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Tag: Holiday
Why This is the Year to Celebrate Tu B’Av
Tu B'av reminds that Jewish people join together in tragedy and in love and joy, helping explain why this is the year to celebrate it.
Rabbi Tracy Kaplowitz, PhD
August 8, 2024
Holidays
Tu B'av
Why Does Tisha B’Av Get So Much Play at Camp?
Tisha B'Av at camp is unlike anywhere else in the Jewish world. So why does Tisha B'Av get so much play at camp?
Sara Beth Berman (she/her)
July 26, 2024
Holidays
Observing Tisha B'av
Tu B’Av: Finding Love and Joy During The Mournful Summer
What is Tu B'Av and why is it a time to find love and joy during the mournful summer? It comes between Tisha B'Av and ...
Rabbi Andrew Pepperstone
July 3, 2024
Holidays
Tu B'av
Reparations: The Difficulty and Bravery of Asking
Look at reparations and the difficulty and bravery of asking, through the lens of slavery in Egypt, slavery in America, and the Holocaust.
Rabbi-Cantor Michael McCloskey
April 5, 2024
Holidays
Passover
The Seder as a Lived Experience
We use the Seder as a lived experience by reenacting the exodus, not just recounting it. Therefore, we can all connect to Passover.
Rabbi Lauren Tuchman
March 27, 2024
Holidays
Passover
16 Facts about Purim and the Book of Esther
Learn 16 facts about Purim and the Book of Esther, including the language and the context of the megillah in the Tanakh.
Rabbi Dr. J.B. Sacks
March 14, 2024
Esther
Holidays
Descendants of Kings and Scholars: Leading the Revolution
Descendants of leaders steer revolutions, seen through Moshe and Mordechai. What motivates the privileged who become social justice warriors?
Rabbi Dr. J.B. Sacks
March 14, 2024
Holidays
Purim
The Weird and Wacky World of Kosher for Passover
The weird and wacky world of keeping Kosher for Passover is confusing and overwhelming, especially when you're new to it. Start here!
Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein
December 26, 2023
Holidays
How to observe Passover
Elevating in Sanctity
Elevating in sanctity the celebration of Hanukah, means lighting one more candle each night. What else can we learn from this?
Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein
December 8, 2023
Hanukkah
Hanukkah Reflections
Shemini Atzeret, Demystified
What is Shemini Atzeret and how is it connected to Sukkot? "Shemini Atzeret, Demystified" explains all of that and more.
Jacki Honig
September 28, 2023
Holidays
Shemini Atzeret
Tu B’av: A Day For Joyous Love
Tu B'av, a minor summer holiday following Tisha B'av commemorates joyous events in Jewish history and celebrates love.
Reena Bromberg Gaber
July 31, 2023
Holidays
Living
Purim: Embracing the Unconventional
Purim celebrates unexpected heroes as role models. Those heroes, Esther and Mordechai encourage us to be our full selves.
Rabbi Dr. J.B. Sacks
March 5, 2023
Holidays
Purim
How can I celebrate Rosh Hodesh?
Rosh Hodesh is less hierarchical and more open to creative interpretation than most Jewish occasions/events. The possibilities are endless.
Rabbi Miriam C. Berkowitz
February 14, 2023
Holidays
Rosh Hodesh
What are the Special Sabbaths Before Purim and Passover?
A series of special Shabbatot with special Torah readings precede Purim and Passover.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
February 5, 2023
Observing Purim
Passover
Celebrating Purim in Synagogue
Tradition dictates that Purim be observed on the fourteenth day of Adar, and begins with the recitation of the regular evening service.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
February 5, 2023
Observing Purim
Purim
Festivities, Food, and Mitzvot on Purim
Purim is celebrated with days of feasting and merrymaking, and occasion for sending gifts to one another and gifts for the poor.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
February 5, 2023
Food
Holidays
What is Purim and When is it Celebrated?
Purim is about the struggle of identity against assimilation, the value of tolerance, and to live proudly as Jews in an ocean of non-Jews.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
January 31, 2023
Holidays
Purim
Liturgical Changes on Hanukkah
Liturgy on Hanukkah includes Hallel and additions to the Amidah. There are also special Torah readings, maftirs, and haftarot.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
December 8, 2022
Hanukkah
Holidays
Songs for Hanukkah
Hanukkah songs include those that follow candle lighting, as well as S'vivon sov sov sov, Hanukkah O'Hanukkah, and Neir Li.
