Exploring Judaism - The Digital Home for Conservative Judaism

The holiday of Sukkot is called "the time of our joy!"

High Holiday Movie Guide

As we work our way through the High Holidays, including Sukkot, seek inspiration through watching some movies. These will get you thinking, reflecting, and celebrating this holiday season.

Holiday Bites: High Holidays

The Holiday Bites Podcast episodes are about unpacking the ideas of the Jewish holidays. This series is all about the High Holiday season from Elul through Simchat Torah.

Watch the episodes

The Yamim Noraim, known as the High Holidays begins with the start of the Hebrew month of Elul. Then, the spiritual marathon continues through Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and more.

Shabbat is the weekly day of rest, rooted in the story of creation and the Exodus from Egypt, celebrated starting Friday evening at sundown and ending Saturday night.

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What is Exploring Judaism?

Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative Judaism.

Exploring Judaism is the home for Torah that embraces the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning and learning. There is always something to learn and explore.

Exploring Judaism seeks to help people find explainers on subjects they wish to learn more about, practical guides on how to observe Judaism, and reflections on how to make life more meaningful.

Our approach is rooted in Conservative Judaism and in the ideas that Judaism grows with us, that we’re guided by process, and that there is beauty in the balance.

Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah

Just the Tip of the Etrog

Just the Tip of the Etrog

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How to Shake the Lulav and Etrog

Jewish Halloween: Hoshana Rabbah

Jewish Halloween: Hoshana Rabbah

Read additional “Sukkot” posts »
Read additional “Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah” posts »

We Reclaimed Two Jewish Wedding Customs and You Can Too

May15

We Reclaimed Two Jewish Wedding Customs and You Can Too

Emily Jaeger LGBTQ+ Lifecycles

There are many Jewish wedding customs out there, finding the right ones for you can help you explore the more subtle emotions of the event.

May15

Connecting with God Through Prayer

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 15, 2023 Every Day Prayer

We hear from God through our participation in liturgical prayer, and also through the study of religious texts.

May11

What is a Tallit?

Rabbi Dr. Karen Reiss Medwed, The Observant Life (Book) May 11, 2023 Accessories for Prayer Every Day

The tassels of the Tallit, called tzitzit (or tzitzis) in Hebrew, are explicitly intended to serve as a reminder of God’s commandments.

Apr28

How Can I Create a Kosher Kitchen

Rabbi Paul S. Drazen, The Observant Life (Book) April 28, 2023 Every Day Guidelines for a Kosher Kitchen

While daunting and labour intensive to transform a non-kosher kitchen into a kosher one each individual step is rather straightforward.

May30

Jewish Obligations of Parents to Children

Rabbi Daniel Nevins, The Observant Life (Book) May 30, 2023 Family Halakhah

When speaking about family, there is a wide variety of opinions and also a variety of obligations of parents, situations and relationships.

Weekly Torah Portion Posts

Parashat Haazinu Study Guide: The Pangs of Transition

Parashat Haazinu

Study Guide: The Pangs of Transition

the moon is always female

Parashat Bereshit

The Moon is Always Female

Parashat Haazinu Haftarah: From Moses to David

Parashat Haazinu

From Moses to David

Read additional “Torah” posts »

Non-Fasting Sh"tz on Yom Kippur

Non-Fasting Sh”tz on Yom Kippur

How to Keep Your Lulav From Getting Gross

How to Keep Your Lulav From Getting Gross

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How to Shake the Lulav and Etrog

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Exploring Judaism is a home for the Torah of Conservative Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. There is always something to learn and explore.

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