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

Holiday Greetings

The standard pre-Rosh Hashana greeting of “K’Tiva Va’Chatima Tova,” May you be written and sealed for good, is deduced from a Talmudic discussion concerning the three heavenly books that…

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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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Weekly Message,Haazinu,Rosh Hashana

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

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…

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Jewish Treats

Appealing for God’s Mercy

As we prepare for the upcoming High Holidays, contemplate the words of the "Thirteen Attributes of God’s Mercy" and recognize the opportunity that we all have to come closer to God. With…

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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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