Reena Bromberg Gaber
December 6, 2022
Hanukkah
Holidays
What is The Menorah?
The central mitzvah of Ḥanukkah is the lighting of the menorah at home and in the synagogue. This brings light to the darker winter months. ...
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
December 6, 2022
Hanukkah
Holidays
Lulav and Etrog: The Four Species
Besides dwelling in a sukkah, the other significant mitzvah of Sukkot is the taking up of the arba·ah minim, literally “the four species.”
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Sukkot at Home
While celebrating Sukkot at home, rituals include lighting candles, sitting in the sukkah, and customs related to the sukkah.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Intermediate Days of Sukkot
The intermediate days of Sukkot, the weekdays, combine some features of festival days and normal weekdays to create wholly unique day.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Hoshana Rabbah
Although the fifth intermediate day of Sukkot is known as Hoshana Rabbah, it is technically just the last day of ḥol ha-mo·eid.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
What is Sh’mini Atzeret?
The final two days of Sukkot are a totally separate holiday called Sh'mini Atzeret. Liturgy includes Yizkor and the prayer for rain.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
Holidays
Shemini Atzeret
What is Simhat Torah?
Simḥat Torah means “the joy of Torah” and is the name for the day on which the annual cycle of Torah readings begins and ends. ...
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Sh’mini Atzeret Candle Lighting
The laws for lighting candles on Sh’mini Atzeret are similar to those for Shabbat. These laws also apply to Simḥat Torah.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Rituals of Sukkot
Sukkot, one of the shalosh r’galim, the three pilgrimage festivals is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 14, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
The Sukkah
The sukkah for Sukkot has some very basic requirements, but beyond these rules its construction is left to one’s imagination and creativity.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 13, 2022
Building a Sukkah
High Holidays
Sukkot Candle Lighting
The laws for lighting candles on Sukkot are almost identical to the laws for Shabbat candle lighting, with the exception of covering eyes.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 13, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Ne’ilah
Ne’ilah is an additional service, recited only at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. It signifies the sealing of the Book of Life.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 4, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Minḥah on Yom Kippur
Minhah, the Afternoon Service, begins with the Torah service, including selections from Leviticus and the haftarah on the Book of Jonah.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 4, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Yom Kippur Musaf Service
The Yom Kippur Musaf Service includes two services: the Avodah service and the Martyrology service. Musaf follows Yizkor and Torah reading.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 4, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Yom Kippur Candle Lighting
Following the Yom Kippur meal, candles are lit in a similar fashion to those lit on Rosh Hashanah. A Yizkor candle is also lit.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 3, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Yom Kippur Evening Service
Maariv, the evening service, following Kol Nidrei on Erev Yom Kippur, is similar in many ways to daily Maariv but has notable differences.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 3, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Yom Kippur Morning Services
The Yom Kippur morning service is similar to Rosh Hashanah, with the exception of the Amidah and the selections for the Torah service.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 3, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Erev Yom Kippur and the Customs Preceding It
Preparations on Erev Yom Kippur are intrinsic to the awe-inspiring observance of the day: a special meal, candle lighting, and charity.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 3, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Kol Nidrei and Being Imperfect Together
Yom Kippur begins with the dramatic Kol Nidrei service, intended to annul vows made between yourself and God.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 3, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Yom Kippur Yizkor Service
The Memorial Service, Yizkor, is recited on Yom Kippur, one of four times throughout the year, to remember loved ones and Jewish martyrs.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 3, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
Rosh Hashanah Musaf Service
The Musaf Service for Rosh Hashanah contains familiar opening and closing blessings of the Amidah with the usual High Holiday interpolations.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
The Shofar on Rosh Hashanah
Sounding of the shofar is a characteristic mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah. The holiday is alternatively called the Day of Sounding the Shofar.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
September 16, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
10 Reasons Shavuot Might Be Your New Favorite Holiday
Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas offers us 10 great reasons why Shavuot might be your new favorite Jewish holiday.
Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas
June 3, 2022
Shavuot
Shavuot Reflections and Inspiration