Can I use artificial lights in my Hanukkah menorah?
How Do We Light the Hanukkah Menorah?
A menorah refers to a candelabrum, usually one with seven branches.
Why do we eat latkes on Hanukkah?
A common explanation is that we eat latkes (potato pancakes) because they are cooked in oil and this remind us of the miracle that a single cruse of oil found in the Temple lasted for eight nights.
Are resolutions a Jewish concept?
It is always appropriate to commit to resolutions that will improve our lives, the lives of those around us, and the larger world.
My last name is Cohen, and I was told that Jews with this name have a special designation. Is this true?
According to the Torah, one is a Kohen, a Levite or an Israelite.
Why Do We Observe Shavuot by Studying All Night?
Since the Rabbinic period, Shavuot has been tied to the story of the Israelites receiving the Torah at Sinai. Because of this, Shavuot has come to be dedicated to the idea of Torah study and Jewish education.
Stories We Tell: Hero Israel
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah – T'rumah: Building a Sacred Space
Parashat T'ruma describes building a mishkan, a sacred space, and the first central praying place in Jewish life. People were asked to give both their skills and their material possessions to build it, and together they created something both beautiful and portable.