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Tag: Shabbat
Why Are There Two Challot on Shabbat?
It is custom to have two challot at the Shabbat meal. Where does this tradition come from? Here are a few answers to that question.
Daniela Rusowsky
December 11, 2024
Erev Shabbat
Holidays
What to expect when going to a B-Mitzvah?
A B-Mitzvah is the Jewish celebration and ritual of coming of age, and it is celebrated at about the age of 13. Here's what you ...
Tsvia Weisberger
November 29, 2024
B-Mitzvah
Lifecycles
What do I wear to a Shabbat service?
Simply, something appropriate for a religious service. But, getting to know the community will help you understand what feels right.
Joshua Klein
November 7, 2024
Clothing
Holidays
Shabbat for Jewish Pets and Their Owners
Here are a few tips to celebrate Shabbat for Jewish pets and their owners and how to enhance your family's Shabbat experience.
Rabbi Alex Hamilton
June 19, 2024
Animals
Daily Living
Remembering and Observing United States Memorial Day
Remembering and observing United States Memorial Day can be found in the remembrance and observance of Shabbat.
Rabbi Aaron Gaber
May 16, 2024
Holidays
Memorial Day
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
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)
Bar, Bat and B. Mitzvah – Where did it Come From and Where is it Going?
B'nei Mitzvah 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
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