What is ExploringJudaism?
ExploringJudaism is a new home for the Torah of Conservative Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning and learning. There is always something to learn and explore.
Our approach is rooted in the ideas that Judaism grows with us, that we’re guided by process, and that there is beauty in the balance.
This website is a work in progress.
Judaism is a work in progress, an ever-evolving Tradition. It is hard to imagine that Rabbi Akiva, a rabbi from the first century, could have anticipated Zoom services, virtual hevrutot/study groups, and information on demand. That is part of what we seek, a Judaism that grows as we do.
This site is just like that, a work in progress.
Shabbat Posts
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.
Havdalah: An Overview
Havdalah, the concluding ceremony for Shabbat, serves as a dramatic reminder of the beauty and emotional power of Judaism.
The 3 Categories of Shabbat Preparation
There are three major categories of Shabbat preparation that must be attended to: physical setting, food preparation, and personal grooming.
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 Shabbat Prohibitions
Shabbat comes with specific limitations. These Shabbat prohibitions help us create a separation from the rest of the week.
