What do Jews, the Pilgrims of the Mayflower, and the fourth Thursday of each November in the United States have in common? Quite a lot, in fact. But, many still ask “Do Jewish people celebrate Thanksgiving?” In order to understand the condition of American Jewry, one must understand the crucial role Judaism played in the …
By the time you consider religious law, rabbinic orders, sectarian recommendations, and community and family preferences – the list of Jewish traditions is overwhelming. Furthermore, the traditions of many Jewish groups were impacted by the culture in which they assimilated during the Diaspora. (The Diaspora is the distribution of Jewish people throughout the world – …
When learning any new language, it is important to start with the basics, add regular usage, contextual situations and continued exposure for gaining fluency. Those wishing to learn Hebrew for enhanced study of scripture or connection with roots seeded in that language and culture are no different. These students inherently wish to immerse in the …
As in all religious traditions, the Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a very important part of a Jewish male’s/female’s life. While thinking of Bar Mitzvah vs. Bat Mitzvah, we must note that these words regard an age, not an event. Someone achieves it by becoming 13. All Jewish people are required to study the Torah during their …
Many will hear the question “what is the best way to read the Bible,” with confusion. Why does it require anything other than flipping pages and taking in words? Those that believe know the truth, though: within the pages of the Bible lie mysteries so great and commandments for every nuance of life. What most …
The history of Hebrew literature spans across the record of human civilization, with archaeological evidence dating its origins back to the 12th century BCE. When Hebrew became the state language of the State of Israel in 1948, it propelled a strengthening global movement around Hebrew literature, its ancient teachings, and progressive concepts. Today, Hebrew Book …
‘Orthodox’ is taken from the Greek word orthos meaning “straight or correct” and secondly doxa meaning opinion, and thus we may say that Orthodox Judaism follows a strict set of rules as interpreted from the Talmud and other rabbinical traditions. It should be noted that another term, Torah Judaism, is how many Orthodox followers prefer …
In Judaism, practices and rituals enrich a millenary culture. Through following its customs, those of the Jewish faith and culture can continue carrying on customs that have been practiced for generations. This helps to establish a connection with our ancestors, blending the rituals of today with those of the past and reminding the Jewish people …
The key to understanding and mastering the traditional Passover greeting begins with grasping the historical and spiritual meaning behind the celebration. Over three thousand years ago, the Lord delivered His people, the Israelites, from captivity under the Egyptians. The Lord sent the ten plagues upon the Egyptians to force Pharaoh to free them but spared …
The divorce rate these days has climbed to 50 percent or higher depending on what statics you believe; the chances of staying married are soon to have worse odds than those of winning the lottery. Yet, many whose roots are deep in the Bible and still follow the words transcribed there are some of the …
