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Category: Holidays

Reparations: The Difficulty and Bravery and Asking

Reparations: The Difficulty and Bravery of Asking

Look at reparations and the difficulty and bravery of asking, through the lens of slavery in Egypt, slavery in America, and the Holocaust.
April 5, 2024 Holidays Passover
What Can the "Push/Pull" of Purim Teach Us About Antisemitism

What Can the “Push/Pull” of Purim Teach Us About Antisemitism

What can the "push/pull" of Purim teach us about antisemitism? Esther teaches us a strategy that could help us find new ways to antisemitism.
April 5, 2024 Holidays Purim
How I Dip Maror In Charoset

How I Dip Maror in Charoset

Wrapping and dipping maror in charoset at Seder can be part of a family tradition. Explore this one to add more to your own Seder ...
April 5, 2024 Holidays Passover

The Four Questions Hotline

Welcome to the Exploring Judaism Four Questions Hotline, with Passover Cleaning Support! We are here to answer your questions.
March 28, 2024 Holidays Passover

The Secrets of Matzah

There are so many secrets hidden away within Matzah that ask to be uncovered, offering us spiritual wisdom.
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
Every Year We Must See Ourselves As If We Were There

Every Year We Must See Ourselves As If We Were There

Every year at Passover, we must see ourselves as If we were there in Egypt and take on what that means for ourselves.
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
B'khol Dor Vador In Every Generation

B’khol Dor Vador—In Every Generation

What does "b'khol dor vador—in every generation" mean in light of the events of October 7? How does this connect us to Passover?
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
Why Couldn't Moses Enter the Promised Land?

Why Couldn’t Moses Enter the Promised Land?

Current events help us understand why Moses couldn't enter the Promised Land and remind us the importance of innocent lives.
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
A Very Waystar Royco Seder: How a Show Like “Succession” Illuminates the Four Children

How a Show Like “Succession” Illuminates the Four Children

How can a show like "Succession" illuminate the Seder? Compare the Four Children of our haggadah with the four Roy children.
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
Back to Our Roots

Back to Our Roots

Learn about the Wicked Child of the Four Children by going back to our roots and looking at the meaning of the Hebrew word itself.
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
The Living Room Seder

The Living Room Seder

Hosting a living room Seder can allow us to experience a Seder closer to the way that the rabbis thought of it.
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
Dip Your Karpas in Salt Water and Honey?

Dip Your Karpas in Salt Water and Honey?

Dipping Karpas into salt water at the Passover Seder has a mysterious history that invites us to create new dipping and meaning opportunities!
March 27, 2024 Holidays How to observe Passover
On Passover, We Are All Jews-By-Choice

On Passover, We Are All Jews-By-Choice

On Passover, we are all Jews-by-Choice when we choose to remember what it is that brings us together for the holiday.
March 27, 2024 Conversion Holidays
The Magic of Bedikat Hametz

The Magic of Bedikat Hametz

Use this guide to bring the magic of bedikat hametz to your children. It can be a fun ritual with your kids, of any age.
March 27, 2024 Holidays How to observe Passover
Slavery, Social Justice, and Family History

Slavery, Social Justice, and Family History

Reflecting on a "Pilgrimage to the South" on a Movement social justice trip as a Black Jew and how it has changed who I am.
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
All Who Are Hungry and In Need Come Eat

All Who Are Hungry and In Need, Come Celebrate Pesach

Through the seder, we learn the importance of hospitality and inviting all who are hungry and in need, to come celebrate Pesach.
March 27, 2024 Holidays How to observe Passover
The Seder as a Lived Experience

The Seder as a Lived Experience

We use the Seder as a lived experience by reenacting the exodus, not just recounting it. Therefore, we can all connect to Passover.
March 27, 2024 Holidays Passover
16 Facts about Purim and the Book of Esther

16 Facts about Purim and the Book of Esther

Learn 16 facts about Purim and the Book of Esther, including the language and the context of the megillah in the Tanakh.
March 14, 2024 Esther Holidays
Descendants of Kings and Scholars: Leading the Revolution

