#Judaism
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Can Prayer Really Change Your Reality?
Our very own Queen Esther teaches us that while practical actions are necessary to succeed in any endeavor, spiritual efforts have the real impact in drawing down God’s blessings.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Elder Of Ziyon - Even Selichot prove you cannot separate Judaism from love of Zion
Blogging about Israel and the Arab world since, oh, forever.
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
Vandals’ Prank at UC Berkeley Spurs Kosher Awareness Event
Rohr Chabad Center seizes the opportunity to educate community about kosher
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Foundational Rosh Hashanah Text Released Online
Prepare for Rosh Hashanah on a spiritual front!
Miscellaneous | Judaism
5 Ways the High Holidays of 2023 Are Unique
The 2023 High Holidays feature a full week of Selichot, and Rosh Hashanah over a weekend.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
What Can the Hebrew Word for “Parenting” Teach You?
The Latin word parente, the origin of the English word parent, means to bring forth, to give birth, or to produce, highlighting the physical role parents play in the creation of a child.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Rosh Hashanah: What’s It Really All About?
How the Jewish New Year is celebrated and what it tells us about every human being and our relationship to God.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
The 96-Year-Old Survivor Who Did a Last (and First) Mitzvah
The younger of the two boys shared a story. “You know, it seems very quiet now, but this past Friday I experienced the greatest moment of my life.”
Miscellaneous | Judaism
17 Rosh Hashanah Facts Every Jew Should Know
Brush up on basic facts, traditions, and more associated with the Jewish New Year.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why Are Tefillin Square?
The Talmud gives no actual reason but the Kabbalah provides clues.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
20 Amazing Converts to Judaism You Should Know - Chabad.org
Throughout history the Jewish nation has been enriched by
converts—upstanding men and women who opted to enter the covenant and become
part of the Chosen Nation.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Life
The Mystery Convert of Jerusalem
The Rabbinic Controversy of Warder Cresson's Circumcision.
News | News
Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig – In Judaism, BOTH Sides Can Be Correct
Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig – In Judaism, BOTH Sides Can Be Correct Tisha B’Av is now behind us – a historical debacle (actually several) borne of serious disagreements between Jewish camps that led to internal civil war and ultimate loss of soverei
Miscellaneous | Judaism
18 Tisha B'Av Facts Every Jew Should Know
It is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Is Tisha B’Av?
Why do we mourn on Tisha b'Av? A historical overview and a digest of the day's laws.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
I’m a Chassidic Woman, Here’s My Story
My life is a balancing act. I don’t see the two halves of myself as contradictory.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why On Earth Do We Need a Third Temple? - Chabad
The Third Temple is not a building, but a state of harmony between God, humanity, and nature.
News | News
Jonathan Sacks – The Complexity of Human Rights MATOT-MASEI
Jonathan Sacks – The Complexity of Human Rights MATOT-MASEI The book of Bamidbar comes to a close that is very strange indeed. Earlier in the parsha of Pinchas we read of how the five daughters of Tzelophehad came to Moses with a claim based on just
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Is Kosher? - Chabad
What do you know about kosher? What makes some foods kosher, and what does kosher mean? Get the answers here!
Politics | Opinion
The Unpredictable Consequences of Dodging a Bullet
From the blog of Leonard Grunstein at Jewish Standard
Miscellaneous | Judaism
The Rebbe Writes to George Bush About July 4th - Chabad
"It is well to remember that
the founders of this Nation considered Independence Day as 'a day of
deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to G‑d Al-mighty'"
Miscellaneous | Judaism
21 Talmud Facts Every Jew Should Know
The bulk of the Talmudic texts contain analysis of Biblical verses and Torah law, but it’s interspersed with everything from medical advice to stories, from folk sayings to fabric dying tips.
