Category Archives: Jewish Traditions
What is Purim and How It is Celebrated by Kids?
Purim is a Holiday that Celebrates the Salvation of Jews in Ancient Persia
Purim is one of the most pleasant Jewish holidays. Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, this date is according to the lunar calendar. This year, Purim falls on March 8th 2012, according to the solar calendar.
Story of Purim in Short
In the 4th century, there was a Minister in the Persian Empire named Haman. He hated the Jews and decreed that on the 13th of Adar, all the Jews were to be destroyed.
However, Haman and the King didn’t know that Esther, the young new Queen of Persia, was Jewish. Esther’s uncle Mordechai discovered Haman’s plot to destroy the Jews and told Esther about it.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – A Day of Self Reflection and Repentance
Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement is considered to be one of the holiest holidays in the Jewish tradition. Yom Kippur ends the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur that are called “Days of Awe” – ten days devoted to the examination and repentance of our sins.
Why do we fast on Yom Kippur?
As a sign of repentance, the Jews fast for 24 hours that include a total abstention of food and drink. Many Jewish people, both religious and secular, refrain from work, driving, our any other daily activity. Instead, they visit the synagogue to pray before G-d and hear the sound of the Shofar blown.
Self- examination
On this day, Jewish people reflect on their past mistakes in the context of their relationship with G-d. the Jews ask themselves, have I followed all G-d’s commandments?
Another important part of this self-examination is in the context of relationship with other people, especially family and friends. It is a time for major introspection: to ask yourself if you hurt someone’s feelings, or treated your colleagues or friends disrespectfully. Based on the Jewish tradition, we all make these mistakes because we’re human, but it’s what we do about it that counts in the eyes of God.
Time to forgive and be forgiven
Yom Kippur is time to make new resolutions, apologize to the ones you’ve hurt and forgive the ones who have hurt you.
“May you be inscribed in the Book of Life” goes the common blessing we give to others during this time.
To read more about Jewish holidays, click on the link.
During Yom Kippur it is a mitzvah to listen to the sound of the shofar inside the synagogue.
So what is the Passover Seder Plate?
The Seder plate is the central object at the Passover table. Since Passover is about commemorating the story of Exodus, many Jewish symbols are used to demonstrate the sufferings of the Israelites and to celebrate the miracles that God brought to them in Egypt.
A Seder plate usually has six designated spots, each is dedicated to a traditional food that has symbolic significance in relation to the Passover holiday.
Seder Plate by Israeli Judaica Artist Shraga Landsman
The Seder plate usually has six designated spots. In these spots, we place traditional foods that have a symbolic significance.
What are these six dishes? This your check list for the Seder:
Maror (מרור) and Chazeret (חזרת)- two kinds of bitter herbs that symbolize the harsh lives of the enslaved Israelites in Egypt.
Charoset (חרוסת)- a sweet brown mixture that resembles the clay used by the Israelites during construction work for Pharaoh.
Karpas (כרפס) – a vegetable, usually parsley, dipped in salt water- a metaphor to the bitter tears of the enslaved Hebrews in Egypt.
Zroa (זרוע) – usually a chicken wing – a reminder of the sacrifice that was offered to God in the sacred Temple in Jerusalem.
A Roasted egg (Bietza ביצה) – There are many theories for what the egg stands for. According to one theory, eating a roasted egg is a sign of mourning and grief. The roasted egg is also thought to be eaten as a reminder of the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
Maror maror on the wall, what is the most delicious of them all?
Let’s admit it, Passover’s traditional foods may not be a celebration of the senses, but the Seder plate can definitely be a celebration for the eye!
Placed at the center of the festive table, the Seder plate is usually one of the most impressive items in the Judaica collection.
Both decorative and practical, the Seder plate has become a popular gift for Jewish people all across the world. The Seder plate adds festivity and color to the table on a holiday that celebrates the most important gift of all – freedom.
Israeli Judaica artists design original Seder plates in many sorts of styles and shapes. These artists skillfully combine modern influences with traditional motifs.
Where to buy a Seder plate by Israeli artists?
Discover Israel’s leading Judaica artists who specialize in Seder Plate designs at Canaan Online.
A wide selection of Seder plates is also avaiable at Judaica Store
Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year and Its Significance
Rosh Hashanah is the holiday that marks the beginning of the New Year according to the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah is the time of the year when we praise the creation of the world. The ten day period beginning with this holiday is a time for self-evaluation and repentance: the Jewish person examines how he or she can become a better person in the upcoming year.
Don’t let the term New Year mislead you – this holy holiday is nothing like the North American New Year’s Eve party!
The serious part of the holiday – self- examination
Rosh Hashanah occurs right before Yom Kippur, and there’s logic behind it. On Rosh Hashanah Jewish people reflect on their past mistakes in the context of their relationship with G-d. They ask themselves, have I followed all God’s commandments?
