Jewish Life
How to Choose a Judaica Gift
A Judaica gift is a great option for weddings, Bar or Bat Mitzvah and other Jewish occasions. Here are a few tips in purchasing Judaica items:It is important to determine how much you are going to spend for the gift. Judaica gifts can sometimes be expensive so it is important to set your budget ahead of time.As with other kinds ...
Read MoreThe Karpas Ritual
The Karpas ritual (a vegetable which is dipped into salt water or vinegar) is part of a traditional Passover Seder. This symbolic ritual has many explanations as to why it is done. The vegetable is said to represent the humble beginnings of the Jewish people. The salt water symbolizes the tears shed by the Jewish people from the oppression they ...
Read MoreSatisfying Your Sweet Tooth: Jewish Choco Babka
Jewish Choco Babka is a sweet treat for Jewish holidays. The kids will surely enjoy this dessert filled with cinnamon or melted chocolate. Babka is of Eastern European Jewish origin and is made of yeast dough baked in a high loaf pan.For this recipe, you will need half a cup of warm water, half an ounce of dry yeast, five ...
Read MoreThe Jewish Bread: A Symbol of Life
Bread has long been part of the Jewish table. Bread has been a part of Jewish tradition, playing an important role in Jewish cuisine for over a thousand years. Jewish breads have also been part of sacrificial offerings during the days of the Temple.The challah or hallah is special Jewish bread which is traditionally served on Shabbat. The challah is ...
Read MoreBirkat Hachama: The Wonder of God’s Creation
According to Jewish belief, the sun was created on the fourth day (Tuesday or Halachic fourth day). Birkat Hachama (Blessing of the Sun) refers to a special Jewish blessing said to show appreciation of the sun as it completes its cycle every 28 years on a Tuesday at sundown. It is believed that the sun returns to its position when ...
Read MoreHanukkah Menorah
The Hanukkah menorah or Hanukkiyah was inspired and influenced by the lamp known to the Jews as ner tamid, (A Ner Tamid is an eternal lamp. Ner is a light, and Tamid is eternal that hangs above the ark in every synagogue) which came with the famous story of the rededication of the Temple after the successful Jewish revolt against ...
Read MoreThe Origin of Maoz Tzur
As a kid, my mother would usually usher us into the table, light the menorah and everyone sings the Maoz Tzur. I have always wondered why of the many Jewish songs, we choose to sing Maoz Tzur during the holiday so I’ve made a little research of this famous Jewish song and its significance to the celebration of Hanukkah.It is ...
Read MoreGifts for a Jewish Engagement Party
A Jewish engagement is an important Jewish event in a to-be-married couple’s life. The engagement party usually follows after the Te’naim (signing of a pre-Ketubah contract which sets out the terms of marriage). A Jewish engagement party is a good time to bring together the families and friends of the bride and groom. The party can be a great avenue ...
Read MoreHealthy Jewish Cooking
Food plays an important role in Jewish tradition. Jewish cuisine is best known for its richness and influence from different cultures. Most Jewish food served nowadays are rich in fat which when consumed in large amounts can pose many health risks. Judaism requires us to maintain good health. In Deuteronomy 4:15, God commands us to be extremely protective of our ...
Read MoreMeat Matzo Pie for Passover
The matzo pie is a favorite dish cooked for Passover. You can use leftover chicken or lamb from the Passover Seder. For this recipe, we will be using leftover chicken.You will be needing one cup of chopped onions, two tablespoons of olive oil, sliced white mushrooms, nonstick cooking spray, minced garlic, one julienned carrot, one teaspoon of dry tarragon, a ...
Read MoreHanukkah Blessings
Hanukkah is a holiday celebrated for eight days to commemorate the victory of Judah Maccabees over King Antiochus IV of Syria thousands of years ago. It came with the famous story of the miraculous jar of oil that should have lasted for a day, but burned for eight days.How to Recite the Three Hanukkah BlessingsLighting the Hanukkah menorah before sundown ...
Read MoreJewish software
Founded in 1300 BC, Judaism is one of the oldest religions still in existence today. It began as the religion of a small nation of Jewish people in Mesopotamia (modern- day Iraq) led by Abraham, and through thousands of years of suffering, deaths, persecutions, and expulsions, it fought its way to survive and found to be a profoundly influential religion ...
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