News | News
Tsvi Bisk – Are The Haredim Not Authentic Jews
Tsvi Bisk – Are The Haredim Not Authentic Jews In the Mishnah Yehoshua ben Perachia says, “Make for yourself a Rav. Maimonides (the Rambam) and the Maharal both explain that the Mishnah is careful to say “make” for yourself a teacher, not to
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Judaism's Stance on Gender Is Clear, Despite Attempts To Rewrite Torah
Judaism teaches that G-d Created male and female so that they might partner with Him in creating a next generation.
Miscellaneous | Miscellaneous
What Is Tikkun Olam? - What does Tikkun Olam mean, who came up with it, and how do I do it? - Chabad.org
Tikkun Olam: In Jewish teachings, any activity that improves the world, bringing it closer to the harmonious state for which it was created.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
18 Facts About the “12 Spies”
Moses sent 12 spies to Canaan; 10 gave negative reports, causing 40 years of wandering.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
The Menorah: Its Story and Mystery
Explore the design, positioning, lighting rituals, and rich symbolism.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How I Made it Through the Talmud - Chabad
It took over eight years, but I complelted all 2,711 pages of the Babylonian Talmud.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Is there anything wrong with taking animals from the wild and confining them to restricted living quarters. In other words, are zoos “kosher”?
It could well be that their goal in visiting the zoo was not (only) for simple entertainment or leisure, but to be able there to marvel at the wondrous creation of Hashem’s world.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Who Made G-d? - The Classic Jewish Answer in Clear Modern English
The Creator of all boundaries is unbounded by any definition. Otherwise, He too would require a creator.
News | Articles By Me
Priority: Jewish Unity
Just before this year’s Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), a horrifying, and not at all surprising, report came out of Tel Aviv University (TAU) called “The Annual Report on Antisemitism Worldwide–2022.” The study found that there were roughly 3,700 attacks on Jews in the United States last year. The year before that, 2021, saw 2,717 attacks. Each set a record for attacks on our people. The incidents included beatings, being spat on, having objects thrown at people, verbal abuse, etc.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Is the Significance of a Rainbow in Judaism?
It is a beautiful and colorful aspect of G‑d’s world, but it’s also a reminder of tragedy. We are taught not to stare at it, but we do make a special blessing when it appears in the sky. Let’s see what the Torah has to say about the rainbow.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Are Tefillin?
What are we to make of this ancient Jewish ritual and what do they mean to us today?
Miscellaneous | Judaism
11 Shavuot Myths and Misconceptions
Ready to challenge some things you think you always knew? Let's go!
Miscellaneous | Judaism
May the Morning Shema Be Recited All Day?
Analysis of the argument that kriat shema may be recited the entire day.
Miscellaneous | Chabad
The Rebbe’s Lag BaOmer Message of Hope to Soviet Jewry
The 1980 Russian-language address that took the world by surprise and placed the Soviet regime on notice
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How the Universe Came to Be: Torah and Science
Religion is often accused of explaining a scientific discovery after the
fact. But the record on how the universe came to
be presents a different sequence of events.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Life
Lag BaOmer in Israel a Demonstration of Jewish Unity
People of all backgrounds and political persuasions to join in festive holiday events
Miscellaneous | Jewish Life
17 Facts About Ashkenazi Jews - Chabad
Rooted in France-Germany, Ashkenazim are the largest stream of Jewish people today, with unique customs, culture, language, and history.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Life
Elder Of Ziyon - R' Soloveitchik on Yom HaAtzmaut, 1968
Blogging about Israel and the Arab world since, oh, forever.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Chabad Lubavitch: The Rebbe’s Lesson From an IDF Emblem
Official homepage for worldwide Chabad-Lubavitch movement that promotes Judaism and provides daily Torah lectures and Jewish insights. Chabad-Lubavitch is a philosophy, a movement, and an organization. Chabad is considered to be the most dynamic force in
Miscellaneous | Judaism
18 Facts About Rabbi Akiva - Chabad
Akiva started at the very beginning, learning the Hebrew alphabet alongside his son, and went on to be foremost rabbi in the post-Temple era.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why Do We Wrap the Tefillin Straps 7 Times Around the Arm?
