The Jewish calendar has many important holidays, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, Pesach, Yom Ha-Shoah, Shavu’ot, and Shabbat. Dates can be confusing as they are based on the Jewish calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. Many people are familiar with Hanukkah, Pesach and Rosh Hashanah, three major Jewish holidays, but there […]
Jewish meditation aims to achieve spirituality and a better understanding of Judaism. Techniques include chanting Torah verses, meditative prayer, and analytical study of the Torah. The tradition is based on ancient texts, including Sefer Yetzirah, which emphasizes the power of words in transforming the soul. Kabbalah meditation techniques focus on the oneness of the universe […]
Jewish cuisine is diverse, with different groups cooking different foods based on regional traditions. All Jewish cuisine is kosher, but can include anything from Apfelstrudel to Vorschmack. Jewish cuisine does not include pork or shellfish and dairy and meats are traditionally prepared and served separately. Jewish cuisine has religious symbolism, and at certain times of […]
Jewish seminaries offer graduate education in Jewish studies, preparing students for careers as rabbis, cantors, and other religious leaders. Programs vary by branch of Judaism and typically take four to six years to complete, including internships and fieldwork. Graduates may pursue careers in congregational leadership, chaplaincy, social work, education, or academia. A Jewish seminary is […]
The term “Jewish hijab” is sometimes used to describe the head covering worn by some Jewish women after marriage, but the term “hijab” is not used within Jewish communities. Modesty codes in Judaism are known as tzniut, and the styles worn as part of the Muslim and Jewish hijab are also distinct. In Muslim communities, […]
The myth of Jewish guilt is not rooted in Judaism and is considered an urban legend. It is often related to the concept of repentance, but popular stereotypes present it as an apology for deeds. While some adherents may engage in guilt-inducing activities, there is nothing uniquely Jewish about it. The stereotype can lead to […]
The term “Jew” is technically correct when referring to someone of Jewish descent or faith, but it has negative connotations due to anti-Semitic attitudes. The plural form “Jews” and “Judaism” are appropriate, but “Jew” should not be used as an adjective and its acceptability as a noun is questionable. Its history as a pejorative has […]
Jewish theology studies God’s nature and divine laws in Judaism through canonized religious texts and past authorities. It includes written and oral law, and scholars analyze past works to produce reasoned arguments for religious questions. Different schools of thought can lead to different answers and movements within Judaism. Jewish theology is the study of the […]
There are three main calendars: the Western/Christian/Gregorian, Islamic/Hijri, and Hebrew/Jewish. They differ in their main events, month/year length, and start of day. The Gregorian calendar is based on the Julian calendar and Christ’s birth. The Islamic calendar is based on the emigration of Prophet Muhammad, while the Jewish calendar is based on the creation. The […]
