"With each child, the world begins anew." (Ancient Jewish Saying)
Judaism places great importance on the naming of each new child. It is believed that the name of a person or thing is closely related to its essence. The name given to a child by a parent provides them with a connection to previous generations. It allows the parents to make a statement about their hopes and aspirations for their child. In many ways a Hebrew name brings to the newborn a sense of Jewish identity.
According to Anita Diamant in "What to Name Your Jewish Baby," "Like Adam's appointed task of giving names to all living things in Eden, naming is an exercise of power and creativity." Many parents today put a great deal of thought and energy into deciding what to name their Jewish baby.read more
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"G-d said to Abraham, 'And as for you, you shall keep My covenant - you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. At the age of eight days every male among you shall be circumcised, throughout your generations - he that is born in the household or purchased with money from any stranger who is not of your offspring. He that is born in your household or purchased with your money shall surely be circumcised. read more
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Baruch ata adonai elohenu melech ha olam, shehecheyanu, v'kiyimanu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.
Blessed are You Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe who has given us life, sustained us, and allowed us to reach this day.
This most joyous blessing is recited at the arrival of any long awaited occasion. Holidays come once a year, as does sinking your teeth into the first peach or blueberry of summer, and events such as b'nai mitzvah or the arrival of a new baby come once a lifetime (or hopefully a few times as a parent). All of these are occasions to say the Shehecheyanu.
Making a point to recite this blessing enriches one's appreciation of the little things in life, and is a wonderful Jewish tradition to invoke in the family. It can become a natural part of the growth and cycles of life - first steps, first days of school, planting a garden in the spring (and then harvesting from it), moving into a new house.
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In sickness I turn to You, O God, for comfort and help. Strengthen within me the wondrous power of healing that You have implanted in Your children. Guide my doctors and nurses that they may speed my recovery. Let my dear ones find comfort and courage in the knowledge that You are with us at all times, in sickness as in health.
May my sickness not weaken my faith in You, nor diminish my love for others. From my illness may I gain a fuller sympathy for all who suffer.
Ba-ruch a-ta Adonai, ro-fei ha-cho-lim. I praise You, O God, the Source of healing. Amen.
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Traditional Jewish practice forbids the consumption of some types of food (certain varieties of animals, animals slaughtered by any but the accepted method, the blood of mammals or birds) and some combinations of foods (roughly, meat with milk products). It mandates kitchen practices that help maintain those restrictions. These laws, known collectively as kashrut (literally, "fitness"), are observed in varying degrees among Jewish families and individuals. For those who choose to observe some or all of the system of kashrut, it serves as a frequent reminder of their distinct identity as Jews. read more
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"And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house, and upon your gates..."
These words of the Sh'ma (deuteronomy 11:13-21) are the source for the essential Jewish tradition of the mezzuzah. The mezzuzah is a small scroll ('klaf' in Hebrew )on which the words of the Sh'ma have been handwritten. The first paragraph declares, "Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One...", and continues with an individual's acceptance of God's sovereignty. The second paragraph alludes to all the good things that will come when the commandments are followed, "your days and the days of your children will be lengthened". The scroll is placed in a small box or container that is then attached, at an angle, to the doorposts of a house. read more
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THE HOW:
Hanging a Mezuza on a Jewish home is a fulfillment of the Torah's teaching, "You shall write them [the words of the Shema Yisrael, our declaration of loyalty and identity] on the doorposts of your house and upon the gates [of your city]." The Mezuza consists of a decorative container, within which is a piece of hand-written parchment conaining the words of Shema Yisrael. Remember: It's the words on that parchment that make it a Mezuza. No matter how lovely, the container is just a container!
The Mezuza is often decorated with the Hebrew letter "Shin", after one of the names of God recorded in the the Torah -- "Shaddai", which the rabbis of the Talmud interpreted as an acronym for the phrase, Shomer Delatot Yisrael, God -- the Protector of the Doorways of Israel.read more
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In today’s world, increasing numbers of individuals are finding their way to Judaism. Some have discovered the religion by means of an active search. Others may have become curious about Judaism after meeting and falling in love with a Jew. Perhaps you are related to someone who has expressed an interest in converting to Judaism. As a parent, sibling, or close friend, you may be wondering how to react to a loved one’s decision to become a Jew. This resource addresses some of those questions.
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Magnified and sanctified be God's great name in the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom soon, in our lifetime. Let us say: Amen.
May His great name be praised to all eternity.
Hallowed and honored, extolled and exalted, adored and acclaimed be the name of the Holy One, though He is above all the praises, hymns, and songs of adoration which men can utter. Let us say: Amen. more
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“The lamp of the Eternal One is the human soul” -Prov. 20:27
Death, and its accompanying sense of loss, grief and anguish, poses an intense challenge to the spiritual and psychological state of the mind of the bereaved.
Jewish practices are grounded in the unshakable belief in the sanctity of human life, the dignity of the person, and the emotional and spiritual needs of the mourners. Traditionally, we believe that humankind is created in the image of God and we are, therefore, mandated to have respect for the deceased and also the body of the deceased. This is called kevod ha-met and is the guiding principle for the Jewish burial and mourning customs.
As these customs vary widely within the Jewish community, this short guide is designed to provide information. Its purpose is to assist in maintaining the customs and traditions of the Jewish People, to help the mourners provide a funeral for their loved ones with the greatest respect and dignity and to help the mourners onto the road of healing.
As this is by no means all-inclusive, specific questions should be directed to the rabbi.
Items discussed: Timing of the Funeral Service, Burial, Autopsies, Embalming, Organ donation, Taharah, Shemirah, Choosing the Casket, Public Viewing of the Deceased, Flowers and Charity, K’riah, Placing the Casket, Meal of Consolation, Shiva, Sheloshim, Yahrzeit, Yizkor, and Procedures to Follow When Someone Dies.
Death is not the end, but a point in life that goes beyond our reach. The greatest respect we can pay the deceased is to live up to the high ideals of Judaism and to perpetuate their memory by filling the void created by their passing, by finding new avenues to express our love and concern for those who need us.
May the memory of our loved ones be for an eternal blessing. read more
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Yahrzeit Calendar calculator: click here
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Judaism is more than just a religion: it's a culture, a language, a way of life. And, integrated fully into these Jewish traditions are unique words and sayings. Though words may have different roots or origins (Hebrew, Yiddish, German), their meanings are universal throughout the Jewish community. The glossary below will introduce you to some of the more common sayings appropriate for lifestyle and holiday events.
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