By Dina Brawer [1] Imagine the elation felt by the Hasmoneans who recaptured the Temple and their jubilant euphoria when their frantic search produced a small jar of pure oil. This find enabled them to light the Menorah, which by miracle burned for eight days. The Hasmoneans’ direct experience of salvation culminated in a celebration …
By Channa Lockshin Bob[1] Many cultures celebrate a midwinter holiday. In fact, many of these holidays are celebrated through candles and food. While Hanukah was only celebrated from post-Biblical times onward, the Gemara attributes the first celebration of a midwinter holiday to the first human being, Adam. A close analysis of the similarities and differences …
With many thanks to Rabbanit Bracha Jaffe, Jofa has resources to help you learn to leyn Megillat Kohelet for Shabbat Sukkot, or V’zot HaBracha for Simchat Torah. If you need to borrow a Torah for your women’s tefillah, partnership minyan, or lifecycle celebration, please see info on our Torah Lending Program, and contact us at …
By Rachel Rosenthal[1] If one were to name sympathetic characters in Tanakh, it is unlikely that the prophet Jonah would make the list. If ever there were a model for the flawed prophet, Jonah would be the prototype. He is callous, clueless, and closed off to the notion of shades of gray in the world. …
Our Prophets, Ourselves: Jonah, Judgment, and the Act of Repentance Read More »
By Yaffa Epstein[1] Jewish tradition has four names for the Passover Holiday—Hag HaAviv (the Spring Festival), Hag HaMatsot (the Holiday of Unleavened Bread), Hag HaPesah (the Holiday of Passing Over), and Hag HaHerut (the Festival of Freedom). Each of these names represents a different aspect of the holiday. However, there seems to be an additional …
by Gila Sacks[1] “Mai Hannukah?”[2] famously asked the rabbis of the Talmud: “What is Hannukah?” It is the asking of this question, more than its answer, that highlights the complexity—and even mystery—of Hannukah. The question is not asked of other festivals, which seem to have their purpose and meaning fully established and widely known long …
by Aliza Sperling[1] The High Holiday period is punctuated with the theme of change. But how many times can we hear about change during the High Holidays without becoming cynical? For many of us, little has changed since last year. Many of the problems we face have not gone away—or may have even gotten worse. …
