The Calendar and Holidays (incl. Sabbath)
- Chanukah
- Other Holidays and Fasts
- Passover
- Purim
- Rosh HaShanah
- Shavuos
- Sukkos
- The Jewish Calendar
- The Sabbath
- Yom Kippur
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Not Accepting an Apology
If I attempt to apologize and explain to another person my sincere belief that I was wrong, and they do not wish to listen, or by inaction do not allow me to voice my feelings, have they wronged me in…
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Why Pray? Why Repent? Why not?
What motivation is there to really repent and be worried on the high holy days, I mean I’ve survived for years without praying a word so why start now? I’m not looking for a drawn out idea of how beautiful…
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Korach and the New Month (Rosh Chodesh)
Is there any connection between Korach and Rosh Chodesh (the new Jewish month)? Answer: Hmm – interesting. Korach and Rosh Chodesh don’t seem that obviously connected, but the Torah is one; every part is connected to every other. So I…
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Shavuos in Context
I know that the holiday of Shavuos is coming up soon. What does that word mean in English? What does the holiday commemorate? What season of the year does it come in? Answer: The word Shavuos means “weeks.” It is…
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Connection of Shavuot to Mt. Sinai
How did the Rabbis of the Rabbinic period justified making a historical connection between the holiday of Shavu’ot and the giving of the 10 commandments at Mt Sinai/Horeb when ALL references in the Torah to Shavu’ot (Ex. 23:16, 34:22, Lev.…
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Passover – Back to Back Celebrations
I’m familiar with the Passover festival that begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nisan. Yet, the Bible (Leviticus 23:5-6 and other places) seems to indicate that Passover is on the 14th of the Jewish month of…
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Atonement Without Blood
I have a question about the Holiday Yom Kippur: I thought according to the Torah, there is only one way to receive atonement for our sins- through the blood that makes atonement for our sins. How do we do that…
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Gift Bags on Purim?
Is there a traditional “gift bag” that is given to friends on Purim, and what is in it? Answer: On Purim, Jews have a commandment to share gifts of food with each other, as a way of increasing kindness between…
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Monetary Commandments Related to Purim
Regarding two laws for the holiday of Purim: 1. Can you give me a precise definition for Matanot La’Evyonim and Machatzit Hashekel? 2. How does a woman accurately observe these commandments? Answer: Matanot Le’Evyonim– Giving the monetary equivalent of a…