Germany. Ashkenazi, plural Ashkenazim, from Hebrew Ashkenaz (“Germany”), member of the Jews who lived in the Rhineland valley and in neighbouring France before their migration eastward to Slavic lands (e.g., Poland, Lithuania, Russia) after the Crusades (11th–13th century) and their descendants. Where are Ashkenazi Jews descended from? One of two […]
Kosher food is any food or beverage that Jewish dietary laws allow a person to eat. It isn’t a style of cooking. Keeping kosher is much more complex than that. Rules are the foundation of kosher food. Rooted in history and religion, each law is specific about what types of […]
Composition. The Talmud holds that the Torah was written by Moses, with the exception of the last eight verses of Deuteronomy, describing his death and burial, being written by Joshua. What came first the Bible or the Torah? The Torah is the first part of the Jewish bible. It is […]
Hebrew Bible, also called Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament, or Tanakh, collection of writings that was first compiled and preserved as the sacred books of the Jewish people. It also constitutes a large portion of the Christian Bible, known as the Old Testament. Do Jews call their Scriptures the Old Testament? […]
Seven names of God YHWH. Adonai. El. Elohim. Shaddai. Tzevaot. Ehyeh. What are the 7 names of Jesus? Names of Jesus Christ Savior. “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” […]
Judaism. Judaism relates to consumption of alcohol, particularly of wine, in a complex manner. Wine is viewed as a substance of import and it is incorporated in religious ceremonies, and the general consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted, however inebriation (drunkenness) is discouraged. Can Jews drink any alcohol? Jewish tradition […]
According to the mystical text Zohar, a person’s soul emanates from divine light. Every time a Jew engages with the Torah, the light of his or her soul ignites, which is why he or she moves like the flame of a candle. Why do hasidics have curls? The reason for […]
Modern synagogue leadership In individual religious congregations or synagogues, the spiritual leader is generally the rabbi. Rabbis are expected to be taught in both the Talmud and the Shulkhan Arukh (Code of Jewish Law) as well as many other classical texts of Jewish scholarship. What is the top of a […]
Although according to Torah law a man may marry more than one wife, under a ban (herem) issued by Rabbenu Gershom (Rabbi Gershom ben Judah Me’or Ha-Golah, c. 960–1028) in the eleventh century, a husband could not take an additional wife unless he divorced his first wife or she died. […]
They amount can range from $250-$1,000, and may be given as a “suggested donation.” It may also be more expensive if you are not already a member. If you are not getting married in a house of worship, the cost of hiring an outside priest, rabbi, or minister will often […]
Hazan) or chazzan (Hebrew: חַזָּן ḥazzān, plural ḥazzānim; Yiddish khazn; Ladino Hasan) is a Jewish musician or precentor trained in the vocal arts who helps lead the congregation in songful prayer. In English, this prayer leader is often referred to as a cantor, a term also used in Christianity. What […]
Cantorial students have the opportunity to share classes with students in the Rabbinical Program and in our graduate Jewish Education Program. Are cantors ordained? Today, however, cantors do more than sing and lead prayers; they are ordained clergy who preside over a host of life events including weddings, funerals, bar […]
Rav or Rab (Hebrew: רב) is the Hebrew generic term for a teacher of Torah or other spiritual guide. For example, Pirkei Avot (1:6) states that: (..) Joshua ben Perachiah says, ″Set up a teacher [RaB] for yourself. Does Rav mean rabbi? Rav. “Rav” is the Hebrew word for “master.” […]
The punishment of stoning for adulterers is directly mentioned in Deuteronomy 22:24. At the civil level, however, Jewish law (halakha) forbids a man to continue living with an adulterous wife, and he is obliged to divorce her. Is adultery a crime in Israel? Although Israel’s Civil Wrongs Ordinance (New Version), […]
THE 613 MITZVOT To know there is a God. (Exodus 20:2) To have not other gods. (Exodus 20:3) To know that He is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4) To love Him. (Deuteronomy 6:5) To fear Him. (Deuteronomy 10:20) To sanctify His Name. Not to profane His Name. To worship Him as He […]