Many reasons for a most basic custom
Miscellaneous | Jewish Life
Jews Around the World to Complete Study of Maimonides’ Works
42nd study cycle concludes April 22, with major celebrations also taking place on Lag BaOmer
Miscellaneous | Judaism
10 Songs in Jewish History
The Midrash tells us that there are 10 songs of praise (shirot) in the history of our people, culminating with the song of the Final Redemption.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What the 10 Plagues Teach Us About Dealing With Difficult People
Expressing anger not only hurts others but destroys the person who is expressing anger.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
The One Super Simple Thing to Do Before Passover!
Selling chametz is an important and easy part of Passover
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How Moses Saved Egyptian Civilization
Wherever your soul has taken you, there must be something of profound value that you uncovered there.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
In The Zechus of Moshe Rabbeinu
Later at night I got a phone call from my younger sister that lives up north in Israel. She wanted to talk to me about an incident that happened between us, which she felt she had never really asked f
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Pesach: What’s Up With the Mnemonic Detzach Adash Be-achav?
The three words, attributed to Rabbi Judah, we say while spilling wine at the Seder, teach deep insights about the 10 plagues.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Q&A: How the Jewish Holidays Can Be a Valuable Tool for Growth
With the Season of our Freedom approaching, it’s a good time to remember that we have everything we need packed inside of us. We can leap over our hurdles and reach our goals—all we need to do is take that inner potential that G‑d gives us and expand it into all its possibilities.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Is Meditation Kosher? - And if so, why aren’t we doing it? - Chabad
Is it possible to be a good Jew, do mitzvahs, study Torah and pray to G‑d without ever thinking too deeply about who He is and what’s my relationship with Him?
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Where Did Moses Get His Staff & What Happened to It?
Moses’ staff figures prominently throughout the story of the Exodus from Egypt and our ancestors’ subsequent sojourn in the desert. But Scripture doesn’t tell us the history of the staff.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
17 Jewish Calendar Facts - Chabad
The Jewish calendar is the structure upon which all Jewish holidays are based. It follows the lunar cycle, which means that the year is comprised of 12 lunar months (of approximately 29.5 days each).
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Should We Use Gender Neutral Language for G-d?
Judaism has been understood as the effort to reunite the feminine and masculine aspects of God.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Total Transformation: The Shema Prayer Meditation - Chabad
While the prayers preceding the Shema are important, it is the Shema prayer itself that transforms the animal soul into loving G‑d.
Politics | Opinion
What the rioting left fails to see
The attempted criminalization of Israel and Jews will continue even if the judiciary’s power is limited.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
It Took Years, and I’m Finally Proud to Be Jewish
I found out I was Jewish when a girl on my street told me I was a “dirty Jew.”
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Chabad: Purim Backwards
On Purim, it’s a mitzvah to hear the story of Esther read from a scroll—called a “megillah”—both by day and by night.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why Purim Isn't The Jewish Halloween
Purim tells a story of the victory of life. Halloween contains an awful lot of the opposite.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Purim: 14 Facts About Mordecai
Mordechai was the leader of the Jews and cousin of Queen Esther, his co-hero in the Purim story.
Miscellaneous | Chabad
The Tehillim App You’ve Been Waiting For!
Kehot Publication Society and Chabad.org have released a new app that makes “saying Tehillim” easier than ever.
News | Israel Around The World
Ancient Book of Esther scrolls salvaged from Turkey earthquake rubble
A local elder of Antakya, Turkey's Jewish community handed the scrolls over to ZAKA rescuers, who are working on transporting them to safety.
