Judaism

Jewish Foods and Their Cultural Impact

February 1, 2010 History

Find any Jewish celebration, and you are bound to find wonderful food to accompany it. Some foods are prepared in a traditional style, all of which goes back to certain Scriptures that call for that preparation. For instance, the prohibition of making fire on the Sabbath has led to the use of slow cooking stews [...]

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Lighting the Menorah for Hanukkah

December 14, 2009 Events

During the end of November or early December, Hanukkah begins. It happens on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. The word “Hanukkah” means “Rededication,” and is meant to remember the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BC, after the Jewish soldiers wrestled it back from the Syrian-Greek soldiers. The [...]

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How Did Judaism Begin?

November 30, 2009 Events

The central idea of the Jewish faith is simple: There is one God. 4000 years ago, Abraham promoted that idea, and at the time it was quite radical. Abraham was a Hebrew man from the Middle East, where everyone believed in many gods, all of which were responsible for different things. The thought of one [...]

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Jewish Rituals for the Birth of Babies

August 24, 2009 Events

In the last part of our series concerning Jewish customs and traditions, we take a look at the Simchat Bat, the naming ceremony for Jewish girls, and the Brit Milah, the naming ceremony for Jewish boys. The Brit Milah. The naming ceremony for a boy is especially important in Jewish tradition. It is the third [...]

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A Union of Faith: The Traditional Jewish Wedding

August 19, 2009 Events

Jewish tradition teaches that marriage is two people made into one. Just as Adam and Eve were created of one body, so are the two people joined into marriage – they are returning to the state of one being. If God is not part of the union, the couple will not have a long and [...]

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