Descendants of Kings and Scholars: Leading the Revolution

Descendants of leaders steer revolutions, seen through Moshe and Mordechai. What motivates the privileged who become social justice warriors?
March 14, 2024 Holidays Purim
Embracing Change: A Call to Rethink the Passover Seder Plate

Embracing Change: A Call to Rethink the Passover Seder Plate

How and why can you create a plant-based seder plate? We embrace change during Passover, especially in rethinking the seder plate.
, March 13, 2024 Holidays Passover
Fury and Fermentation: A Hasidic Teaching for Pesach

Fury and Fermentation

Learn about fury and fermentation, the concept that our anger could be spiritual hametz during Pesach and all year-round.
March 13, 2024 Every Day Holidays
Engaging Kids of All Ages in the Passover Seder

Engaging Kids of All Ages in the Passover Seder

Engaging kids of all ages in the Passover seder can feel daunting. Here are my top five tips for engaging everyone at the seder.
March 13, 2024 Holidays Passover
Pesah and Continued Kashrut Slavery: A Conceptual Reflection

Pesah and Continued Kashrut Slavery: A Conceptual Reflection

A conceptual reflection of Pesah and Kashrut can bring more meaning to how we follow the halakhah of food on Pesah.
March 12, 2024 Holidays Passover
How to Incorporate Kitniyot into Your Passover

How to Incorporate Kitniyot into Your Passover

Though the Conservative Movement has allowed eating kitniyot on Passover, many still do not. How can we incorporate kitniyot this year?
February 29, 2024 Every Day Food
Passover Kashrut Questions and Answers

Passover Kashrut Questions and Answers

Answering key and specific questions about kashrut, kashering utensils, and food in the context of Passover.
February 28, 2024 Holidays How to observe Passover
The Passover Preparation Checklist

The Passover Preparation Checklist

We know that preparing for Passover can feel like a daunting task. With this handy checklist, you will be ready for Passover in no time!
February 28, 2024 Holidays Passover
Not A Haggadah Post Image

Passover Reader 5784: Not A Haggadah

Exploring Judaism's 2024 (5784) Passover Reader, Not A Haggadah, includes essays to inspire a meaningful Passover.
February 25, 2024 Holidays How to observe Passover
Adding Some Shenanigans to your Purim

Adding Some Shenanigans to your Purim

Purim is the perfect time to add some whimsy and shenanigans to your celebration. It is okay to be silly with these activities!
February 16, 2024 Holidays Observing Purim
Doing Teshuvah Outside of Communal Prayers

Doing Teshuvah Outside of Communal Prayers

This teshuvah, written at a time when gathering was not possible, explores doing teshuvah outside of communal prayers.
February 5, 2024 Elul Holidays
Birkat Yeladim: Blessing Children

Birkat Yeladim: Blessing Children

Read more on how to preform Birkat Yeladim, the blessing over our children, and where the blessing and practice come from.
January 31, 2024 Blessings Erev Shabbat
Charlton Heston Speaking

Charlton Heston Speaking

We can learn about leadership from Moses, as well as from Charlton Heston speaking, as he plays Moses in the Ten Commandments movie.
January 31, 2024 Holidays Learning
Why We Cover Challah at the Shabbat Table

Why We Cover Challah at the Shabbat Table

Why we cover Challah at the Shabbat table can be found when we learn about manna and the seven species of Israel.
January 30, 2024 Erev Shabbat Holidays
Confessions of a Fussy Kiddush Nosher

Confessions of a Fussy Kiddush Nosher

Though Kiddush in synagogue is a great for connecting with community, food options can be challenging and a limiting factor for picky eaters.
January 30, 2024 Food Holidays
Shirat Hayam - They're playing our song!

Shirat Hayam: They’re playing our song!