News | News
UNPACKED: Watch-Unsafe Spaces: When Being Jewish Means You Don’t Belong
UNPACKED: Watch-Unsafe Spaces: When Being Jewish Means You Don’t Belong Everyone knows that Israel is a tough subject, but something has been changing recently. In the past, Jewish students were openly attacked for defending Israel but now they are
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Tu BiShvat in a Minute - Chabad
When’s the last time you wished a tree Happy New Year? The 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat is a great opportunity. It’s known as Tu BiShvat, the New Year for Trees.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Is the Authentic Ancient Hebrew Alphabet? - Ketav Ivri vs. Ketav Ashurit
I recently read about some ancient writings that were in a
script called Proto-Hebrew, which the Jews supposedly used to write in before
the current Hebrew script.
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
ARMED | The story behind the launch of the Rebbe’s Tefillin Campaign
A riveting and unprecedented cinematic experience, ‘Armed’ tells the fascinating story of the launch of the international tefillin campaign. Featuring newly ...
Miscellaneous | Jewish Life
Wearing tefillin may prevent damage from heart attacks
“This is a potential game changer for how we approach cardiovascular disease prevention,” says Dr. Jack Rubenstein.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How Do Mezuzahs Work? - Chabad
How on earth does a parchment scroll with Hebrew inscriptions increase your personal safety? Here is how the great rabbis understood it.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
How Much Is G-d Involved in Our Lives?
Our journey has value—not merely as a means to a greater end, but in and of itself.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
20 Maimonides Facts You Should Know
1. He Was Born Into a Prestigious Spanish Family
Maimonides was born circa 1135, in Cordoba, in the Andalusia region of Spain. His family traced their ancestry to the compiler of the Mishnah, Rabbi Yehudah HaNassi, and through him, to King David.1 Encouraged by his father—a judge on the Cordoba rabbinical court and a student of the famed Ri Migash—he pursued studies in Jewish law, philosophy, and medicine.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Jewish Wisdom: Joseph's Message - Vayigash
It was not enough for Jacob to discover that Joseph was still alive physically. He needed to hear that he was also alive spiritually.
News | Abortion
Abortion Is Not a Jewish Sacrament
“Our Jewish brothers and sisters,” squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explained during a recent rant, “are able to have an abortion according to their faith.” Many religions...
Miscellaneous | Judaism
12 Facts About Judah Every Jew Should Know
Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. Compared to a lion, Judah was the ancestor of the royal House of David. He made mistakes and rectified them, blazing a path for others to follow.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Antisemitism: Why the Jews?
Over the centuries, numerous “reasons” have been advanced to explain the phenomenon of Antisemitism. But perhaps there is no reason!
Miscellaneous | Judaism
6 Lessons From Jacob’s Wrestling With the Angel
We also wrestle with spiritual doubts and conflicts.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
What Does Jacob’s Ladder Symbolize?
Jacob’s simple ladder foreshadows the trajectory of human development.
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
The Mutating Virus: Understanding Antisemitism | Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
"The hate that begins with Jews never ends with Jews." On 27th September 2016, Rabbi Sacks delivered a keynote address entitled 'The Mutating Virus: Understa...
News | News
Howard Epstein – GOOD DEAL OR BADDIEL?
Howard Epstein – GOOD DEAL OR BADDIEL? Call me hypersensitive if you will, but I have an visceral aversion to anyone who says (worse, writes) “f**k Israel”. It’s bad coming from a gentile, it’s delusional from a Jew and utterly bizarre in th
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
My Strategy for Avoiding Drowning in Stress
When I leave the ark of my morning prayers, it’s a beautiful world—one that I can work with and add light to.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
Battling My Eating Disorder, Day by Day - Dealing with Challenge
I have an eating disorder.The doctors call it anorexia nervosa, but I resent being put in a box with a nice little label.
Miscellaneous | Sukkot
I Never Thought I’d Have My Own Sukkah - Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah & Simchat Torah
That diffident child peering through the fence at her neighbors never dreamed that when she grew up, she would one day have the joy of sitting in her own sukkah year after year.