Hanukkah – A celebration of lights!
The fight against oppression
The Jewish people have struggled throughout history to preserve their religion as a nation. More than 2000 years ago, king Antiochus, the leader of the Greek Empire, occupied the land of Israel. The occupation of the land and its people wasn’t enough for the Greeks, they wanted to take away the spiritual freedom of the Jewish people. Antiochus demanded that the Jews abandon their faith and surrender to the Greek Gods.
The oppressive verdict caused rivalry among the Jews under the leadership of the Maccabees.
The Hanukkah story: David and Goliath all over again
The Jewish people, though inferior in number, were determined to fight the well trained and armed soldiers of the Greek empire.
Like the Phil Collins’ song – Against All Odds
The story of Chanukah (also spelled Hanukah) tells that the Jews formed a small yet fierce army under the leadership of Judah Maccabee and his four brothers. The Maccabbees defeated the great Greek army but the victory didn’t come easy. It took three years of bloody fights to oust the Greeks out of the holy land.
Judah and his followers rededicated the Second Temple. They removed all of the Greek statues that filled the temple and made a mockery of the temple’s true purpose.
What does the Hanukkah menorah has to do with it?..
The Maccabbees wanted to light the holy Menorah in the temple, also known as the Eternal Light for its believed ability to shine forever. But to the Maccabbee’s misfortune, there was only a small jug of oil left for the lamp in the temple, which was only enough for one day. To everyone’s surprise, the small jug of oil kept the menorah lit for eight whole days. That was the Hanukkah miracle.
We mark this miracle of Hanukkah by kindling the lights of the special 9-candle menorah (Hanukiyah) for eight successive days.
The lighting of the Hanukiya also celebrates the great victory of the brave Jewish ancestors who fought over their right for religious freedom.
The Hanukkah menorah or Hanukia has 9 candle holders, the middle one, Shamah, is lit first and is used to light the other eight candles that are usually very colorful, one for each day. On the eighth day, all 9 candles are kindled, filling the Jewish home with sparkling flames and cheery colors.
This is why Hanukkah is also known as the festival of lights!
Other customs:
Dreidels
The children play with the dreidels that have Hebrew letters, one on each side –(Nun, Gimel, Hey and Shin). Each letter stands for a word that is part of the Hanukah blessing – Great Miracle Happened There. In Israel, the dreidel slightly differs by one letter, so the blessing there is – Great Miracle Happened Here.
As you can well see – anyone can join the party!
The best part – the food:
Unlike in the holy temple, not a drop of oil is spared in cooking on Hanukkah!
Sufganiyot
During the eight days of Chanukah it is customary in Israel to eat jelly donuts called Sufganiyot (plural of Sufganiah), which totally beats the Christmas eggnog! Sufganiya in Hebrew means a sponge. See yourself warned – one single donut contains about 500 calories!
According to Wikipedia, the largest bakery in Israel – Angel Bakeries – fries more than 250,000 sufganiyot every day during the eight days of Chanukah.
Another yummy treat is the potato latkes: to get these crispy pancakes you fry grated potatoes and onions in deep oil.
So if you don’t gain weight during this holiday, count that as your Chanukah miracle!
All You Need to Know about Havdalah Service
Say “Farewell” to Shabbat Havdalah style
The Havdalah service marks the beginning of a new week. In Hebrew Havdalah literally means “to make distinction” – it is a mitzvah to symbolically separate regular days from the holy days – Shabbat and the holidays. The Havdalah service marks the end of a holy day and is performed weekly at the end of Shabbat, as the night falls.
Havdalah service – Celebration of the senses
The ceremony begins with a member of the family reciting blessings and pouring wine into a small dish until it’s about to overflow the cup. After the blessing of the wine, a special candle designated for this service only is lit. The lighting of the candle symbolizes the light of Shabbat that is being “turned off”. The candle is distinguished into the remains of the wine.
Sweet spices or anything with a sweet aroma is used during the services to remind us of the sweetness of the Shabbat.
Sunday is a day off for non-Jewish people, but for Jews Sunday is the first day of the week. When Shabbat is over, you wish a Jewish person to have a good week, or “shavua tov”!
Looking for an easy guide on how to perform Havdalah? Watch this footage!
Today you can find beautiful sets online for the Havdalah service.
Jewish Wedding Traditions: From Signing the Ketubah to the Breaking of the Glass
There are quite many Jewish wedding traditions that have been observed for generations. Although the wedding service is not that long, there are many Jewish wedding traditions. If you examine popular Jewish customs in Jewish communities around the world, you will notice that there are differences between Sephardic Jews and Ashkenazi Jews However, most of the prominent Jewish traditions are largely the same. What Jewish wedding traditions are you familiar with? Have you been invited to a Jewish wedding and knows not what to expect? In this short article I will introduce to the most common Jewish wedding traditions that are observed by religious and non-religious Jews to this day. Here is a short introduction to the prominent Jewish wedding traditions.
