End of Year Gift Exchange
There is a great deal of gift-giving going on at this time of year. Beyond friends and family, many feel obligated to give end of the year gifts to local specialists (such as one’s hair…
Who Were Their Mothers?
In honor of yesterday’s Mother’s Day Celebration, Jewish Treats presents a brief introduction to some of the unnamed mothers of well-known Biblical personalities. The mother of King David…
The Tragedy of Jealousy
The Talmud (Yevamot 62b) relates that “Rabbi Akiva had 12,000 pairs of students...and all of them died in one period of time because they did not act with respect toward each…
No Nicknames
Did you have a nickname growing up? Did you use it, or was it a name reserved for use by your closest friends or just family? It is fascinating to note that Jewish law frowns upon…
Supply List
What do gold, silver and copper; aqua, purple and red-dyed wool; linen, goat hair, animal skins, acacia wood, olive oil, spices and gems have in common? These were the primary items that…
Dan, Son of Jacob
Rachel had Jacob’s heart, Leah had his children. For four long years, Rachel watched her sister give birth to son after son until she could bear it no longer. Frustrated but determined,…
For Her Protection
Historically, women (and children) have been the hardest hit victims of war. Beyond the killing, looting and pillaging that, until modern times (and some would argue that things are not…
Sitting Shiva
Sitting shiva is the Jewish method of mourning the dead. A person has an obligation to mourn for his/her seven closest relations: spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son or…
A Vow Like No Other
Jews are not ascetics. In fact, according to Jewish philosophy, the Jew’s job is to take the physical and draw out its spiritual nature. One can’t do that when trying to avoid the…