Chanukah: What’s The Mitzvah?
With Chanukah only two weeks away (it begins on Wednesday night, December 25th), here’s a quiz: What is the primary mitzvah of Chanukah? a) Eating latkes (potato pancakes) b) Giving…
Chanukah’s Coming
With Chanukah set to begin in two weeks, make sure to buy beautiful candles or wicks and oil, so that your menorah will burn nicely and beautifully.
The Author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
In honor of Human Rights Day, December 10th, Jewish Treats presents a brief biography of René Samuel Cassin (1887 – 1976), the Jewish author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.…
Vayishlach 5785-2024
“The Encounter” (updated and revised from Vayishlach 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayishlach, we read of the dramatic encounter between Jacob…
Three Steps Forward, Three Steps Back
While Jewish prayer has many aspects that are introspective, prayer is also designed to serve as a vehicle of communication with the Divine. The central focus of every prayer service is…
Meaningful Steps
When taking three steps forward to begin the Amidah, the silent devotion, consider how fortunate we are to be able to connect each day with the King of kings in an intimate manner.
Rachel’s Curse
Reward and punishment are complicated concepts. Suffice it to say that Divine intervention in the world is often through seemingly mundane acts. For instance, the Torah describes the…
Powerful Words
Before speaking, consider the potential impact that your words may have on others. Given the ultimate impact that the words, “with whomever you find your gods, that person shall not…
This Tomato Was Grown Where?
The view of Judaism is that humankind has the unique ability to synthesize the physical and the spiritual elements of life. Hence, Jewish law requires Jews to recite a blessing over all…
Clean and Fresh
Remember that even hydroponic plants may need to be carefully checked to prevent eating insects and bugs.
For Dew and Rain
As indicated by Jewish prayer, the rainy season in the land of Israel begins just after the holiday of Sukkot and ends at the start of Passover. During this time, there are two special…
It’s Good For You
Remember tonight to begin reciting v’tein tal u’matar, the special insertion in the Amidah associated with a person’s overall success.
Jews in the Land of Lincoln
The first known Jewish resident of what is now the state of Illinois was John Hays, a grandson of a New York Jew, who moved west to Cahokia, IL in 1793. Hays was a farmer and trader who,…
Jewish Illinois
Before traveling, try to learn the Jewish history about the places you plan to visit.
Vayeitzei 5785-2024
“Rachel: Portrait of a Matriarch” (updated and revised from Vayeitzei 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Vayeitzei, we are given, perhaps, the most…
Picking Up Pigskin
The Jewish dietary laws prohibit Jews from eating any food products derived from animals that do not have both split hooves and chew their cud. It is not an uncommon assumption that Jews…
Ready, Set, Hike!
Ask a family member or some friends to join you and toss around the football.
Biblical Twins
Twins have long been a source of great fascination for many, as demonstrated by the vast number of studies and stories that have used twins as their subject. Twins, however, do not seem…
Learn More
Delve into the stories of the biblical twins to better understand the dynamic between each of the twins. There is much to learn about the Biblical Patriarchs and Matriarchs and to…
The Bird of Thanks
On Thanksgiving Day, it is customary in the United States to eat a turkey dinner. The Hebrew name for turkey is “tar’negol hodu,” literally an “Indian Rooster.” It came by this name…
Remember to Say Thank You
Thanksgiving is a reminder that we should always express hakarat hatov (Hebrew for gratitude) to someone when it is due.
Caveat Emptor…Let the Buyer Beware (And the Seller Too)
This Friday is “Black Friday,” the day on which retailers across America try to assure their profits for the year by offering outrageous sales. Each store tries to outsell its…
Treat for Shabbat?
While out doing your Black Friday shopping later this week, pick up something special to enhance your Shabbat.
You Border on the Adriatic
For many Americans, knowledge of Albania may derive from a famous scene in the sitcom “Cheers,” where “Coach” helps “Sam” study geography via the use of songs. They did this by singing,…
Learn About Righteous Gentiles
Amid periods of tragedy, heroes emerge, many of whom are non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews. Learn about them and try to thank them and/or their descendants.
Toledot 5785-2024
“Digging Wells” (updated and revised from Toledot 5765-2004) by, Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week’s parasha, parashat Toledot, we read of a famine, (Genesis 26), that once again…
Baron Edmond James de Rothschild
Although he came from a prominent banking family and was employed in the family bank, Baron Edmond James de Rothschild (born August 19, 1845) was best known for his love of art and his…
Modern Day Benefactors
There is much to learn from the many Jewish benefactors, who, like Baron Edmond James de Rothschild, helped lay the foundation for modern day Israel.
Placing A Veil
One of the most meaningful customs of a traditional Ashkenazi wedding is the ceremony known as the badeken. The term badeken* is Yiddish for covering, as this is the moment when the bride…