Shirat Hayam connects us to a collective memory and is the proof-text that enlarges, extends, and authenticates the meaning of the prayer. 
January 25, 2024 Holidays Parashat Beshalach
Why I Change the Melodies: Exploring Keva and Kavanah

Why I Change the Melodies: Exploring Keva and Kavanah

By occasionally changing melodies, we draw from both Keva and Kavanah and invite ourselves into a deeper connection with our prayers.
January 22, 2024 Holidays Music

What is a Tu Bishvat Seder?

Tu Bishvat is a holiday rooted in the Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:1 which outlines the four new years in the Jewish calendar. Tu Bishvat is ...
January 18, 2024 Observing Tu Bishvat Tu Bishvat
Why Tu b'Shvat Needs to be More Than a Birthday for Trees

Why Tu b’Shvat Needs to be More Than a Birthday for Trees

Rabbi Jonathan Bernhard encourages us to recommit to caring for our world and to see Tu b’Shvat as more than the “birthday for the trees.
January 14, 2024 Climate and Environment Climate change
Prayer In Honor of Martin Luther King Day

Prayer in Honor of Martin Luther King Day

A prayer in honor of Martin Luther King Day, commemorating what Dr. King stood for and about, learning from his ever-effective words.
January 10, 2024 Holidays Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US)
Responsive Reading From MLK’s Words

A Responsive Reading From MLK’s Words

A responsive reading from the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., put together by Rabbi A. Nathan Abramowitz.
January 10, 2024 Holidays Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US)
Conversation with Martin Luther King at 1968 RA Convention

Conversation with Martin Luther King at 1968 RA Convention

At the 1968 Rabbinical Assembly convention, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to assembled rabbis concerning how they can fight for justice.
January 10, 2024 Holidays Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US)
The Weird and Wacky World of Kosher for Passover

The Weird and Wacky World of Kosher for Passover

The weird and wacky world of keeping Kosher for Passover is confusing and overwhelming, especially when you're new to it. Start here!
December 26, 2023 Holidays How to observe Passover
This is the Bread of Affliction

This is the Bread of Affliction

This is the bread of affliction: Matzah adorns our Seder plates and nourishes our souls, as well—this food is fulfilling.
December 26, 2023 Food Holidays
The Art of Assimilating Wisely

The Art of Assimilating Wisely

Hanukkah—when we read about the Maccabees resisting assimilation and Joseph embracing it—is a time to look at the art of assimilation wisely.
December 14, 2023 Hanukkah Hanukkah Reflections
Elevating in Sanctity

Elevating in Sanctity

Elevating in sanctity the celebration of Hanukah, means lighting one more candle each night. What else can we learn from this?
December 8, 2023 Hanukkah Hanukkah Reflections
My Good Mensches, We Are Modern Maccabees

My Good Mensches, We Are Modern Maccabees

We are the Maccabees of our modern time and we have the responsibility to keep the Ner Tamid lit for another generation.
November 28, 2023 #beamaccabee Hanukkah
Jewish Pride Guides My Actions

Jewish Pride Guides My Actions

From a love of Judaism and Jewish history, my Jewish pride guides my actions, both public and private, and defines my sense of self.
November 28, 2023 #beamaccabee Hanukkah
How to Forgive

How to Forgive (Kol Nidrei)

When the time of Yom Kippur is upon us, we talk a lot about forgiveness. Saying "sorry" is easy—how do we forgive?
November 5, 2023 High Holidays Holidays
Netzach and Hod

Netzach and Hod (Rosh Hashanah)

Rabbi Friedson explains the middot—soul traits—of netzach and hod and relates the required tenacity and glory to this time of year.
November 5, 2023 High Holidays Holidays
Hope is a Rope

Hope is a Rope (Rosh Hashanah)

We learn from Rabbi Friedson to keep our hope in mind for this next year. Our hope is a rope, just as strong and tenacious.
November 5, 2023 High Holidays Holidays
Non-Fasting Sh"tz on Yom Kippur