Miscellaneous | Sukkot
14 Sukkah Facts Every Jew Should Know - Sukkot & Simchat Torah
The sukkah is the space where we spend as much time as possible during the holiday of Sukkot. Covered with organic material, it reminds us of God's kindness in generations past and in the present times.
Politics | Leftists & Antisemitism
Leftists Most Likely To See Judaism As 'Incompatible' with French Values
Those on the left are far more likely to believe that Judaism is not compatible with French values, while being the most positive about Islam.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
18 Empowering Contemplations For Rosh Hashanah - Thinking about what it is and what we do with it - High Holidays
18 memes and contemplations for Rosh Hashanah. Illustrated.
News | News
UNPACKED: Watch – When Did Judaism Become a Religion?
UNPACKED: Watch – When Did Judaism Become a Religion? Throughout the ages, people have debated whether Judaism is a religion, a culture, or a nationality…and where Israel fits into the mix. In fact, the Jewish experience encompasses all of these.
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
In the US, some fading Reform and Conservative synagogues go Orthodox to stay afloat
Chabad Hasidic outreach programs reverse decline and bring growth to congregations through a host of programming designed to foster a more traditional community
News | JEWISH COMMUNITY
In the US, some fading Reform and Conservative synagogues go Orthodox to stay afloat
Chabad Hasidic outreach programs reverse decline and bring growth to congregations through a host of programming designed to foster a more traditional community
Miscellaneous | Judaism
The Not-So-Dead Sea Scrolls
How the Dead Sea Scrolls, considered by many to be the most significant archaeological discovery of the 20th century, speak to Jews in the 21st century.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Jews Worldwide to Celebrate Mystical Spring Holiday of Lag BaOmer
Day also marks 41st annual completion of Mishneh Torah and Sefer Hamitzvot
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Passover: Who Authored the Passover Haggadah?
The Haggadah evolved over time, starting from the Second Temple period until it reached its present form.
Miscellaneous | Purim
Shushan Purim - Why Jerusalem celebrates a day later
All cities that were walled at the time when the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, entered Canaan, observe Purim on the 15th. This results in the occasional unique phenomenon of a “triple” or three-day Purim.
Miscellaneous | Purim
Thousands of Ukraine Refugees in Europe and Israel Take a Joyous Break For Purim
Late on Tuesday, Miriam Moskovitz, a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary to Kharkov, Ukraine with her husband Rabbi Moshe Moskovitz, received a text from a woman in her community and a photo of fresh-baked hamantaschen.
News | News
Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig – Towards the End of Conservative Judaism?
Prof. Sam Lehman-Wilzig – Towards the End of Conservative Judaism? Conservative Judaism in America is in deep trouble with several recent news items illustrating just how ominous the situation has become. How did it get to this position? And does it
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Sinai: Were the First Tablets a Mistake? - Guest Columnists - Parshah
Why were the first set of tablets given with such fanfare?
Miscellaneous | Judaism
17 Facts About Moses Every Jew Should Know
Moses was born in Egypt during the enslavement of the Jews. His parents, Amram and Yocheved, were from the illustrious tribe of Levi.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
The Moses Connection - The Daily Dose of Jewish Wisdom
“Command” in Hebrew is tzivah, which also means “connect.”
History | History
How the Science of Racism Led to the Holocaust - The war against the divine image in man
Can the world survive on ethics devised by human reason? Well, we tried. It’s called the 20th century.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
13 Facts About Jewish Leap Years - Jewish Calendar
The Hebrew leap year ensures that the Jewish calendar remains true to the solar cycle
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Understanding After Doing - The Daily Dose of Jewish Wisdom
At Sinai, we declared, “We will do and we will understand!”
