Religion

Why do Jewish holidays move around on the calendar? They don't--at least not on the Jewish calendar. Originally based on lunar cycles, the Jewish calendar now in use was created when fourth...

The Jewish calendar is neither a solar calendar (365.25 days) as the Gregorian calendar is, nor is it a lunar calendar (354 or 355 days) as is the Muslim calendar. According to Jewish belief, the...

When wearing tefillin, it's important to remember that the knot is always supposed to face in towards the heart. Make sure you are wearing your tefillin correctly with guidance from a Rabbi in...

A shofar is blown from the right side of the mouth and will begin with a long sound to start with. Find out how to prepare and blow a shofar with guidance from a Rabbi in this free video on Jewish...

A kippah can be made out of any material and is worn on the top of the head to remind you that there is something above. Satisfy this Jewish obligation with help from a Rabbi in this free video on...

When caring for a shofar, make sure to clean it out with bleach and water to eliminate any odors that might accompany it at first. Discover how to care for a shofar with advice from a Rabbi in...

When laying tefillin, you'll make your blessing once the wraps are on the sides of your head. Find out how to correctly lay the head tefillin with help from a Rabbi in this free video on Jewish...

Judaism, rooted in its rich history of rabbinical tradition, and its belief in one God (first recorded monotheistic religion), and Christianity, based off of the belief in Jesus Christ (Yeshua)...

Tefillin are small black boxes worn by observant Jewish men on their heads and arms. The boxes contain biblical verses inscribed in small scrolls.

Simchat Torah literally means Happiness of the Torah. It marks the conclusion of a year's reading of the Torah--the five books of Moses--and the immediate beginning of the next year's reading. It...

The Shema is Judaism's most important prayer. Deuteronomy 6:4 states that "you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a frontlet between your eyes." This verse refers to the...

The menorah, a set of decorative candlesticks, serves as one of the oldest and most identifiable symbol of the Jewish tradition. Although most commonly associated with Chanukah, the menorah...

In the Jewish religion, a Narazite is one who has made a certain vow prescribed in the book of Numbers. Although the subject is mainly of historical interest, there are a few Jewish people in more...

Passover is a Jewish holiday celebrating the freedom of the Jews from Egyptian slavery. While many Jewish households keep kosher throughout the year, there are more particular guidelines for the...

Following the death of an immediate family member, an observant Jew has many complex obligations to fulfill. The first seven days after a loved one's death are when the closest relatives of the...

Many Jews wear a head covering called a kippah or yarmulke. Orthodox or conservative Jewish men commonly wear kippot (plural for kippah), but several other movements have kippah customs. ...

The art of creating a home cooked meal can be a deeply satisfying act. Turning vastly different ingredients into a unified whole is something that should be mastered by everyone. Learning how to...

Choosing a Prayerbook can be quite easy for others and difficult for others, heres how to choose the right Jewish prayerbook(siddur) for you.

Kippahs, or kippot in the Hebrew plural, are an instantly recognizable mark of Jewishness. They're a Jewish uniform.

Whether you're planning a casual chat with a Jewish child or have been asked to help one learn about the faith, start by matching the child's age with his or her ability to master esoteric...

"Kosher" is frequently used as a synonym for Jewish foods. But is kosher really synonymous with Jewish food? Kosher, meaning "fit" in Hebrew, refers to the Jewish dietary laws, as regards the...

Kabbalah (Hebrew for "received tradition") is a school of Jewish mysticism dedicated to exploring the nature and relationships of God, man and the universe. It is also known as Kabala, Cabala or...

Whether or not a Jewish boy and his family choose to celebrate his bar mitzvah, on his 13th birthday he becomes a man according to Jewish tradition. That means he becomes obligated to obey the...

Jewish food rules are determined by the Kashrut, part of Jewish law. Despite popular belief, foods to not have to be blessed by a rabbi to make them kosher. A food is considered kosher by the way...

The Jewish view on death and the afterlife is complex, if partially due to the lack of a full consensus. The Jewish faith is built primarily on the responsibilities and duties of an adherent...