Non-Fasting Sh”tz on Yom Kippur

When should we use a non-fasting sh"tz on Yom Kippur? This CJLS teshuvah, originally written by Rabbi Gail Labovitz, explains.
September 28, 2023 CJLS Halakhah
How to Keep Your Lulav From Getting Gross

How to Keep Your Lulav From Getting Gross

How to Take Care of Your Lulav and Etrog. Lulavim and Etrogim, like all perishables, need to be kept in a cool place and treated ...
September 28, 2023 Holidays Lulav and Etrog

How to Shake the Lulav and Etrog

Shaking the Lulav and Etrog is a core ritual for Sukkot. This guide describes how to shake it and what blessing to recite.
, September 28, 2023 Holidays Lulav and Etrog
Shemini Atzeret, Demystified

Shemini Atzeret, Demystified

What is Shemini Atzeret and how is it connected to Sukkot? "Shemini Atzeret, Demystified" explains all of that and more.
September 28, 2023 Holidays Shemini Atzeret
What is the holiday of Sigd?

What is the holiday of Sigd?

Sigd is holiday now observed 50 days after Yom Kippur that celebrates a commitment to Torah and Jewish life.
September 27, 2023 Holidays Sigd
Remembering Our Loved Ones Before Us

Remembering Our Loved Ones Before Us

When our loved ones die, who remembers those they remembered? Here's a way to remember all of those that came before us.
September 21, 2023 Death and Dying Family

How to recite Kiddush on Rosh Hashanah (even on Shabbat)

On Rosh Hashanah, we recite a special kiddush blessing that marks the moment. On Shabbat and Saturday nights, there are special inclusions.
September 14, 2023 Holidays How to observe Rosh Hashanah
What Can I Expect at My First Rosh Hashanah Services?

What Can I Expect at My First Rosh Hashanah Services?

The intensity of Rosh Hashanah can be intimidating; read this guide to get to know what to expect at services on our New Year.
September 11, 2023 Holidays Rosh Hashanah
When the Holidays Are Hard

When the Holidays Are Hard

Everyone celebrates Rosh Hashanah differently, but sometimes, the holidays are hard. What can we do when this is true?
September 11, 2023 Elul Holidays
The Discomfort of Yom Kippur

The Discomfort of Yom Kippur

As we discuss our traditions and requirements on Yom Kippur, we encounter discomforts that allow us to think about the past year.
September 7, 2023 High Holidays Holidays
What Do People Think About While Praying?

What Do People Think About While Praying?

While Judaism tells us various ways to pray, we are not told what to think: Here are three different takes on the subject.
September 7, 2023 Every Day Personal Prayer
Mourning: A Rabbi's Own Perspective

Mourning: A Rabbi’s Own Perspective

A rabbi, familiar with leading others through the process of mourning, goes through the same. Rabbi David Baum remembers his mother.
August 25, 2023 Death and Dying Holidays
5 Kavanot for Elul

5 Kavanot for Elul

Here are 5 kavanot, intentions, for the days and weeks of Elul, approaching the Holy Days. This includes poems, books, and self-reflection.
, August 17, 2023 Elul High Holidays
What Am I Afraid Of?

What Am I Afraid Of?

As we continue the work of Elul, examining the words of Psalm 27 can teach us about going beyond the inner voices and what we ...
August 17, 2023 Elul High Holidays
Celebrating the High Holy Days From Home

Celebrating the High Holy Days From Home

Celebrating the high holy days from home gives us ample opportunity to bring the sacred even further into our lives.
August 13, 2023 Elul High Holidays
Tu B'av: A Day For Joyous Love

Tu B’av: A Day For Joyous Love

Tu B'av, a minor summer holiday following Tisha B'av commemorates joyous events in Jewish history and celebrates love.
July 31, 2023 Holidays Living
The Book of Lamentations: Ten Responses to Tragedy & Grief

The Book of Lamentations: Ten Responses to Tragedy & Grief

Explore these ten responses that the Book of Lamentations presents to deal with tragedy and grief. View Tishah B'av through these responses.
July 25, 2023 Holidays Reflections on Tisha B'av
Ensuring the Wall Stands Firm

