Three Times Strong
One of the beautiful aspects of Jewish living is that it often strives to bring together the spiritual and the practical. Judaism is a growth-oriented religion. At the same time, it is…
Three Times the Charm
Consider taking on a new mitzvah, going for a daily walk or "unplugging" from mobile devices for an hour each day, and you may find that the more you do it, the more likely it is that it…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
Happy for Rain
Be especially thankful when it rains enough for your land to flourish and all of your water needs are met.
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…
Celebrate Sukkot Across America
Click here to find out if a Sukkot Across America event will be taking place in your community this year.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
Shopping Time
Contact your synagogue or local Jewish community center to find a location to purchase a beautiful lulav and etrog for Sukkot.
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…
Build it and They Will Come
Enhance your celebration of the joyous holiday of Sukkot by building your own sukkah.
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…
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…
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”…
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…