Tag: Shabbat

Halakha and the Assessment of Risk

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.
September 7, 2023 Ethics Every Day
Parashat Haazinu Study Guide: The Pangs of Transition

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.
, June 12, 2023 Parashat Haazinu Parashat Haazinu Study Guide
Parashat Vayelech Study Guide: Staying In Touch

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.
, June 12, 2023 Parashat Vayelech Parashat Vayelech Study Guide
Bringing Juneteenth onto the Bimah

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.
, June 12, 2023 Holidays Juneteenth (US)
Flags at the Shabbat Table

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.
, 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. 
May 1, 2023 B-Mitzvah Lifecycles
Parashat Behar Study Guide: For the Land is Mine

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.
, 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.
, February 28, 2023 Parashat Vayakhel Parshat Vayakhel Study Guide
Parashat Ki Tissa Study Guide: A Cosmic National Sign

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.
, 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.
, February 5, 2023 Observing Purim Passover
Megillah scroll celebrating Purim in Synagogue

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.
, February 5, 2023 Observing Purim Purim
Sukkot at Home

Sukkot at Home

While celebrating Sukkot at home, rituals include lighting candles, sitting in the sukkah, and customs related to the sukkah.
, October 28, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Intermediate Days of Sukkot

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.
, October 28, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Hoshana Rabbah

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.
, October 28, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Sh'mini Atzeret Candle Lighting

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.
, October 28, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Yom Kippur Candle Lighting

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.
, October 3, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Yom Kippur Evening Service

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.
, October 3, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Erev Yom Kippur and the Customs Preceding It

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.
, October 3, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
The Shofar on Rosh Hashanah

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. 
, September 16, 2022 High Holidays Holidays
Candle Lighting for Rosh Hashanah

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.
, September 12, 2022 Blessings Every Day
Shabbat Morning Services: What to Expect

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?
June 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue
What do I do on a long Shabbat Afternoon?

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.
June 10, 2022 Observing Shabbat Shabbat
Why You Should Host a Pride 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.
June 7, 2022 Inclusion LGBTQ+
Friday Night Kiddush: The Deeper Meaning

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.
June 7, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat
Image of a do-not-enter sign with the words The Shabbat Prohibitions

The Shabbat Prohibitions

Shabbat comes with specific limitations. These Shabbat prohibitions help us create a separation from the rest of the week.
, May 16, 2022 Observing Shabbat Shabbat
darkened image of a sunset with the words The Shabbat Afternoon Service

The Shabbat Afternoon Service

The Minhah Service on Saturday Shabbat afternoon contains a number of significant additions to the weekday Afternoon Service.
, May 16, 2022 Prayer Prayer in Synagogue
Image of a Torah scroll with the words The Saturday Morning Shabbat Service

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.
, May 16, 2022 Shabbat Shabbat Day
Blurry image of candlesticks, challah, and a kiddush cup with the words: Friday Night Shabbat at Home

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.
, May 16, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat
Blurry image of a havdalah set with a hand reflecting off of the candle with the words: Super Simple Guide: How to do Havdalah

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.
May 13, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat
blurry image of a backyard at night with the words Havdalah Solo: My (Slightly Awkward) Spiritual Self-Care

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.
April 27, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat
Blurry image of havdalah set with the words: Havdalah: An Overview

Havdalah: An Overview

Havdalah, the concluding ceremony for Shabbat, serves as a dramatic reminder of the beauty and emotional power of Judaism.
, April 26, 2022 Havdalah Shabbat
sunset image with the words: Friday Night Services at Synagogue: An Explainer

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.
, April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Prayer
blurry image of shabbat candle sticks and the words: Shabbat Candles and the Beginning of Shabbat

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.
, April 20, 2022 Erev Shabbat Shabbat
image of bread roll for eiruv tavshilin

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.
, March 22, 2022 Holidays Passover

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