Ensuring the Wall Stands Firm

Tishah B'av reminds us to "be active, even proactive," to ensure the walls of our lives stand firm, just as our ancestors did.
July 25, 2023 Holidays Tisha B’Av
Bringing Juneteenth onto the Bimah

Bringing Juneteenth onto the Bimah

Bringing Juneteenth into synagogues signifies that Black Jews are not a footnote in the Jewish story but core parts of our communities.
, June 12, 2023 Holidays Juneteenth (US)
Fatherhood as a Jewish Stay-at-Home Dad

Fatherhood as a Jewish Stay-at-Home Dad

Fatherhood has been a journey of obligation, an exploration of identity, and an opportunity to experience life through my child's eyes.
June 12, 2023 Father's Day Holidays

An En-Dairying Holiday: The Custom of Enjoying Milk Meals on Shavuot

While the original reason for consuming milk meals on Shavuot has likely been lost, many theories and interpretations remain.
May 10, 2023 Holidays Observing Shavuot
What is Healthy Jewish Pride?

What is Healthy Jewish Pride?

What is healthy Jewish pride? While exploring the past, present, and future of Chanukah, Rabbi Bernat-Kunin proposes a new home ritual.
May 10, 2023 Hanukkah Hanukkah Reflections

Fasting While Ill

It is considered forbidden to fast on fast days if injurious to one’s health, for the sake of performing positive commandments.
, May 10, 2023 Fasting on Tisha B'av Health

When Using Tribal Distinctions, How Might Women Be Called Up for Aliyot?

While writing a teshuvah on changing our language for aliyot to kohenet from bat kohen, Rabbi David J Fine, PhD, reflects on egalitarianism.
April 30, 2023 Blessings CJLS
The 49-Day Omer Challenge

The 49-Day Omer Challenge

Exploring the mitzvah of counting the omer as a practice of (good) habit formation-- a 49 day omer challenge.
April 11, 2023 Holidays Omer Intentions
Yachatz Brokenness and Wholeness

Yachatz: Brokenness and Wholeness

One explanation offered by the Sages for Yachatz in the seder is that it helps promote making the world less broken, if not completely whole.
April 3, 2023 Holidays Passover
Climate Disruption and Passover

Climate Disruption and Passover

Let’s do more than remember our refugee origin story and include how climate change and disruption are leading to new refugees.
April 3, 2023 Climate and Environment Climate change
Mujaddara on Passover

Mujaddara on Passover

How my family created and passed down cultural traditions, and how the Conservative Teshuvah on Kitniyot impacts our life outside the academy.
March 19, 2023 Food Halakhah
Why Is Diversity Important at the Passover Seder?

Why Is Diversity Important at the Passover Seder?

This is why I think my family's tradition of inviting a non-Jew each year to the Passover seder is important.
March 19, 2023 Holidays How to observe Passover
When Can a Passover Seder Start Early?

When Can a Passover Seder Start Early? Other Festivals?

When is the earliest time that we can begin observing Jewish festivals, on first or second day of Yom Tov, in particular, the Passover seder?
March 19, 2023 CJLS Halakhah
Why I Love Hamentaschen

Why I Love Hamentaschen

Making hamentaschen has been a powerful tradition for me throughout my entire life and brings me tremendous joy.
March 5, 2023 Holidays Purim

Purim: Embracing the Unconventional

Purim celebrates unexpected heroes as role models. Those heroes, Esther and Mordechai encourage us to be our full selves.
March 5, 2023 Holidays Purim
A Guide To Your First Passover Seder

A Guide To Hosting Your First Passover Seder

It can be daunting to prepare for your first seder. We've put together a collection of great posts that will help you get started.
February 20, 2023 Holidays Passover
How can I celebrate Rosh Hodesh?

How can I celebrate Rosh Hodesh?