Jews put on certain ritual garb specifically for prayer, but observant Jews may also cover their heads in reverence for the deity or wear modest clothing as prescribed by Jewish law. Certain sects...

If you're Jewish, you are undoubtedly familiar with the little rectangular box to the right of the front door of Jewish homes. This box, called a mezuzah, gets its name from the Hebrew word for...

Jesus does not play an active role in the Jewish religion. Although the historical figure of Jesus was known to be Jewish, he is not incorporated into Jewish religious thought or law.

Jewish men have long, although not always, followed the practice of their priestly class and covered their heads while engaged in prayer. Although not technically a commandment, covering one's...

Theology is the study of faith and belief from the point of view of a particular religion or spiritual tradition. The word "theology" can be traced back through Old French and Latin to the Greek...

The shofar, or ram's horn trumpet, has long been associated with Judaism. It has a prominent place in the most important holidays of the Jewish calendar cycle, and has even been used on momentous...

A kippa, or kippah (kippot is plural), is a cap with religious significance within Judaism. It is traditionally worn by men within both the Conservative and Reform sections. The basic shape of a...

Liturgical Christian churches have an annual calendar for the church year that cycles through the life of Jesus. The first season in the church year, Advent, starts four weeks before Christmas...

Kabbalah is a Jewish mystical tradition with its roots in the first century BCE, although traditional belief holds that Kabbalah is as old as the creation of humanity. Jewish mysticism today is...

Memorials to the dead at a grave site take many forms--wreaths, bouquets of flowers, small items the deceased person enjoyed while they were alive, or notes and photos encased in plastic sleeves....

The yarmulka, or "kippah," is one of Judaim's most recognizable traditions. In fact, wearing kippot can be seen as a badge by which Jews announce themselves publicly. Kippot are an old...

A tallit, also known as a prayer shawl, is a rectangular shawl with fringes at the corners (tzitzit) that Jewish men wear during certain prayer services. Tallitot (the Hebrew plural of tallit) are...

Along with the Ark of the Covenant, the Yalmuka and the Torah scroll, the prayer shawl is a prominent and revered element of Judaic worship tradition. A particular Christian movement that...

Kippot are head coverings that Jewish men wear to show respect for God. The Hebrew word "kippot" is a plural form, and the singular forms "kippah" and "yarmulke" (in Yiddish) may sound more...

Tefillin are leather boxes in the shape of a cube. They are painted black and attached to leather straps to be worn on the head and upper arm. The boxes are used by people who practice the Jewish...

A prayer shawl, also known as a tallit (in Hebrew) or a tallis (in Yiddish), is a rectangular garment with fringes (tzitzit) on the corners. Jewish men (and some women) wear prayer shawls during...

Prayer shawls are an important part of the Jewish religion. They are worn by men at all special occasions, such as weddings, funerals, circumcisions and bar mitzvahs. The Jewish flag is based on...

A good Hanukkah party starts with decorations and can help introduce non-Jews to Jewish traditions. Throw the best Hanukkah party with advice from this free video on Jewish traditions.

A Bat Miztvah dress should be beautiful and should stay comfortable after the religious ceremony as the party continues. Choose the best Bat Mitzvah dress with tips in this free video on Jewish...

Bar Mitzvahs involve lighting 13 candles, and usually elders in the Jewish community or family help during the ceremony. Plan Bar Mitzvah candle lighting with advice from this free video on Jewish...

A Bar Mitzvah is an important day in the life of a Jewish boy, and it the party should be planned around him. Plan Bar Mitzvah candle lighting with advice from this free video on Jewish traditions.

The Passover meal, in Jewish tradition, involves foods symbolic of the Hebrew escape from Egypt. Learn the meaning behind symbolic foods in Passover from this free video on Jewish traditions.

The Afikoman, a reserved piece of matzah, is hidden during Passover in many Jewish homes as a game for children. Hide the Afikoman this Passover with the tips from this free video on Jewish...

Books or literature make great Bar or Bat Mitzvah gifts. Give the best Bar or Bat Mitzvah gifts with advice from this free video on Jewish traditions.

When planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, let the interests of the new adults set the theme. Plan the best Bar or Bat Mitzvah with advice from this free video on Jewish traditions.