holidays

Last Minute Thoughts before Rosh Hashanah

Aish Connections has asked me to pass along information about their No Membership Required campaign: it’s “a complimentary database of synagogues across the country that offer social, engaging and unique services for non-members. It lists Synagogue details (and prices where relevant) and indicates what range of services are offered including additional programs such for youth, teen, and explanatory […]

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Everything You Need to Know About the High Holidays in 30 Seconds

The High Holydays are upon us, and that means there is a lot going on. You miss a lot of work and school, and you can’t take phone calls for those days either. You cease to exist to the outside world for a couple of weeks. In order to stress the importance and insanity of

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Pre-Yontif Checklist: A Work in Progress

This page is a continual work-in progress. I don’t expect that this is exhaustive, but feel free to add your additions to the comments, and I’ll them to the master list. These are in no particular order. Remember that you can transfer fire, but not create new fire. The best way to have an open

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Adventures in Semantics: The Thirteen Attributes of Hashem’s Mercy

On motzei Shabbos, Ashkenazim (and Chabad) began their series of the penitential prayers known as selichot. Sephardim started saying slichot at the beginning of this month, Elul. As Rosh HaShanah starts on Wednesday night, try to make the effort to rise early and go to synagogue so that you can recite slichot with the congregation.

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The 25th of Elul: The Beginning of Creation?

Tonight begins the 25th of Elul. According to Rabbi Eliezer, this is the day Hashem began creating the world. In other words, today is “the first day.” Therefore: Adam was created on the sixth day, and Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the year from the time Adam was created. Why would we measure the

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Falling Into the Rabbit Hole of Orthodox Pop Culture

It is 3am, and I have a post that has to go up today, but I know all of you want to be “in the know,” so we’re going to have a double post today! The Maccabeats released their new video tonight, while mysteriously everyone but the Maccabeats were at a Jewish rock concert. In

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It’s Elul, What Are You Doing to Make Your Soul Bigger?

During this time of growth, what have you been focusing on to make your soul “bigger”? I’ve been focusing on my davening, especially in Hebrew.

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Slichot in a Nutshell: Everything You Need to Know for the High Holidays

I hadn’t planned to write about slichot for another week or two, but apparently Sephardi custom is to say Slichot for the entire month of Elul. That means they start tonight. Or so I think. Ask your rabbi. Ashkenazim should begin saying slichot on Saturday night, September 24, 2011. Since it’ll be after midnight, it

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What Is Elul and Why Does It Matter?

Tonight begins the two days of rosh chodesh Elul, the new month of Elul. (Don’t get confused. Tonight starts the last day of Av, and tomorrow night starts the first day of Elul. Both days are rosh chodesh Elul. That’s two-day rosh chodesh for you!)   Elul is the last month of the Jewish calendar, as

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Tu B’Av in a Nutshell: The Jewish Valentine’s Day

Today is Tu B’Av, the 15th of Av. Tu B’Av is not the most well-known holiday, putting it lightly. The Shulchan Aruch doesn’t even mention its history or customs except for the adjustments to the daily prayers for a holiday. On the other hand, the Talmud considers this the most important festival of the year,

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