Shekinah Goddess of the Jews
When I think of Judaism, I think of a monotheistic religion, that worships a patriarchal God. But, in the Hebrew Bible in the book of Jeremiah 7: 17-18 God speaks …
Conservative Judaism Explained
It was not until the Jewish people began to migrate across the pod to American that the various terms for Judaism appeared – Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Jews in the …
Significance of the Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant is one the most well known, and perhaps one of the most mysterious artifacts of the Jewish and Christian religions. When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem …
Pondering Israels Law of Return
Not that long ago, Rabbi Shlomo Amar tried to force a change in Israel’s Law of Return which would have made it much more difficult for many people wishing to …
Jewish Culture in America Today
“I have a business proposition for you.” Amit’s Israeli accent was thick and I was having trouble understanding him over the phone. I pushed the little piece of plastic further …
Elijah’s Cup Anticipating Messiah
To Jewish people, Elijah’s cup at the Passover Seder dinner symbolizes an expectant hope for the coming of Elijah to announce the Messiah. Observant Jews practice the Passover Seder each …
The Accomplishments of King David
He was born son of Jesse and became known as the fearless shepherd boy slayer of giants (Goliath). Young David learned the value of true friendship from Jonathon, son of …
Jewish History and Faith Models for Overcoming Suffering
Go back in time, and you won’t be able to disagree with me. We have been slaves, we have been killed, we have been driven from our lands and much …
Solomons Temple Archaeology of Palestine
Solomon’s Temple – the archaeology of Palestine As far as archaeological remains go, historians have no solid evidence from the first temple, the building itself as well as the furnishings. …
Understand the Blesseing of Yom Kippur
The name Yom Kippur translates to Day of Atonement. This is probably the most celebrated of the Jewish holidays. The purpose of the holiday is to make your last appeal …
Children of the Holocaust
During the holocaust, both German and Jewish children, some a mere ten or eleven years old, were forced by circumstance to take on the role of caretaker, breadwinner or defender …
Redemption as Understood in Orthodox Judaism
It is known that society, at some point, will realize that evil is rooted in the uncontrolled consumption of resources. Parts of the world subjugating other parts of the world …
Who was King Solomon
Solomon is probably one of the most well-known kings of biblical times. The exact dates of his rule are disputed but he became king in about 967 BCE and ruled …
The Role of the Mother in Jewish Culture
If you read the ancient biblical text: Proverbs 31:10-31, you will read about a woman with a noble character. In the Jewish culture, a woman with these qualities is praised …
Jewish Culture in Europe Today
(Holocaust Remembrance Day is highly controversial in England. My former writing professor, Julia Pascal, made a film concerning Holocaust survivors in order to raise support.) The women’s eyes glistened as …
What is Yom Kippur Understanding Yom Kippur Yom Kippur Observances
Understanding Yom Kippur – for the Non-Jewish. Prayer, penitence, fasting and feasting mark the most important of Jewish holidays; one that is most likely to see the otherwise non-observant go …
Jewish Personal Identity and Roots
I am Jewish by birth, the child of two reform Jewish parents who believed in the “tradition” as opposed to the strict beliefs of the religion.I feel a sense of …
Passover Exodus Jewish Holidays Pesach Plagues Birte Edwards Technocrati
Passover The holiday of Passover is the celebration by Jews of the Exodus out of Egypt, out of slavery and into a life as free men. It is the first …
What is the Jewish Holiday of Tu Bshevat
Tu BShvat is a celebration of the New Year for Trees. In ancient times, ten percent of the fruit of the harvest was tithed to the priests or the poor, …
The Story of Esau and Jacob from Esau’s Point of View
Call me Esau. Or call me Edom, for that, is the name of my nation and of my people, the Edomites. I have become very wealthy and powerful, acquiring vast …
Consequences of the Holocaust
The Holocaust was a deliberately planned genocide of what Hitler termed inferior members of the human race; these included Jews, gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and homosexuals. During 1941-44 six million Jews …
Chanukah Holiday
The Hanukkah/ Chanuka (take your pick) holiday is likely the most mysterious on the Jewish calendar. Why celebrate finding a bottle of oil at all? And even if you’re going …
Reflections Hanukkah and the President
Here’s a phone message that’s guaranteed to get a return call: “This is (Ploni) calling from the White House Chief of Staff’s office. Please call back when you have a …
Ideal Bar Bat Mitzvah Gifts
The ideal Bar / Bat Mitzvah gift should have the following qualities: 1) It should be something the child will use for the rest of their life or at least …
Understanding Jewish Wedding Rituals
Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good for humanity to be alone.” We are designed to long for loving companionship, to cling to each other and become “one flesh” (Genesis …
Jewish Dating Etiquette
If you’re totally clueless about Jewish dating customs, rent the DVDs of 1971’s “Fiddler on the Roof” and 1996’s, “The Mirror Has Two Faces“. “Fiddler”, set at the end of …
The Culture Jew Preserving Ethnic Identity over Religious Observance
Just One Mississippi Redneck’s Jew Of The Metaphysical, Kaballah, Jerry Falwell, Physics, Tolerance, Forgiveness, Life, Liberty, And Justice For All I am not an expert or authority on religion, new …
Parashah Bo Moses and the Ten Plagues
The following commentary on “Parashah Bo” (Exodus 10:1-13:16) deals with the last three of the Ten Plagues. For the first seven plagues, see commentary on “Parashah Va’era”. “ADONAI said to …
A brief History of Jewish Music
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” The Jewish people have always taken this phrase very seriously. While there are not typically choirs found in a Jewish service – only …
Jewish World to come
Death is when our souls leave most of the constraints of the physical world and gradually become closer and closer to G-d for an infinity of time. Each step of …
Dubno Maggid
The Maggid of Dubno, Rabbi Yaakov (Jacob) Kranz, was born circa 1740 and died in 1804. He was a major figure on the European Jewish scene. He was a contemporary …
What Food is Eaten on Hanukkah
Traditional Hanukkah recipes and menus The Jewish festival of Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucids. The Maccabees entered the Temple to light the menorah (branched candelabra) …