Angels descended from heaven and placed two crowns upon our heads.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
12 Women Who Impacted Torah Scholarship
Culled from the span of Jewish history, from the Talmudic era to pre-war Europe
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
Women First - The Daily Dose of Wisdom
When it came time to give the Torah to the Jewish people, G‑d told Moses to speak with the women first.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why Did G-d Smite the Firstborn? - Parshah
Our job is to find the divine sparks hidden within each person, each object and each event, and let that shine.
News | News
UNPACKED – The Modern Shift That Divided Judaism | The Jewish Story
UNPACKED – The Modern Shift That Divided Judaism | The Jewish Story As the Age of Enlightenment spread across Europe, 18th-century Jews still faced persecution and were banned from assimilating into modern civilization. A young Jewish German philoso
Miscellaneous | Judaism
When Do Jewish Boys Begin to Wear Their Tallit? - And why do some Ashkenazim wait until after marriage?
The answer to this question really varies depending on your ancestry and/or community custom. Allow me to share some information...
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Do Jews Really Believe In Reincarnation?
Every descent of the soul into this world has a specific Divine purpose. This is the case whether it is the soul’s first descent or a subsequent reincarnation. There are many aspects of gilgul haneshamot—reincarnation of the soul—that are complex and intricate beyond the scope of this response. However, to understand the general purpose for reincarnation, we can look to the three reasons outlined by Rabbi Yeshaya HaLevi Horowitz, as provided by the Kabbalists, in his classic work Shnei Luchot HaBrit (Shaloh).1
News | News
UNPACKED – The Origins of Hasidic Judaism: The Ba’al Shem Tov
UNPACKED – The Origins of Hasidic Judaism: The Ba’al Shem Tov In the aftermath of historical events that impacted Jews of Eastern Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, two groups rose up that inspired generations of Jews to revolutionize the
News | News
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l – 8 Short Thoughts on Hanukkah
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l – 8 Short Thoughts on Hanukkah H/T Aish.com 1. Inspired by faith, we can change the world Twenty-two centuries ago, when Israel was under the rule of the empire of Alexander the Great, one particular leader, Antiochus
Miscellaneous | Chanukah
Were the Maccabees Wrong to Fight? - Chanukah
When we kindle our Chanukah candles each year, the light that glows is the spirit of faith and determination of the Maccabees.
News | News
UNPACKED – Watch Why So Many Jewish Teens Study This Ancient Music Notation
UNPACKED – Watch Why So Many Jewish Teens Study This Ancient Music Notation Ta’amei Hamikra, or as it’s called in Yiddish, “trope,” is a millennia-old system of music symbols that determines how each word in the Torah is recited. Alth
News | News
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYISHLACH:RESTORING THE BROTHERLY LOVE OF YAAKOV AND ESAU
RAV KOOK ON PARSHAT VAYISHLACH:RESTORING THE BROTHERLY LOVE OF YAAKOV AND ESAU “וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח יַעֲקֹ֤ב מַלְאָכִים֙ לְפָנָ֔יו אֶל־עֵשָׂ֖ו אָחִ֑יו אַ֥רְצָה שֵׂעִ֖יר שְׂדֵ֥ה א
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
Jewish Wisdom: Mothering Teens Is Harder Than I Thought - Vayishlach
On the one hand,
I saw myself traveling, working long hours, being busy with a busy career; on
the other hand, I always had this desire to be a mommy.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Judaism: Why Is the Contemporary Prayer Book So Long?
During the days of the First Temple, no formal prayer was needed.
News | Jewish Community
An American Rapper and a Soviet Child: Parallel Journeys of Return
My childhood could not have been more different from that of Nissim Black.
Miscellaneous | Chanukah
Chabad: Chanukah Basics
The Chanukah story, Chanukah observances, Chanukah FAQs and the menorah lighting procedure in succinct form -- with a plethora of links that lead to the unabridged version...
