The Spiritual Aspect of Baking Challah - Judaism
My older children enjoy cooking, and I often try to include them in my weekly challah baking. It was only fairly recently, I discovered the depths of baking challah, and I continue to struggle with maintaining the presence of mind to get more out ... [... more]
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The Tenth of Tevet - A Minor Fast - Judaism
It is essential to the sustenance of Jewish tradition that we recognize the minor fasts often going unnoticed in mainstream Jewish life. The minor fasts identify times in Jewish history when G-d's messages went unheard and calamities - from bad ... [... more]
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Pidyon HaBen: The Redemption of the First Born - Judaism
In the top drawer of my dresser lie five silver coins. They were purchased from Israel for approximately $100 and were used for the redemption of our first-born son. The ceremony is called Pidyon HaBen (Redemption of the First Born) and is ... [... more]
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Tzedakah - Judaism
It's Friday, and at my son's Jewish preschool, they spend time lighting candles, reciting the blessing over the wine and eating challah (bread) in preparation for Shabbat. They also collect Tzedakah. I asked Aaron if he would like money to give ... [... more]
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Yom Kippur - What's So Spiritual About Fasting? - Judaism
What's amazing is that on any given day, we can go hours without thinking of food. It is not uncommon for a busy mom to arrive at late afternoon and realize she did not eat breakfast OR lunch. But, on Yom Kippur - simply because we cannot eat - ... [... more]
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Is Believing in G-d Essential to Being Jewish? - Judaism
According to a nationwide Harris Interactive poll taken in 2003, nineteen percent of Jewish people do not believe in G-d. Of those 19%, five percent are absolutely certain that G-d does not exist and 13% are somewhat certain that G-d does not ... [... more]
Bella Online |
Jewish Holiday Books - Judaism
A few weeks prior to each holiday, I gather my books from the shelf and start reading. I also conduct an internet search for resources and get lost in articles, recipes and craft ideas. I enjoy refreshing my memory on the purpose and meaning of ... [... more]
Bella Online |
The Triumph of Deborah - A Book Review - Judaism
When a work of fiction is based upon historical truth, the author faces the difficult task of weaving factual elements of history with her own creative thoughts in a voice believable of the time being written about. Eva Etzioni-Halevy has me ... [... more]
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Shabbat Meal Preparation Tips - Judaism
The thought of preparing Shabbat dinner or any holiday dinner may be intimidating. There are many shortcuts you can take to make it a task that can be accomplished with ease. Creating a meal for Shabbat can feel like it takes all week long. By ... [... more]
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Orthodox Women Rabbis - Judaism
When I first read Blu Greenberg's book, "How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household", I was intrigued by the links she created between her traditional observance of Judaism and her conviction for feminist principles. The message I took from her [... more]
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Observant Jewish Life - Judaism
For many Jews, the expression of religion and culture are two different things. There are numerous Jewish people who only enter their synagogue (if they even have one at all) on the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur). They light candles ... [... more]
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Jewish Guilt - Judaism
Most likely, if you are Jewish, you have experienced, joked about, or handed out a bit of Jewish guilt. We laugh at the exaggerated stereotype, typically attributed to Jewish mothers - "Are you eating enough? You look thin." "Why didn't [... more]
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