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Author
Rabbi Alan Lucas
Rabbi Alan Lucas
My Posts
How to light the Hanukkah Candles
Read here for the procedure for lighting candles for Hanukkah. This includes the blessings, song ideas, and order for lighting candles.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
December 5, 2022
Hanukkah
Holidays
Hanukkah: History and Context
What is Hanukkah's historical context? What does it actually commemorate? Who was Judah and the Maccabees?
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
November 30, 2022
Hanukkah
Holidays
Lulav and Etrog: The Four Species
Besides dwelling in a sukkah, the other significant mitzvah of Sukkot is the taking up of the arba·ah minim, literally “the four species.”
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
High Holidays
Holidays
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
Sukkot in the Synagogue
On the mornings of Sukkot, Shacharit and Musaf follow the standard festival format. The lulav and etrog should be shaken.
The Observant Life (Book)
,
Rabbi Alan Lucas
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
What is Sh’mini Atzeret?
The final two days of Sukkot are a totally separate holiday called Sh'mini Atzeret. Liturgy includes Yizkor and the prayer for rain.
Rabbi Alan Lucas
,
The Observant Life (Book)
October 28, 2022
Holidays
Shemini Atzeret
What is Simhat Torah?
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. ...
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
