Dive into the Hebrew Bible with insights into its stories, teachings, and timeless relevance. Explore key passages, themes, and interpretations that have shaped Jewish belief, ethics, and spiritual life for generations.
The word Shalom comes from the root letters Sh-L-M, as in Hebrew grammar, a trilateral root can take on all sorts of different meanings depending on the inserted vowels and so on. People in the English speaking world will likely be familiar with ‘Shalom’ as a greeting, and maybe even know that it can be […]
As Mother’s Day approaches, we explore the long Jewish tradition of honoring one’s mother, what is uniquely Jewish about a day devoted to the women who raise us, and meaningful ways to honor your own mom. Mothers in Judaism One of the most famous of the Biblical commandments is to “honor your father and mother,” […]
Wine is significant in Judaism in large part as the basis for making a blessing for Kiddush on Shabbat, Jewish holidays and most lifecycle events. Wine is also the typical drink of Jews, traditionally speaking, as it is said to gladden one’s heart and is seen as the final, perfected form of grapes. Grapes are […]
Shabbat Kiddush is one of the most recognizable and beloved mitzvot among Jews of all ages and backgrounds. With a rich history and colorful traditions, new and old, there are unending ways to enrich the Kiddush experience. Learn more about the origins and practices!
The type of Jewish prayer that may stand out the most is tefilla, also commonly discussed with the Yiddish word ‘daven’, is the sort of prayer one does in a synagogue, three times daily. This is laid out in a siddur (prayer book) with each time of day Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv / Aravit, or […]
Questions to Inspire Discussion at the Seder Table Some people find that going through the Haggadah leaves all the talking to the leader. Print this out and get your friends, children, and relatives talking about Torah with these questions. None of these have only one answer. Some answers have been provided at the end. 8 […]
Having a sense for how the Haggadah came to be will give a richer, more thoughtful experience at the Seder table. After all, between the numerous different steps and readings from the Haggadah, it might start to feel completely random without knowing the origins. Even if you’ve been reading the Haggadah every Passover of your […]
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 […]
Jewish tradition is surprisingly romantic, with lots to say about love and relationships. So in honor of the upcoming secular holiday of romance, we’ve rounded up our favorite passages on love from the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud, and other books of Jewish wisdom. Read on to be inspired, and make sure to share with your beloved! 1. […]
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, 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 […]
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 […]
Rosh Chodesh, meaning “Head of the Month” in Hebrew, is a minor Jewish festival observing the start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar. It’s also a holiday commonly associated with women, with special customs and celebrations to honor women’s unique roles in Judaism. Origins of Rosh Chodesh The Hebrew Bible establishes the practice of […]
In the famous story of Noah’s Ark, God destroys all the people and creatures on Earth via a massive flood, sparing only Noah and his family and the animals they took with them in their ark. Noah was warned of the Earth’s impending destruction and instructed to build a giant wooden ark, along with precise […]
The Torah begins with the story of the Creation of the world – the chapter and book known as Bereishit or Genesis. God creates the Heavens and the Earth, and each day adds something new, from vegetation to celestial bodies to fish, birds, and animals, until concluding on the sixth day with the forming of […]