Jonah and the Whale On the afternoon of Yom Kippur, while many families are resting at home before coming back to synagogue for the concluding service of Neilah, the Book of Jonah is read. Everyone knows about Jonah and the whale. But the Book of Jonah, says a lot more about Jonah and G-d than [...]
Since the first of Elul, more than a month before Yom Kippur, all of the customs, traditions, introspection, prayers, even foods, have been a kind of dress rehearsal for Yom Kippur: the day Jewish fate is sealed. Preparation for Yom Kippur begins the day before: Atonements: The ancient custom of Kapparot, or atonements, used to [...]
There must be a reason why so many Jews who do not observe other Jewish holidays and customs, put everything on hold for Yom Kippur. What is so special about this holiday that stops Jews in their tracks and makes them take off work and school, freeing themselves of all other commitments, until the holiday [...]
Yom Kippur, the Sabbath of Sabbaths, is observed the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, September or early October in the secular calendar. The first Yom Kippur took place after Moses returned from his second trip to Mt. Sinai with the replacement set of tablets containing the Ten Commandments. He had broken the [...]
The stories associated with Jewish holidays are well known. They are the stuff of books and movies. However, they are not all just for children at bedtime. They have lessons for everyone who reads and discusses them. The purpose of this section is to mention the most famous and some not so famous, in the [...]
Your spiritual journey begins in Elul, the Hebrew month preceding Rosh Hashanah which is usually the beginning of September. During Elul it is custom to blow the shofar, the ram’s horn, in the synagogue, during weekday services. The shofar, the most visible symbol of Rosh Hashanah, is a reminder of the animal that was sacrificed [...]
Rosh Hashanah, the first of the Jewish High Holy Days, is unlike other religious, ethnic or cultural New Year celebrations. For example, the first of January, the most famous of all new year celebrations, is marked each year by elaborate parties, music, food, countdowns till midnight and toasting. And, while Jews around the world celebrate [...]
Rosh Hashanah, which literally means the head of the year, commemorates the anniversary of the creation of the world. It is celebrated on the first and second days of the seventh Hebrew month, Tishri. Depending on the solar calendar, Rosh Hashanah occurs in September or October. Rosh Hashanah, when all living things are judged, is [...]
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