Jewish Life
Judaism and the Jewish Community – How They Have Influenced the Modern World
Judaism is an ancient religion dating back to thousands of years ago as documented in old Jewish writings. It is in fact one of the oldest religions to survive the present day. Because of this, Jewish traditions and culture have inspired other religions like Christianity and Islam. The many facets of Judaism have affected the modern society in terms of ...
Read MoreSpanish Jews
Spanish Jewry goes back to at least 965 BCE, the time of the Roman Empire and era of King Solomon. Jewish history has felt a lot of sufferings and persecutions throughout time, and the events that took place in the Spanish Inquisition should be remembered as one of the most cataclysmic and darkest events in the history of the Jewish ...
Read MoreThe 7 Jewish wedding blessing
These Blessings are very important part of a traditional Jewish wedding celebration. The 7 blessings were taken and adapted from ancient rabbinic teachings, it starts with the blessing said with a goblet of wine, and ending with the traditional breaking of a glass to remember that even during the happiest moments of their life, they must remember and mourn the ...
Read MoreThe Farbrengen: Planning for a Joyous Chassidic Gathering
Wondering how to host a Farbrengen? A farbrengen (joyous gathering) is a Chassidic gathering that involves discussions of Torah concepts, lively music and a lovely meal. Here’s how to plan for a special Farbrengen.Plan the venue. Choose a bigger venue to make sure that you have enough space for unexpected visitors.Look for a speaker. Schedule a good speaker who is ...
Read MoreHow to Kosher Meat
Back in the old days, the process of koshering was done at home, most of the time involving all members of the household in the different steps. Nowadays, koshering a meat is usually done in butcher shops. However, some Jewish families still choose to kosher their meat.Koshering is the process of slaughtering meat following the regulations of the Jewish Halakhic framework. ...
Read MoreHow to Prepare Your Own Jewish Wedding Program
Jewish wedding programs are a great way to outline the events of your wedding. The program is specifically important if you have guests who are non-practicing Jews or if you have an interfaith wedding. It will guide your guests to unfamiliar rituals incorporated in your wedding. Here’s how you can create your own Jewish wedding program:Research about the different elements ...
Read MoreThe “Jewish Christmas” Dilemma – Understanding the Significance of Hanukkah
Oftentimes, Hanukkah is associated with the celebration of Christmas. Many believe that Hanukkah and Christmas are two similar celebrations mainly because they are celebrated at almost the same time and because Hanukkah is called the Festival of Light.Some Jewish parents are tempted to turn Hanukkah into a holiday that’s similar to Christmas. This can lead to confusion and loss of ...
Read MoreUnderstanding Jewish Family Laws
The basic laws pertaining to Jewish families are primarily based on the teachings of the Torah. Judaism acknowledges the family as the basic building block of society. Jewish traditions emphasize the importance of the parents’ roles in guiding their children through their religious, emotional, educational and material needs. Orthodox Judaism follows more strict family guidelines while those in modern movements ...
Read MoreDealing with Anti-Semitism
The Jewish community has endured years of discrimination since the beginning of Jewish history. Since ancient times, Jews have been persecuted and even punished for refusing to adapt to the principles and doctrines of the non-Jewish society.In a modern world where anti-Semitism is said to be a thing of the past, acts of oppression still exists. Many Jews around the ...
Read MoreFasting the Last Minute?
Fasting is not just a Jewish tradition that should be followed. To fast is a humbling act of respect to God. There are many fast days that you will observe in Judaism. Some fast days last for 25 hours while others last for less than a day only. It is important to prepare for these fast days by living a ...
Read MoreHow to Dispose a Damaged Torah Properly
The Torah is one of the most sacred objects in the Jewish religion. The highest ideal of all Jews is Torah study. Unlike ordinary books, a damaged Torah cannot just be thrown away. It should be treated with respect and buried in a cemetery.Seek the advice of an expert sofer to determine whether the scroll can still be repaired. You ...
Read MoreHow to Live Jewish in a Non-Jewish Community
Judaism is a way of life. Being situated in an area where your chance to practice your Jewish orientation is limited should not stop you from upholding your Jewish upbringing. Here are a few tips to help you maintain your Jewish identity.Continue to practice family traditions and customs. Being away from your Jewish roots should not stop you from living ...
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