Jewish Treats

The Fast of Gedaliah (Tzom Gedaliah)

The Fast of Gedaliah is observed to commemorate the assassination of Gedaliah, the son of Achikam, which is described in the last chapter of the Second Book of Kings. This murder resulted…

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Jewish Treats

Send Your Best

On behalf of NJOP, Jewish Treats would like to wish all of our fans and followers “L’shana Tova Tikatayhvu," may we all be inscribed for a year of good health and happiness. To better…

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Jewish Treats

Tashlich

The popular Rosh Hashana tashlich ritual is a tradition that is dear to all the many diverse Jewish communities. Tashlich literally translates as, “You will throw.” But what, exactly, is…

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Rosh Hashana,Weekly Message,Haazinu

Rosh Hashana/Haazinu 5785-2024

“Jewish Normal, Is Not Very Normal” (updated and revised from Haazinu-Rosh Hashana 5774-2013) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Haazinu, Moses, speaking to the…

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Jewish Treats

Avinu Malkeinu

No prayer so thoroughly captures the Jewish people’s dual relationship with God as does the prayer Avinu Malkeinu, “Our Father, Our King.” While Avinu Malkeinu is a prayer widely known to…

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Jewish Treats

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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Jewish Treats

Teshuva: To Where Are We Returning?

The process of introspection and repentance in order to accomplish transformation really begins a month before Rosh Hashana, with the advent of the Hebrew month of Elul. During this…

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Nitzavim,Weekly Message,Vayeilech

Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5784-2024

“Choosing Life” (updated and revised from Nitzavim-Vayeilech 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald There’s something very distinctive about the arrival of the Jewish New Year. Whenever…

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Jewish Treats

Saying 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…

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Jewish Treats

Putting Life Into Perspective

Consider moments during the past year that seemed, on the surface, to be particularly bleak, but in hindsight, when looking at the bigger picture, things turned out much better than…

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