Jewish Treats

A Midsummer Night’s Shabbat

“Making early Shabbat,” means beginning Shabbat well before sunset. This is an especially important accommodation for residents of cities where the summer sun may not set until 9 or 10 at…

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Jewish Treats

Counting Shabbat

“And the maiden [Esther] pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily provided her with her ointments, along with her appointed rations, and with the seven maids, which…

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Jewish Treats

The Four Mitzvot of Purim

This year, Purim will be celebrated on Sunday, March 12th (beginning Saturday evening, March 11th, after sunset). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading - Book of…

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Jewish Treats

What Is Isru Chag?

The day after vacation is often a time of distraction and disorientation. The same is true of the day following a religious holiday, especially after one of the week-long holidays…

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Jewish Treats

The Five Prohibitions of Yom Kippur

"...on the tenth of the month, you shall afflict your souls and do no work at all...for on that day God will forgive you and cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before…

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Jewish Treats

Wind Power

When the European Wind Energy Association launched the first Wind Day in 2007 (which became Global Wind Day in 2009 in coordination with the Global Wind Energy Council), it was probably…

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Jewish Treats

Feast of Weeks

Shavuot, which we begin celebrating Saturday night (June 12th), is the only holiday in the Torah not listed by the date on which it is to be observed. Rather, the Torah teaches that this…

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Jewish Treats

Four Mitzvot of Purim

This year, Purim will be celebrated on Thursday, March 24th (beginning Wednesday evening, March 23rd, after sunset). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading - Book…

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Jewish Treats

Skeptic Questioning

Today, January 13, is National Skeptics Day, a day that encourages people to ask questions. One might be inclined to ask whether Judaism has any room for skepticism, since faith,…

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Jewish Treats

Building Off Failure

Today, October 13, is marked as the “International Day for Failure,” a day meant to encourage people to “celebrate our shortcomings and failures, share our experiences and promote the…

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