Jewish Life
How to Observe the Tradition of Sefirat HaOmer
Sefirah or Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Grain) is a Jewish tradition that lasts for 50 days. It is a period of mourning. It is during this time of the year that we symbolically count the process between the freedom of the Jews from slavery in Egypt and the granting of the Torah.Start counting. Refer to a Sefirah calendar to ...
Read MoreHow to Chant the Torah
Reading the Torah during Shabbat and other Jewish holidays is an integral part of a synagogue service. It is a great honor to read the Torah in the synagogue. Simchat Torah is celebrated annually to mark the completion of the year’s cycle of reading. Learning how to chant the Torah on your own can be overwhelming but with patience and ...
Read MoreThe Ritual of Urechatz During Passover
Jews usually perform the ritual of hand washing before eating a holiday meal and a blessing is recited after the ritual. During Passover Seder, this ritual is called Urechatz and no blessing is recited. Urechatz is done in preparation for eating Karpas, a vegetable dipped in salt water.Prepare a pitcher of water, basin and a towel before the start of ...
Read MoreHow to Say the Hallel for Passover
The Hallel is a Jewish prayer consisting of Psalms 113 through 118. It is recited during Passover and other joyous Jewish holidays. Hallel is usually recited after the Grace after Meals in the Passover Seder service.Recite the special Passover Hallel. The first two Psalms are sung before the Passover meal and the last two are sung after the meal.Lead the ...
Read MoreHow to Cook Cholent for Shabbat
Cholent or hamin is a traditional Jewish stew usually eaten for Shabbat lunch. This stew is prepared on a Friday and is simmered overnight. It is kept warm until eaten for Shabbat lunch by placing it on a hotplate or slow oven. The cholent’s basic ingredients are barley, onions, kidney and lima beans, large chunks of flanken, red potatoes, beef ...
Read MoreHow to Prepare the Shabbat Table
Shabbat meals are festive affairs involving discussions of the Torah and family conversations. It is also during Shabbat meals that members of the household bond. Setting the table for Shabbat can be a fun weekly activity for the whole family. Here are a few tips in setting up your traditional Shabbat table.Clean your table and cover it with a tablecloth. ...
Read MoreHow to Honor Miriam at the Passover Seder
A Miriam’s Cup is a Jewish ritual object that is placed on the seder table. It is said to symbolize Miriam’s well that provided water for the Israelites in the desert. Instead of wine, it is filled with water and is placed beside the cup of Elijah.Prepare for a goblet and put it beside the cup of Elijah on the ...
Read MoreJewish Wedding Traditions: Breaking the Glass
Breaking the glass is part of Jewish wedding ceremonies. This ritual often concludes the wedding ceremony. The groom stomps on a glass with his foot and the guests shout “Mazel Tov.” Several meanings are associated with the smashing of the glass during a Jewish wedding. Some believe that this symbolizes the fragility of marriage, while others believe that breaking the glass serves ...
Read MoreHow to Apply Reform Judaism Into Your Life
Reform Judaism is a branch of Judaism that believes in the modernization of Judaism and Jewish traditions and that it should be compatible with participation in the surrounding culture. This branch of Judaism believes that Jewish laws should be regarded as set of guidelines rather than list of restrictions.Join a local Jewish class in your area. Ask around for schedule of classes. ...
Read MoreHow to Apply Conservative Judaism Into Your Life
Conservative Judaism is a branch of Judaism that believes in the truthfulness of Jewish scriptures, but that these writings were transmitted to human and, therefore, have human component. Conservative Judaism views Halakha as binding yet emphasizes a non- fundamentalist teaching of the Jewish faith. To practice Conservative Judaism, you will have to study its foundations and beliefs.Engage in an in-depth study of ...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Roles of a Jewish Cantor
A Hazzan or Cantor is a person who leads the prayer in a congregation. Over the years, cantors have assumed a variety of religious roles in addition to leading the congregation in prayers.In addition to leading prayer services, a cantor is responsible for teaching the youth to lead the Shabbat services and to chant the Torah. He is also responsible ...
Read MoreThe Process of Obtaining a Gett
A Gett is a Jewish divorce document that should be obtained in addition to civil divorce to officially terminate a marriage. The Torah acknowledges the necessity of divorce in unavoidable circumstances. However, divorce is used only as last resort when all other options fail.As soon as you decide to separate, you should contact a Rabbi for advice on the process of obtaining ...
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