi figure out the bar mitzvah portion? There is an entirely separate Jewish calendar that is the basis for every Jewish holiday, birthday and anniversary, and the weekly Torah portion, (‘parasha’ in Hebrew), along with so much more. This is everything […]
Mezuzah Necklaces
People have been wearing Jewish amulets going back milenia. Some such items are worn as a commandment like tefillin, which comes from the word meaning ‘prayer’ but in the Torah are called word ot (sign), or zicharon (memorial), and as such are often translated as ‘amulet’. After all, an amulet is just a way to […]
Kiddush Cups: Everything You’ve Wanted To Know
Kiddush, means ‘separation’ from the same root as the Hebrew for ‘holy; distinguished’. It is said before the Shabbat meals Friday night and Saturday morning, as well as the other holidays. This is not be confused with kaddish, said in a synagogue service. You will also hear this word used for certain blessings that have […]
Names You Didn’t Know Are from Torah
Lots of popular names have biblical origins not intended as Hebrew names per se, whether hoping the child emulates those same good qualities or just because they are very pretty. No matter if your name you go by is shared with someone in the Torah or if it is from a completely non-Jewish culture, make […]