Rosh Hodesh is less hierarchical and more open to creative interpretation than most Jewish occasions/events. The possibilities are endless.
February 14, 2023 Holidays Rosh Hodesh
The Four Mitzvot of Purim

The Four Mitzvot of Purim

Purim has something for everyone. In celebrating the Purim, our tradition outlines four special mitzvot for the holiday.
February 5, 2023 Food Holidays
Special Shabbats leading up to Purim and Passover

What are the Special Sabbaths Before Purim and Passover?

A series of special Shabbatot with special Torah readings precede Purim and Passover.
, February 5, 2023 Observing Purim Passover
Megillah scroll celebrating Purim in Synagogue

Celebrating Purim in Synagogue

Tradition dictates that Purim be observed on the fourteenth day of Adar, and begins with the recitation of the regular evening service.
, February 5, 2023 Observing Purim Purim
Is Alcohol the best way to celebrate Purim?

Is Alcohol the best way to celebrate Purim?

According to a well-known custom, drinking – and drinking to excess – on Purim is required for Jews celebrating the holiday. What is the origin ...
, February 5, 2023 Halakhah Learning
Festivities and food on Purim

Festivities, Food, and Mitzvot on Purim

Purim is celebrated with days of feasting and merrymaking, and occasion for sending gifts to one another and gifts for the poor.
, February 5, 2023 Food Holidays
What is Purim and When is it Celebrated?

What is Purim and When is it Celebrated?

Purim is about the struggle of identity against assimilation, the value of tolerance, and to live proudly as Jews in an ocean of non-Jews.
, January 31, 2023 Holidays Purim
The Secrets of Tu Bishvat

The Secrets of Tu Bishvat

A Tu Bishvat secret: If managed carefully, the seven species can go a long way to keeping a person fed for a whole year.
January 31, 2023 Holidays Tu Bishvat
Blurry orchard with the words What is tu bishvat?

What is Tu Bishvat?

Tu Bishvat, the new year for Trees, can remind us that the world is God’s sacred gift to humanity, a precious legacy entrusted to our ...
, January 24, 2023 Holidays Tu Bishvat
The Mystery of “Eyn Keloheinu”

The Mystery of “Eyn Keloheinu”

What is the mystery of Eyn Keloheinu? How do we unravel the contradiction that seems to be present within this prayer?
January 4, 2023 Liturgy Prayer
Miracles: The Power of One Letter

Miracles: The Power of One Letter

Conservative/Masorti prayer books include the Hebrew letter "vav" in the blessing for the miracle of Hanukkah. What is its secret?
December 21, 2022 Hanukkah Hanukkah Reflections
DIY Hanukkah and the Potato Menorah

DIY Hanukkah and the Potato Menorah

DIY Hanukkah: My custom of making a potato menorah and why DIY Judaica can provide a crucial connection to Judaism.
December 11, 2022 Food Hanukkah
Liturgy on Ḥanukkah

Liturgical Changes on Hanukkah

Liturgy on Hanukkah includes Hallel and additions to the Amidah. There are also special Torah readings, maftirs, and haftarot.
, December 8, 2022 Hanukkah Holidays
Songs for Hanukkah

Songs for Hanukkah

Hanukkah songs include those that follow candle lighting, as well as S'vivon sov sov sov, Hanukkah O'Hanukkah, and Neir Li.
December 6, 2022 Hanukkah Holidays
The Menorah

What is The Menorah?

The central mitzvah of Ḥanukkah is the lighting of the menorah at home and in the synagogue. This brings light to the darker winter months. ...
, December 6, 2022 Hanukkah Holidays
Customs for Hanukkah

Customs for Hanukkah

Beyond lighting the menorah, Hanukkah customs include special foods, the dreidel and gift-giving, especially when spending time with family.
, December 6, 2022 Food Hanukkah
Hanukkah Candle Lighting

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.
, December 5, 2022 Hanukkah Holidays
Hanukkah: History and Context

Hanukkah: History and Context

What is Hanukkah's historical context? What does it actually commemorate? Who was Judah and the Maccabees?
, November 30, 2022 Hanukkah Holidays

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