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Uncertainty, Unknowability, and Free Will in Kabbalah and Quantum Mechanics - Torah & Science
Developments in the physical and biological sciences over the last two millennia have, in the minds of many, challenged the belief systems of the major Western religions. Consequently, many Jews and others longing to understand the nature of reality and the meaning of human existence have been lured away from their faiths in a quest for more ‘objective’ truths.
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
Learning From Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks - Jewish Life
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, who passed away on Shabbat, 20 Cheshvan, 5781, was an international religious leader, philosopher, and respected moral voice. The author of over 30 books, he served as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013 and took his seat in the House of Lords in October 2009.
News | News
UNPACKED – How The Protestant Reformation Affected Jews
UNPACKED – How The Protestant Reformation Affected Jews In the early 16th century, life for the Jews remained unstable as they faced violence perpetrated by the Catholic church. After years of devotion, Martin Luther sparked one of the largest revol
News | News
UNPACKED: Maimonides: The Philosopher Rabbi – The Jewish Story
UNPACKED: Maimonides: The Philosopher Rabbi – The Jewish Story Every day, tens of thousands of students study the Mishneh Torah, The Guide for the Perplexed, and dozens of medical works written by Rambam, also known as Maimonides, one of the most fa
News | News
UNPACKED: How a 500 Year Old Book Shaped Jewish Practice | The Jewish Story
UNPACKED: How a 500 Year Old Book Shaped Jewish Practice | The Jewish Story At the dawn of the 16th century, both Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews relied on oral traditions of Jewish law – Halakha. Both groups passed down their own unique customs. Howeve
News | Jewish Community
Avraham Fried: 'With a good word and a good message a singer can save a soul' - Israel National News
Watch: 'Real Talk' - with hasidic singer Avraham Fried.
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
Anti-Semitic Attacks in 2020 Outnumbered Attacks Against Muslims, Asians, Transgender People Combined
More American Jews suffered hate crime attacks in 2020 than Asians, Muslims, and transgender people combined, according to FBI crime tracking data.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
How a Rock Song Started Me on My Journey
thank the Byrds for their introduction to a lesson in Kohelet, Ecclesiastes.
Miscellaneous | Sukkot
10 Tips for an Amazing Sukkot @ Home - Sukkot & Simchat Torah
You can create an over-the-top joyous Sukkot at home, one to
remember fondly long after the pandemic has been relegated to the dusty annals
of history.
Miscellaneous | Sukkot
13 Facts About Sukkot Every Jew Should Know - Sukkot & Simchat Torah
Sukkot is a weeklong festival celebrated by dwelling in the sukkah, taking the lulav and etrog and joyous feasting.
Miscellaneous | Sukkot
How to Build a Sukkah - The basics of building a sukkah and living inside it - Sukkot & Simchat Torah
This sukkah guide will lead you through the fun mitzvah of building and dwelling in a sukkah—from the permitted and required components in its structure, to the basic rules of living in the sukkah.
Miscellaneous | The High Holidays
14 Tips for an Amazing Yom Kippur at Home - High Holidays
Many of us will be celebrating Yom Kippur alone. Here are our pro tips to making your at-home Yom Kippur meaningful and memorable.
Miscellaneous | Chabad
5781, The Jewish Year in Review: A Year of Overcoming Adversity, Rebuilding and Recovery
The stories that shaped the past 12 months.
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
Why Do We Dip the Apple Into Honey on Rosh Hashanah? - High Holidays
Why not mangoes dipped in maple syrup, for example?
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
What My Mother, the ‘Mikvah Lady,’ Taught Me About Chassidic Feminism - Celebrating Jewish Womanhood
Celebrating femininity is celebrating the Divine.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
Criticized by Family Members for Becoming Religious
They think that the laws are stupid and separate me from them. And sometimes, I think that they’re right! I feel so alone and it makes me question the journey that I am on.
Miscellaneous | The High Holidays
Why Is Rosh Hashanah Before Yom Kippur? - Is it possible we've gotten these holidays all wrong?
