Spin the Dreidel
I have a little dreidel I made it out of clay And when it's dry and ready With dreidel I shall play! The dreidel is a four-sided top, with a single Hebrew letter on each of its sides.…
Chanukah and Divine Order
Chanukah always overlaps with at least one Shabbat (if not two), and since Chanukah begins on the 25th of Kislev and lasts for eight days, the holiday always coincides with the…
Welcoming Chanukah and Shabbat
Later this afternoon, as we welcome the third night of Chanukah by lighting the menorah, and Shabbat, by lighting Shabbat candles, appreciate the special opportunity we have been given to…
The Challenge of Fitting In
The weekly Torah reading of Mikeitz (Genesis 41:1-44:17), which almost always coincides with Chanukah, tells the story of the rise of Joseph the son of Jacob from slave to viceroy. And…
The Chanukah Blessings
Tonight, on the first night of Chanukah, one candle/light is placed on the far right of the menorah. Each succeeding night, one candle/light is added to the left of the previous night’s…
Jewish Light Burns Bright
Beginning tonight, through the eighth night on January 1st, light your Chanukah menorah and show your Jewish brothers and sisters, wherever they may be, that the "Jewish Light Burns…
These Lights We Kindle
While the mitzvah of lighting the menorah is an outward-focused mitzvah – the menorah is lit in a window or doorway for all to see – it is also an opportunity for personal reflection on…
He is Always There
When reciting Ha’nayrot Halalu after lighting the menorah, remember how God brought salvation to the Jewish people during the events that transpired on Chanukah.
Mikeitz 5785-2024
“Unexpected Parallels between Mikeitz and the Story of Chanukah” (updated and revised from Mikeitz 5768-2007) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Mikeitz, is almost…
The 25th of Kislev
It is not uncommon to find that significant events in Jewish history occurred on the same day but in different years, on the Jewish calendar. For instance, Tisha b’Av (9th of Av), the day…
Real Inspiration
Let the holiday of Chanukah serve as an inspiration to dedicate yourself to include more Jewish learning in your daily life. Consider purchasing a Jewish text to study, or resolve to…
Judah, Son of Jacob
When Judah, the fourth son of Leah and Jacob was born, Leah said, “This time let me gratefully praise God” (based on the Hebrew infinitive, l’hodot, “to praise”). Judah first demonstrated…
Taking Responsibility
Study Judah’s actions vis-a-vis Tamar to appreciate the true meaning of taking responsibility, not withstanding his personal humiliation. There is much to learn about Judah and his…
The Story of Degania
Since many of the early settlers in pre-state Palestine identified with the socialist ideology, Kibbutzim (communal farms or settlements) were the desired living arrangement.The first…
Volunteer on a Kibbutz on Your Next Trip to Israel
Whether you seek a secular kibbutz experience or a religious one, the experience will undoubtedly be memorable and worthwhile.
The Story of Chanukah
Around the year 167 B.C.E., the Syrian-Greek rulers of Judea tried to force the Jews to assimilate into Hellenic culture. They summoned the Jews to the town squares where they were forced…
Start Planning
Stock up on oil or candles and prepare your menorah, dreidels and gelt, Yiddish for coins, in anticipation of the upcoming holiday of Chanukah that begins on Wednesday evening, December…
America’s First Synagogue
In 1656, Shearith Israel became the first synagogue that was established in the territory that came to be known as the United States. The synagogue, also known as the Spanish and…
Do Your Research
When visiting New York City, plan a trip to visit Congregation Shearith Israel (the Spanish Portuguese Synagogue) to study its rich and fascinating history.
On One Foot
Jewish Treats was asked to summarize the Jewish faith in one tweet. For those unfamiliar with the X/Twitter format, that means in 280 characters or less, which seems, at first glance, a…
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
Study the Torah, the blueprint for Jewish life, to learn how to more fully embrace this adage and become a mentsch, a good and decent person, in the process.
Vayeishev 5785-2024
“The Vast Majority of the Time, G-d Rules the World!” (updated and revised from Vayeishev 5766-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Unbeknownst to all the characters who play significant…
A Dotted Kiss
Jacob left the land of Canaan to avoid the murderous rage of his brother Esau. According to the Midrash, he remained away for 22 years. Although he left alone, he returned with a…
A True Face
Be open and honest in your interactions with other people. There is a a well-known tradition that Esau hates Jacob. Yet when they met after 22 years of not having seen each other they…
Lancaster Jews
Many people do not realize that Lancaster, Pennsylvania, home to the famous Amish community, was home to one of the few active Jewish communities during the colonial era and has the…
Touring the States
When traveling throughout the United States, make it a point to visit Jewish historical landmarks.
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.