Shabbat Shekalim: The Shabbat before the month of Adar officially welcomes the Purim season. This special Shabbat is called Shabbat Shekalim, Hebrew for the Sabbath of Shekals (an ancient form of Israelite money.) Shabbat Shekalim is honored with the reading of an additional Torah portion dedicated to tzedakah, giving charity, a mitzvah associated with Esther. [...]
The Menorah: Candles are lit on a menorah, or Chanukiah, in Hebrew. A kosher menorah must have space for eight candles all lined up in a straight row. All eight candles must have the same height. A ninth, extra, space must be raised above the other eight candle branches. So, the fancy candelabra you may [...]
The Sukkah The Sukkah is a temporary structure, referred to as a booth, in which we are supposed to eat our meals during the week of this harvest festival. It is constructed of four walls and covered with a roof of tree branches. If you don’t have already existing walls, the sides of a house [...]
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 [...]
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