The First Rabbi in America

The first ordained rabbi to serve in an American congregation was Rabbi Abraham Joseph Rice (originally Reiss, 1800-1862). After studying in Germany, in Wurzburg and then Fuerth, Rice was…

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Time to Ask

When you have questions about Jewish observance, ask a rabbi.

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Noah 5785-2024

“Eleven Lessons from Noah’s Ark” (updated and revised from Noah 5765-2004) By Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Noah, we read of the great deluge that inundated…

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No Stumbling Blocks Please

In honor of World Blindness Awareness Month, Jewish Treats explores the Torah admonition and prohibition, “Do not put a stumbling block before the blind” (Leviticus 19:14). On the…

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Be Considerate

In honor of World Blindness Awareness Month, and following the Torah's directive, take care to avoid actions that place literal and spiritual stumbling blocks before others.

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Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah

The holiday of Shemini Atzeret, literally the “Gathering of the Eighth,” is a connected, yet independent holiday that immediately follows Sukkot, which begins tonight. During the seven…

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Chag Sameach

NJOP and Jewish Treats wish you and yours a hearty Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday!), as we celebrate the joyous holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The upcoming joyous festival of…

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The Great Hoshana

One of the names that Rosh Hashana is known by is Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment, on which God judges every person. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the day on which God finalizes His…

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Grab the Opportunity

Perform an extra good deed or mitzvah on Hoshana Rabbah to improve your chances of being granted a year full of blessing.

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Bereshith 5785-2024

“P’roo Ur’voo--Jewish Attitudes Toward Procreation” (updated and revised from Bereshith-Simchat Torah 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald For some parents, the greatest gift in life…

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Rejoicing For The World

Among the unique rituals performed on the holiday of Sukkot were the additional offerings that were sacrificed in the ancient Temple. On the first day of the holiday, 13 young bulls were…

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Happy for Rain

Be especially thankful when it rains enough for your land to flourish and all of your water needs are met.

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The Sukkot Hoshanot Service

Walk into a traditional synagogue in the middle of morning services during the week of Sukkot and you might have to take care not to be trampled upon by the circle of congregants who are…

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Celebrate Sukkot Across America

Click here to find out if a Sukkot Across America event will be taking place in your community this year.

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Everyone Does the Wave

One of the main mitzvot of the holiday of Sukkot is the waving of the Four Species: citron, palm branch, myrtle and willow. Trying to understand this mitzvah metaphorically, our sages…

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Joined Together as One

Recognize that the significance of picking up the Four Species together at once represents the symbolic joining together of all Jews regardless of background and level of prior Jewish…

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Ushpeezin

During the festival of Sukkot, the sukkah is intended to be our home. For example, since dining normally takes place in the house, on Sukkot, dining takes place in the sukkah. Because the…

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Make Everyone Feel Welcome

Aside from welcoming the Ushpeezin, the seven shepherds of Israel to your sukkah, seize the opportunity to welcome others into your sukkah, especially those who may not have a sukkah of…

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Sukkot 5785-2024

“Sukkot - The Festival of Joy” (updated and revised from Sukkot I 5767-2006) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald The festival of Sukkot is regarded as the most joyous of all the Jewish holidays.…

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The Perfect Species

At this time of the year, Jews around the globe head out in search of the perfect lulav and etrog (lulav refers to the grouping of lulav, hadassim and aravot, which, together with the…

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Shopping Time

Contact your synagogue or local Jewish community center to find a location to purchase a beautiful lulav and etrog for Sukkot.

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Build Your Own Sukkah

Webster’s Dictionary defines a Tabernacle as a temporary dwelling, which is why the Jewish holiday of Sukkot is known as the “Feast of the Tabernacles." A sukkah, however, is a lot more…

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Build it and They Will Come

Enhance your celebration of the joyous holiday of Sukkot by building your own sukkah.

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Neilah: The Final Service

While one may make requests of God or atone for transgressions at any time of the year, the first ten days of Tishrei (from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur) are considered particularly…

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Golden Opportunity

Use the prayer of Neilah and the other Yom Kippur prayers as an opportunity to connect with and come closer to God on this auspicious day. As you take the necessary steps to prepare for…

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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 God”…

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Signed and Sealed

Take the necessary steps to prepare for Yom Kippur.

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Post Labor Day Whites

When is it fashionably acceptable to wear white after Labor Day? On Yom Kippur! Many people have the custom of wearing white on Yom Kippur. In the synagogue you will often see women…

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Prepare Your Yom Kippur Wardrobe

To better appreciate and experience the significance of the day, set aside something white to wear on Yom Kippur.

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For The Sins We Committed

One of the main steps in the process of teshuva (repentance) is for penitents to confess their sins and verbalize their errors. In so doing, those who seek forgiveness for committing a…

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