Discover the meaning, traditions, and customs behind Jewish holidays throughout the year. From major festivals to lesser-known observances, learn how each occasion is celebrated, its history, and its relevance in modern Jewish life.
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 […]
What to Eat, and Not to Eat, on the Seder Plate Anyone who has been at the Passover Seder knows that the food items—for the most part—are not only symbolic, but also to be ingested. This means that the significance of each item is both stated during the Seder, as well as tasted. The […]
You might have heard of the quirky tradition of adding an orange to the Passover Seder plate or elsewhere on the table. Find out where this custom comes from and what it means! Orange on the Seder Plate As we explored in our Seder Plate Meaning & History post, the Passover Seder plate is likely a few hundred […]
We know that finding chametz-free desserts to please the whole family during Passover can be a challenge, so we’ve rounded up our 4 favorite recipes – flourless and easy to make, and still decadently delicious! 1. Coconut Macaroons You can never go wrong with this famous Passover classic – coconut macaroons! Sweet and scrumptious, they’re […]
What makes a kiddush cup? Does it have to be a specific material? Can any cup be used as a kiddush cup? Read on for everything you need to know! What makes a Kiddush Cup A kiddush cup is used for the kiddush ritual: sanctification prayers that are said over wine or grape juice at the start of shabbat and
Are you prepared for the Passover Seder? Give yourself time to find the perfect Pesach Seders items. The holiday will be here before you know it. You may also be looking for the best in kosher for Passover wines, and Israeli treats. Keep checking back at our ever-expanding repertoire before the holiday!
Havdalah is a way to start the week off on a strong spiritual footing. It may be difficult to feel as connected to Torah during the week as it is on Shabbat, with all the free time to see friends and family, eat delicious kosher food, pray and learn Torah. Havdalah acknowledges Shabbat or a […]
A key component of the Passover Seder, and one particularly beloved by children, is the hiding and subsequent searching for the afikoman. But what is the meaning behind this quirky tradition? What is the afikoman, and why do we put it in an afikoman bag and hide it? All About the Afikoman The afikoman is a piece of matzah that
The Hanukkah holiday season may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on festive meals with family and friends, full of delicious foods and fancy tableware – we have shabbat every week! Warm up this winter and make every weekend memorable for your family with this menu of 7 scrumptious shabbat […]
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 […]
Most positive mitzvahs (commandments) are associated with a bracha (blessing): lighting candles or saying kiddush over wine on Friday night for example. This also includes some necessary activities that are not commanded per se, such as eating food and safe travel or using the bathroom, for which we still thank G-d with a bracha either […]
There’s no denying that Christmas has become a global, industrial-scale phenomenon, and so the source of dilemma for many Jewish people and other minorities in the West: to what extent to join in or even be accidentally included? However, Christmas is not a Jewish holiday by any stretch. Many Jewish businesses in the last century […]
Hanukkah lasts a total of 8 days, and on each evening one lights an extra candle so by the end of the holiday the menorah should have 8 flames. In the original history, the Jewish liberators of Jerusalem rededicated the Holy Temple that had been desecrated with Greek pagan practices. The process for this needed […]
1. Dreidel Of course, we have to start off with the classic Hanukkah game, dreidel! Legend says that during the Greek occupation of the Holy Land which outlawed Torah learning (and led to the rebellion from which we get our Hanukkah origins), Jewish children learned in secret and would pull out a spinning top if […]