Vayeilech 5782-2021
“Appreciating our own Inner Worth” (updated and revised from Vayeilech 5761-2001) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Vayeilech, is almost always read together…
Symbolic Foods
Since Rosh Hashana is the Day of Judgment, it is customary to eat simanim*, foods with symbolic meanings that invoke God’s blessing. We also recite a short prayer before eating them.…
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Learn more about, and purchase some of the special simanim, the symbolic foods that are eaten on Rosh Hashana, so that you will be able to recite the special prayers and enjoy them as we…
The Five Names of Rosh Hashana
In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashana has several names that can help us understand the importance and power of this holiday. Rosh Hashana literally means “Head of the Year,” because Rosh…
Nitzavim 5781-2021
“Striving to Reach Heaven During the Days of Awe” (updated and revised from Nitzavim 5761-2001) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This past Saturday night, August 28th, or early Sunday…
Selichot
In addition to the unique prayer services of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the High Holidays are known for one other service: selichot. A collection of religious poems and verses, selichot…
Happy Bow Tie Day
Tomorrow is Bow Tie Day, which is celebrated annually on August 28th. The bow tie originated in the 17th century with Croatian soldiers who wore them as part of their uniforms in the…
The Way It’s Tied
Appreciate how every action in Jewish life, even seemingly mundane ones like tying a bow tie on Shabbat, potentially have implications under Jewish law. This Shabbat, the Jewish community…
“And Now Let Us Say Amen…”
The word “Amen” seems to be one of those words associated with prayer throughout the Judeo-Christian culture, but what does it mean? The response "Amen" at the end of an oath or a prayer…
The Importance of Amen
Don’t miss an opportunity to recite Amen to a blessing. To see how many times the Jewish people recited Amen in this week’s parasha, study parashat Kee Tavo, this week’s Torah portion.……