Ketubah:
The Ketubah is signed before the wedding service begins. The Ketubah is an important part of a traditional Jewish matrimony. The ketubah exemplifies Judaism’s view on marriage- as a sacred contract between man and woman. The Ketubah includes the husband’s commitments to his wife: to provide food, shelter and so on. The Ketubah is signed by two witnesses who must not blood related to the bride and groom. The Ketubah is usually read out loud under the Huppah.
Covering the face of the bride:
One of the most famous Jewish wedding traditions is the covering the face of the bride. Before the bride goes under the Huppah the groom, covers the bride’s face with a veil. This tradition is called badeken meaning “the covering” or a veil.
Chuppah;
Most of you are probably familiar with the Chuppah – a large canopy, under which the Jewish wedding service is performed. The Huppah is a metaphor for the new home that the couple will be building together.
Wearing Tallit and Kippah:
There are several Jewish wedding traditions that are not observed in all Jewish communities. In quite many Jewish communities the groom wears a Tallit under the Chuppah although it is not obligatory. Among Sephardic Jews, it is customary that the bride purchases a new Tallit for the groom.
The Jewish wedding ring:
According to Jewish law, the groom has to wed with a ring that must worth more than a dime. The ring has to be round and smooth, as a symbol for marriage life.
The Seven blessings:
The seven blessings are one of the most loved Jewish wedding traditions. Then, wine is poured into a glass and the bride and groom drink after the rabbi recites a blessing. According to the tradition of Ashkenazi Jews, after the drinking of the first glass, a second glass of wine is poured by the rabbi and the Seven Blessings, also known as Sheva Brachot, are recited. According to Jewish tradition, the seven blessing are often recited by the rabbi who performs the Kidushin or by guests; this is considered a great honor. The Seven Blessings are recited only if a ‘minyan’ is present. The seven blessings are usually chanted in both Hebrew and English.
Ani LeDodi VeDodi Li (I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine):
This is one of my favorite Jewish wedding traditions. Under the Huppah, the bride and groom recite this psalm from the biblical book, Song o Song, which is believed to have been written by King Solomon. Ani LeDodi, also known as “I am my beloved’s and my beloved’s is mine”, is traditionally interpreted as the divine love that God has given to the people of Israel. The people of Israel are equivalent to the wife, the beloved, and God in the one who blesses His people with eternal love.
Jewish blessings in praise of women
Breaking of the glass:
At the peak of the ceremony, the groom takes the wedding ring in his hand and in front of witnesses, the groom says the eternal prayer: “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither” and then declares to the bride: “You are betrothed unto me with this ring, according to the law of Moses and Israel.” Finally, the groom smashes the glass with his feet as the audience cheers.
Ancient Jewish Traditions: Lighting Shabbat Candles
Why do Jewish people light Shabbat candles every Friday night? Shabbat is the Day of Rest in Judaism. Jews welcome this holy day by lighting Shabbat candlesticks and performing a Kiddush. According to tradition, two Shabbat candles or more are lit on Friday evening, 18 minutes before sundown, to welcome Shabbat. Lighting Shabbat candles is an important mitzvah in Judaism. Every Friday night before sunset, the Jewish family welcomes the Shabbat by lighting Shabbat candles.
Two candles are traditionally lit to welcome the Shabbat. Shabbat candles are traditionally lit by Jewish women. Around twenty minutes before the sun goes down, the mother or daughter says a quiet prayer while placing her hands over her eyes. Since the woman generally is associated with the character of the Jewish home, she was given the privilege of lighting the Shabbat candles. According to Talmud, women light Shabbat candles as a redemption. The first woman Eve was responsible for the fall from heaven when she was tempted by the snake. Now women must redeem by adding light into the world. By lighting Shabbat candles, women generate spiritual light which illuminates the Jewish home for the entire week. In case there is no woman in the household, a man may light the candles.
The blessing over Shabbat candles is: The spiritual light generated by a woman’s Shabbat candles illuminates the home, not only on Shabbat, but also during the weekdays that follow (or Nerot). “Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Shabbat candles”. According to tradition, as Shabbat comes in, the skies open up, and it is time for the woman who recites the blessing to make her deepest wishes.
Why do we light Shabbat candles? The act of lighting Shabbat candles represents the Creation of the Light. In lighting Shabbat candles we fulfill two Mitzvahs: honor the Shabbat and bring domestic peace and tranquility (Shlom Bayit). Others say that we light two candles for the two commandments – to remember the Shabbat and to observe the Shabbat. The woman who recites the blessing covers her eyes so she would not enjoy the sacred candle light before blessing is completed. According to tradition, only after the woman finishes reciting the blessing, she uncovers her eyes and looks at the Shabbat candles light.
