Appreciating the Good
If you live in a country such as the United States where kosher slaughter is permitted, be thankful, and recognize that it’s not always the case, especially in parts of Europe today.
The Jewish Ghost Town of Utah
As a dry wind blows across the dusty plains just south of Gunnison, Utah, a traveler might be shocked to stumble upon a small, gated Jewish cemetery. Indeed, the burial ground is so small…
Honor The “Hoary Head”
Senior Citizen Day, an annual event observed on August 21st, is a day meant to both honor both older citizens and to remind the government that seniors are a large and powerful…
Yiddish Theatre
Learn about the Yiddish theater which was a staple of the Jewish immigrant experience in the early years of the 20th century.
The Book of Lamentations
On Tisha b’Av, the ninth of Av, one of the ways that the Jewish people demonstrate their mourning over the loss of both Holy Temples is by refraining from Torah study that brings pleasure…
Study the Book of Lamentations
To better appreciate the impact of the destruction of the Temple upon the Jewish people, click here to read the text of the Book of Eicha.
Mourning Jerusalem I: A Brief History of the First Temple
Next Monday night and Tuesday (August 12th and 13th), Jews the world over will be observing the fast of Tisha b’Av. It is on this day of the Hebrew calendar that the Jewish people mourn…
The Month of Av
The months of the Jewish year are called in the Torah by number only (the first month, second month, etc.). Over time, during the exile, the months assumed the names given to them by host…
Preparing for the Nine Days
The Mishna, in Tractate Ta’anit 27b, teaches that when the month of Av begins, we curtail our joy. Study this overview and be prepared for the “Nine Days” which began last night with the…
Immersing the Vessels
When shopping for common kitchen items, a person typically does not ask the sales clerk, “Who manufactured them?” But, this information determines whether or not that individual must…