L’Dor V’Dor – Generation to Generation
It’s no accident that the word “Hanukkah” (which means “rededication”) is closely related to the Hebrew word “hinukh” – education. After all, how can we
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
It’s no accident that the word “Hanukkah” (which means “rededication”) is closely related to the Hebrew word “hinukh” – education. After all, how can we
The month of Kislev is all about bringing light into darkness and this month we have a reading list focused on that.
Daily Elul kavanot: Short intentions guiding reflection, teshuvah, and spiritual renewal in preparation for the High Holidays.
We’re approaching the end. The journey through the desert is coming to a close, and Moshe is giving his final instructions to the Israelites before
Did God give the fully-written Torah to Moses at Sinai? Or as the Torah compiled and edited by people? What does that mean spiritually?
Learn more about what Jewish mindfulness is and answer the question “How do I get started?” There’s many ways to practice—here are a few.
If you’ve never been in the practice of reciting Psalms, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here’s how to adopt the practice.
You can find a harmonious existence where Torah study enriches your engagement with the world and the world inspires your spiritual growth.
Prayer is one of the most common and misunderstood parts of Jewish life. Here are five myths about Jewish prayer.
Through thoughtful choices, self-reflection, and a commitment to growth, we can balance our professional obligations and spiritual practices.
Looking at “To Life” from “Fiddler on the Roof,” shows us how living for Shabbat can transform your whole week.
Fasting, praying, and ancient rituals invite and inspire us to begin Ḥeshbon Hanefesh and perform sincere Teshuvah.
Fasting, praying, and ancient rituals invite and inspire us to begin Ḥeshbon Hanefesh and perform sincere Teshuvah.
Jews see marriage as mitzvah based on biblical and rabbinic texts. Marriage is seen as important for spirituality and closeness with God.
While there are no specific rituals for mourning a miscarriage, there are practices and rituals to use in that time that can help healing.
This an exploration of my “temple envy” through the emotions of grief, wonder, and desire for Jewish unity during a recent vacation to Nikko.
Exploring Judaism’s Omer playlist is meant to accompany you throughout the seven weeks leading up to Shavuot: Bring a bit more music to life!
Rabbi Lauren Tuchman writes “Why I Love Tefillin” and explores how all people can wear tefillin, based on her own experience.
There are many ways to write a d’var Torah. Read how this rabbi thinks about giving divrei Torah and what she thinks about while writing.
What is it like being a Conservative Jew in Jerusalem and how do we understand the holiness of the holiest place in the world?
This is the bread of affliction: Matzah adorns our Seder plates and nourishes our souls, as well—this food is fulfilling.
Everyone celebrates Rosh Hashanah differently, but sometimes, the holidays are hard. What can we do when this is true?
Here are 5 kavanot, intentions, for the days and weeks of Elul, approaching the Holy Days. This includes poems, books, and self-reflection.
Dig deeper into Jewish identity, memory, spirituality, and wisdom, exploring more into the question: “Why Be Jewish?”
Celebrating the high holy days from home gives us ample opportunity to bring the sacred even further into our lives.
Our prayers are almost always a mixture of both keva (oft-recited text) and kavanah (deeper layers of meaning).
Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald on wearing Tefillin: As I go about my work and my mundane routine, I am regularly reminded of what is holy.
Jewish spirituality doesn’t live in a book. Our bodies can guide our awareness and blessing. What could this practice look like in your life?
Hanukkah songs include those that follow candle lighting, as well as S’vivon sov sov sov, Hanukkah O’Hanukkah, and Neir Li.
Collecting experiences helps us feel like we belong. By doing ‘Jewish,’ we create meaningful Jewish lives where spirituality feels less contrived.
Besides dwelling in a sukkah, the other significant mitzvah of Sukkot is the taking up of the arba·ah minim, literally “the four species.”
While celebrating Sukkot at home, rituals include lighting candles, sitting in the sukkah, and customs related to the sukkah.
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.
Sukkot, one of the shalosh r’galim, the three pilgrimage festivals is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur.
The laws for lighting candles on Sukkot are almost identical to the laws for Shabbat candle lighting, with the exception of covering eyes.
Following the Yom Kippur meal, candles are lit in a similar fashion to those lit on Rosh Hashanah. A Yizkor candle is also lit.
Maariv, the evening service, following Kol Nidrei on Erev Yom Kippur, is similar in many ways to daily Maariv but has notable differences.
The Yom Kippur morning service is similar to Rosh Hashanah, with the exception of the Amidah and the selections for the Torah 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 Mordechai Rackover recommends these reads to help you prepare for the themes, liturgy, and spirit of the High Holidays.
The Musaf Service for Rosh Hashanah contains familiar opening and closing blessings of the Amidah with the usual High Holiday interpolations.
Sounding of the shofar is a characteristic mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah. The holiday is alternatively called the Day of Sounding the Shofar.
Elul’s shofar blasts daily remind us of all we need to do to prepare spiritually for the upcoming holidays and the start of the new year.
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.
With all of this physically taxing work, it can be easy to miss the spiritual preparation for this celebration of our collective redemption.