Most of you know that Jewish folks read a section of the Tora (what many of you call the Old Testament) every week, as well as a reading from the prophets.
Continue reading Let Freedom Ring
You know, almost every Friday night, I have a bunch of friends and acquaintances over to share a meal. Because it is the holiday of Shabat, the day the Supreme Being rested- and that means so do we.
Continue reading The 15th? Not the 14th?
The Tora- or the bible as you call it- doesn’t have a lot of do-overs. OK. Life doesn’t have a lot of do-overs, either.
Continue reading Gimme a Do-Over!
Yup. Another holiday. Yes, I know it’s tax season. It’s why I’ve been pushing my clients to get me their stuff early. Because tonight begins the 7th day of Pesach. (You do recall that we Jews start our days in the evening. Because Hashem stated it was evening, it was morning- one day. It’s why Christians follow the evening concept for the birth of Jesus- because he was Jewish and that’s how it worked for him.)
The Ten Plagues. Dam, Tzfardaya, Kinim.. In English: Blood. Frogs. Lice. Wild Beasts. Pestilence. Boils. Hail. Locusts. Darkness. Slaying of the First-born.
Continue reading Yom Tov Pesach (when we don’t work)
Tonight begins the holiday of Passover. Other than Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur, this is the one holiday that most Jews celebrate. Oh, Chanuka comes close, but most folks still
Continue reading Pesach… Or, as you call it- Passover
Today is one of those days that I miss my kids. I really miss my kids. Because today was the day we’d take off and have a picnic. On the National Mall. At Mount Vernon. At McIntyre Park. Because today is Lag B’Omer. A pretty functional name for the holiday, since it means the 33rd day. The 33rd day between Pesach and Shvuot.
Wow. A Friday night Pesach (Passover). Back when I was a little boy, I remember the first time that occurred in my lifetime (short as it was). It was something special. Because of the extra prayers tonight- and tomorrow night, when Shabat ends.
Continue reading Tonight, tonight…
My calendar is governed by new moons. The new moon sets the new month, which is called Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of the month) in Hebrew. Last Friday night was the new moon. But, because I had a guest blogger last week and a few timely additions, this post got moved in the queue.
Continue reading Rosh Chodesh Nissan. Shabat Rosh Chodesh.
Today is the 7th day of Pesach. For the past year, the Eqyptians have been beset by the Ten Plagues. Dam, Tzfardaya, Kinim.. In English: Blood. Frogs. Lice. Wild Beasts. Pestilence. Boils. Hail. Locusts. Darkness. Slaying of the First-born. We’ve put blood on our doorposts to protect us from that last plague. And, now we are free, on the edge of Yam Suf, the Sea of Reeds.
Continue reading Wonder of Wonder, Miracle of Miracles