Maybe we’ve got everything 100% wrong. Because if we’re thinking the holidays are backward, it’s likely we’ve got their meanings backward.
Miscellaneous | Chabad
A Short History of Bringing Shofar to the Streets
The first mitzvah campaign to bring Judaism to the individual, wherever he or she was
Miscellaneous | Chabad
Glimpse Into Rebbe’s Holocaust Correspondence Discovered in a Basement
Leonard Holtz found an archive of letters in a shoebox. Then he and his wife gave it to the Chabad Library
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Why the Jewish People Await Moshiach - Parshah
There’s a secret reason the Jewish people have always wanted Moshiach, and that reason is very relevant to your life, right here, and right now.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
Mayim Bialik: Common Myths About Orthodox Judaism--Debunked!
Karin Brooke’s post on Kveller about losing her daughter to religious fundamentalism struck a chord with me for a few reasons. First, I am technically a baal teshuvah–a person who took on Jewish observance later in life. I struggled a lot in college rega
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Must One Honor Abusive Parents?
There are many kinds and levels of abuse, and different people can cope with and tolerate different situations and relationships.
News | Israel & The Jewish Community
‘The Almighty Helped Me to Survive’: A Marine’s Tale From the Pacific Theater
When Bernard (Baruch) Haller enlisted in the United States Marines in 1941, he had two goals: to serve his country and to survive. To accomplish these goals, he knew that he’d need the help of a Higher Power. And so Haller, known to friends as Bernie, vowed then and there never to eat non-kosher meat and never to miss a day of tefillin.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
How Did the Mission of the Twelve Spies Go So Wrong?
Moses felt that the Israelites had no reason to fear the inhabitants, as they had all seen the great miracles wrought against the much more powerful Egyptians.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Is Midrash for Real? - Part 1 in a series on the truth behind Talmudic tales
Torah, like any wisdom, has departments. You can’t study literature the same way you study biology, and you can’t critique poetry as you would journalism. So too, you can’t study one department of Torah the same as you study another.
News | News
Mel Alexenberg – MIT Artist and YU Rabbi Explore Art in Judaism
Mel Alexenberg – MIT Artist and YU Rabbi Explore Art in Judaism In Memory of Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm z”l, President and Chancellor of Yeshiva University, on his first yahrzeit on 8 Sivan I am sharing here my dialogue with Rabbi Lamm in December 1
Miscellaneous | Judaism
13 Facts About Learning Torah - Mitzvahs & Traditions
Torah study occupies a central place in Jewish life, but how much do we really know about this activity?
Miscellaneous | Judaism
9 Facts You Should Know About Mount Sinai - Shavuot
Mount Sinai is where G‑d Himself descended and struck a deal with His chosen people.
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
Healing Body and Soul - Daily Dose of Jewish Wisdom
Your body and your soul fuse together as one. Nothing happens in the soul that is not reflected in the body. And nothing happens in the body that doesn’t deeply affect the soul
Miscellaneous | Jewish Wisdom
Thinking Healthy - Daily Dose of Jewish Wisdom
The Baal Shem Tov taught, “Where a person’s thoughts are, that’s where he is, all of him.”
Miscellaneous | Judaism
10 Facts About Pesach Sheini Every Jew Needs to Know
If someone was unable to participate in the Passover offering at
the proper time, they would offer the sacrifice a month later.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Torah Study: Does It Matter Which Words Rashi Quotes?
See how a nuance in a simple one-line Rashi can be examined, unpacked, and understood in an entirely new light.
Miscellaneous | Judaism
Is It Wrong to Like a Lot of Stuff? - Parshah
Is it OK to
enjoy a good shopping spree and to delight in yet another Amazon box at your
doorstep?
Miscellaneous | Kashrut
Are Bottom Feeders Kosher Fish?
There is a commonly held belief that where a fish lives determines whether it is kosher. Is this the case?
