Tag: Shabbat

A Whoop and Two Challahs: Doubling Our Loaves on Shabbat

A whoop and two challahs! Learn why doubling our loaves on Shabbat is important and how to observe this mitzvah.

Rabbi Adam J. Rosenbaum April 5, 2024 Blessings Erev Shabbat

Birkat Yeladim: Blessing Children

Read more on how to preform Birkat Yeladim, the blessing over our children, and where the blessing and practice come from.

Reena Bromberg Gaber January 31, 2024 Blessings Erev Shabbat

Why We Cover Challah at the Shabbat Table

Why we cover Challah at the Shabbat table can be found when we learn about manna and the seven species of Israel.

Hazzan Sara Geffen Geller January 30, 2024 Erev Shabbat Holidays

Confessions of a Fussy Kiddush Nosher

Though Kiddush in synagogue is a great for connecting with community, food options can be challenging and a limiting factor for picky eaters.

Rabbi Adam J. Rosenbaum January 30, 2024 Food Holidays

What is a Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, B-Mitzvah?

The B-Mitzvah is a transitional moment when one becomes responsible to the mitzvot, Traditionally celebrated with an aliyah to the Torah.

Rabbi Carl Astor, The Observant Life (Book) December 26, 2023 B-Mitzvah Children

Halakha and the Assessment of Risk

Halakha can be used for the assessment of risk; this can be relevant for pikuach nefesh (saving a life) or kashrut.

Rabbi Avram Israel Reisner September 7, 2023 Ethics Every Day

Study Guide: The Pangs of Transition

As Moshe embarks on his final speech to the Israelites, the nation readies itself for the transition of leadership from Moshe to Joshua.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat Haazinu Parashat Haazinu Study Guide

Study Guide: Staying in Touch

The study guide for Parashat Vayelech explores the shemitah that comes every seven years, especially discussing the connection to Sukkot.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva June 12, 2023 Parashat Vayelech Parashat Vayelech Study Guide

Bringing Juneteenth onto the Bimah

Bringing Juneteenth into synagogues signifies that Black Jews are not a footnote in the Jewish story but core parts of our communities.

Rabbi Heather Miller, Rabbi Lev Meirowitz Nelson June 12, 2023 Holidays Juneteenth (US)

Flags at the Shabbat Table

In this week’s parashah we learn that the Israelites traveled through the wilderness like a troop of soldiers or a marching band.

Ilana Kurshan, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva May 16, 2023 Parashat Bamidbar Parashat Bamidbar Dvar Torah

Bar, Bat and B. Mitzvah – Where did it Come From and Where is it Going?

B'nei Mitzvot are one of today’s best known Jewish milestones, marking coming of age as an “adult” and responsibility for one’s own actions.

Rabbi Miriam C. Berkowitz May 1, 2023 B-Mitzvah Lifecycles

Study Guide: For the Land is Mine

The study guide for Behar focuses on the concept of Shmitah, the rest year, and the language used to refer to it.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva April 26, 2023 Parashat Behar Parashat Behar Study Guide

Parashat Vayakhel Haftarah Between Enthusiasm and Law

Study Guide: Between Enthusiasm and Law

This week's study guide explores the building of the Tabernacle. The exploration includes time worked and communal actions completed.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva February 28, 2023 Parashat Vayakhel Parshat Vayakhel Study Guide

Study Guide: A Cosmic National Sign

This week's study guide explores the relationship between God and the Israelites, in the Israelites keeping the Sabbath for God.

Vered Hollander-Goldfarb, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center — Conservative Yeshiva February 22, 2023 Parashat Ki Tisa Parashat Ki Tisa Study Guide

Special Shabbats leading up to Purim and Passover

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

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

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

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

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

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

Candle Lighting for Rosh Hashanah

When and how to do Rosh Hashanah Candle Lighting. We usher in Rosh Hashanah by lighting candles, just as we do on Shabbat.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Alan Lucas September 12, 2022 Blessings Every Day

Shabbat Morning Services: What to Expect

We thank God, spend time in community, sing heartily, read holy texts, and revel in rest. What can I expect at a Shabbat morning service?

Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein June 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue

What do I do on a long Shabbat Afternoon?

Long Shabbat afternoons can be intimidating, here's how Rabbi Sydni Rubinstein spends her time and why it's her favorite time all week.

Rabbi Sydni Adler Rubinstein June 10, 2022 Observing Shabbat Shabbat

Why You Should Host a Pride Shabbat

Aimee Close shares her story of becoming a synagogue member and the power and importance of Pride Shabbat and being welcoming.

Aimee Close June 7, 2022 Inclusion LGBTQ+

Friday Night Kiddush: The Deeper Meaning

Rabbi Dina Shargel teaches that the Friday night Kiddush sets a mood to welcome Shabbat by connecting it to Creation and to the Exodus.

Rabbi Dina Shargel June 7, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat

The Shabbat Prohibitions

Shabbat comes with specific limitations. These Shabbat prohibitions help us create a separation from the rest of the week.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz May 16, 2022 Observing Shabbat Shabbat

The Shabbat Afternoon Service

The Minhah Service on Saturday Shabbat afternoon contains a number of significant additions to the weekday Afternoon Service.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz May 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue

The Saturday Morning Shabbat Service

How is the Saturday morning Shabbat service constructed? What prayers are included? Check out our overview on Shabbat morning services.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz May 16, 2022 Shabbat Shabbat Day

Friday Night Shabbat at Home

Friday night Shabbat at home includes blessings over children, the song Shalom Aleichem, kiddush, and the blessing over bread, the motzi.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz May 16, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat

Super Simple Guide: How to Do Havdalah

This is a super simple guide on how to do the ritual of Havdalah including the blessings in Hebrew, English, and Transliteration.

Exploring Judaism May 13, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat

Havdalah Solo: My (Slightly Awkward) Spiritual Self-Care

My Havdalah candle, wine, spices, and I did my own Havdalah ceremony all alone in my backyard. It was my own form of spiritual self-care.

Marion Haberman April 27, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat

Havdalah: An Overview

Havdalah, the concluding ceremony for Shabbat, serves as a dramatic reminder of the beauty and emotional power of Judaism.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz April 26, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat

Friday Night Services at Synagogue: An Explainer

Friday night services on Shabbat include both Kabbalat Shabbat, a joyous recitation of psalms, and a Shabbat Maariv, the evening service.

Rabbi Michael Katz, The Observant Life (Book) April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Prayer

Shabbat Candles and the Beginning of Shabbat

Shabbat begins with the lighting of candles, in part, because they are symbolic of the spiritual light that Shabbat can bring into our lives.

The Observant Life (Book), Rabbi Michael Katz April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat

What is an Eiruv Tavshilin?

One is only permitted to cook on festivals to make food for the holiday itself, not for other days. There is an exception: eiruv tavshilin.

Rabbi Alan Lucas, The Observant Life (Book) March 22, 2022 Holidays Passover

Tag: Shabbat

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