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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Shefoch Chamascha
What is the origin of “Shefoch chamascha” that we say at the Seder? Shefoch Chamascha is mentioned in one manuscript of the Siddur of R. Amram Gaon, but it’s not mentioned by R. Saadia Gaon or Maimonides, so it probably…
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Dipping Apples in Honey
Why do we eat apples dipped in honey on Rosh Ha-Shanah? Only a few things are called “sweet” in the Bible; one is honey (in several places), and another is apples (Shir Ha-Shirim 2:3). Thus apples and honey are a…
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The Holiest Day of the Year
Is Yom Kippur the holiest day of the year? It doesn’t say in the Torah that Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year. In fact, the Bible doesn’t refer to any day as “holy” except for Rosh Ha-Shanah,…
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Lulav on Shabbos
Why don’t we perform the mitzvah of Lulav on Shabbos even on the first day of Sukkos? Why does the calendar allow the first day of Sukkos to fall on Shabbos? The mitzvah of Lulav originally applied for seven days…
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The Fast of Gedaliah
What is the story of the Fast of Gedaliah? Gedaliah the son of Achikam was appointed by the Babylonian king to rule over the population that was left in Judea after the nobles and professionals were exiled. Because he was…
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Eating in the Sukka
Why must Jews eat in a Sukka on Sukkos? Stay in Sukkos (booths) seven days…So that it will remain known for generations that I housed the Jews in Sukkos after liberating them from Egypt” (Vayikra 23:42-43). Halachah (see Shulchan Aruch…
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Using a Live Tree as Schach
Can I set up a Sukka under my backyard tree, and use its branches for the schach? No. A tree, connected to the ground, is unfit for Schach, or Sukka roof. (Sukka _walls_ can be made out of any sturdy…
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Using a Skylight as a Sukka
Can I open my skylight and lay branches there for my Sukka? Yes, but your walls must be close enough to the skylight. If three of your walls stand within 6 feet of the skylight opening, then you probably have…
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The Size of a Sukka
How big does a Sukka have to be? If you can sit in there with a small table, you’re probably OK. The exact minimum measurements are in dispute, so try to get it at least 28 by 28 inches. (See…