Jewish How-To
How to Play Dreidel for Hanukkah
Dreidel is a traditional Jewish game usually played during Hanukkah. Its name is derived from the four letter letters found on its four-sided top. It is a Hebrew acronym for ‘Nes Gadol Haya Sham’ which means ‘a great miracle happened there,’ when translated to English. Playing Dreidel is easy. Here’s how:Gather some people to play Dreidel with. Any number of ...
Read MoreHow to Say the Three Hanukkah Blessings
Lighting the Hanukkiah (Hanukkah Menorah) is the highlight of the Hanukkah celebration. The Menorah is lit every night during the week-long celebration of Hanukkah. This ritual is done to commemorate the ancient Jews’ victory and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the temple.All family members should be present when lighting the Menorah. Before lighting the ...
Read MoreTips in Decorating for Hanukkah
Hanukkah is an important Jewish holiday. It is the time when Jews commemorate the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the lamp that burned for eight days. All Jewish families celebrate this holiday and decorate their homes. Some basic Hanukkah decorations are the Menorah and dreidel. Below are additional decorating ideas to give your home a more festive feel.Decorate ...
Read MoreHow to Observe Hanukkah Traditions
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights has a number of traditions observed by Jews. These traditions add more meaning to the celebration of Hanukkah.A Menorah is lit on every night of Hanukkah in remembrance of the ancient Jews’ victory over the Syrians. Light the Shamash (center candle) on the first night of Hanukkah. Using the Shamash, light the ...
Read MoreLighting the Menorah for Hanukkah
Lighting the Menorah is a primary ritual done during the celebration of Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights. A Hanukkah Menorah is a candelabrum with nine branches. It is mitzvah (commanded by God) to light a Hanukkah Menorah each night for 8 days to recollect the Maccabees’ victory and the sacred oil that lit for 8 days at the holy ...
Read MoreBreaking the Yom Kippur Fast Safely
Yom Kippur is the day in which Jews ‘afflict their souls,’ and one way to do this is to abstain from eating and drinking. The fast starts at sundown, at the eve of Yom Kippur and ends the following night. After fasting for a day, it is best to eat a light meal. Returning to your normal eating pattern after ...
Read MoreHow to Construct a Sukkah in Celebration of Sukkot
A sukkah is an important component in celebrating Sukkot. A sukkah is a hut made of branches similar to the Israelites’ dwellings while wandering in the desert for 40 years. Although custom-made sukkah can now be purchased online, a lot of people still prefer making their own.The first thing you need to consider in building your own sukkah is to select a ...
Read MorePractical Ideas in Decorating the Sukkah
Building a sukkah is an integral component in celebrating Sukkot. We entertain family and friends, enjoy our meals and do other activities inside the sukkah during the week-long festival of Sukkot. It is only right that we make our sukkah as inviting as possible.Build your sukkah. Choose sturdy materials for the walls to protect you from sudden change of weather. The roof ...
Read MoreHow to Observe Evening Kiddush in Celebration of Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah or the ’Jewish New Year’ is a festival which is observed on the first and second days of Tishrei. Rosh Hashanah marks the start of a 10-day period of prayers, reflection and repentance. Like other Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with various rituals and religious activities aimed at strengthening one’s spiritual devotion. A Kiddush (blessing of the wine) ...
Read MoreHow is Yom Kippur Observed
Yom Kippur, which is celebrated on the 10th day of Tishri (7th month of the Jewish calendar), is the holiest day of the year for Jews. Also known as ‘Day of Atonement,’ Yom Kippur is when Jews pray and reflect on their spirituality. Jews believe that each person’s fate for the coming year is recorded into a ‘book’ during Rosh Hashanah and ...
Read MoreConforming to the Five Prohibitions of Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement is one of the most sacred of the Jewish holidays. It is in this day that Jews spend their entire time to prayers, fasting, and reconciliation. There are five prohibitions that one needs to observe during Yom Kippur. These prohibitions are aimed at reducing the focus on one’s personal needs and concentrating on ...
Read MoreHow to Observe Sukkot
Sukkot, also known as ’The Feast of Tabernacles,” is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. Sukkot is considered a Festival of Rejoicing. It is during this time that Jews remember the Israelites who wandered through the Sinai desert for forty years. Sukkot is a time to celebrate and be thankful for everything that God has ...
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