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A set of source sheets examining aspects of the Jewish holidays.
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Mi She’ana: Finding Our AnswersAn examination of the stories, with discussion questions, in Mi She’ana, along with musical examples
Personally Connecting to AshamnuAn examination of the various aspects of how we do Ashamnu, plus musical examples
Comparing High Holiday and Shabbat ServicesComparing Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur services
Hashiveinu: From Tisha B’Av to Torah ServiceA basic overview of Tisha B'Av, with a focus on the Hashiveinu line at the end of Eicha. It also includes musical examples of Hashiveinu and Etz Chayim.
When is Shavuot?This sheet looks at how Shavuot’s date was determined and how it got connected to the giving of the Torah
The Origin of Chanukah CustomsAn explanation of the customs of Dreidels, gelt, presents, the story, latkes, sufganiyot, candles, and “Maoz Tzur”.
Honi HaMe'agel: A 3-Act StoryA readers’ theatre version with discussion questions to help people dive into the stories of Honi
From Rebuke to Comfort: The Haftarot Surrounding Tisha B’AvAn examination of the Haftarot surrounding Tisha B’Av, including musical examples.
Jewish Values During the American RevolutionDavid Schwartz•2959 Views•February 2, 2015•War,The Law of the Land Is the Law,Image of God,American Revolution,Independence Day,Jewish Values,American Jewry,Courage,Cheirut,American Judaism,Tzedek,Jewish-American History,Mitpalel B’shloma Shel Malchut,4th of July,Justice,Bystander,Ometz Lev,Bamakom She’ein Ish,Im Ein Ani Li Mi Li,Leadership,Pray for the Welfare of the Government,Lo Ta’amod Al Dam Rei’echa,Dina deMalchuta Dina,Dibbuk,Freedom,B'tzelem Elohim,Law,Loyalty,Equality
The Haircut Holiday: Lag BaOmerSources and texts about Lag BaOmer
Attitude of Gratitude in JudaismAspects of giving thanks in Judaism, along with videos of songs.
David Schwartz•4509 Views•November 9, 2022•Harvests,Rabbi Josh Warshawsky,Thanksgiving,Gratitude,Hallel,The Maccabeats,Eilu D’varim,Nefesh Mountain,Maccabeats,Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach,Debbie Friedman,Kol B’Seder,Homelessness,Prayers,Blessings,Amidah,Cantor Rachel Brook,Dayenu,Leah,Modim,Modeh Ani,Shehechiyanu,Hakarat Hatov,Shabbat,Birkat Hamazon,Grateful,Dan Nichols,Asher Yatzar,Food,Sukkah,Sukkot,Tzvika Pik,Bentching Gomel,Shir Soul,Joe Buchanan
What is Rosh Chodesh?A text-based summary of the Rosh Chodesh basics.
David Schwartz•4610 Views•January 12, 2022•David,Months,Music,Calendar,Hallel,Sacrifices,Birkat Hamazon,Amidah,Kippalive,Trumpet,BimBam,Leap Year,David and Jonathan,Leyning,Samaritans,Birkat Hachodesh,Fire,Rosh Chodesh,Women,Rabban Gamliel,Ya'aleh V'yavoh,Musaf,Reading of the Torah,Lord of the Rings,Moon,Menstruation,Golden Calf,David and Saul,Reading Torah,Kiddush Hachodesh
Exploring Kol NidreiA look at Kol Nidrei, including why the Ashkenazic and Sephardic versions are different.
"Yerushalayim Shel Zahav": Examining the SongLooking at the sources of "Yerushalayim Shel Zahav", putting them in context, and then asking "So what?"
David Schwartz•9439 Views•April 26, 2021•Isaiah,Gold,Tisha B'Av,Psalm 137,Stones,British Mandate,Six-Day War,Zion,Yerushalayim Shel Zahav,Yehudah HaLevi,Yerushalayim,Rabbi Akiva,Samuel,Jerusalem,Harp,Lyres (כנור),Eicha,Yom Yerushalayim,King David,Reunification of Jerusalem,David,Seraphim,Babylon,Jerusalem Day,Jerusalem of Gold,1967,Gideon,Babylo,Choni the Circle-Maker,Or Chadash
What’s Up With the Minor Fast Days?Explaining the Minor Fast Days, with context for each source
David Schwartz•3832 Views•June 14, 2021•Three Weeks,Destruction of the Temple,The Three Weeks,Jewish Jokes,Esther,Minor Fast Days,Fasting,Jewish Humor,Tisha B'Av,Humor,17th of Tamuz,Leather,10th of Tevet,Jerusalem,Zechariah,Fast of Esther,Purim,Fast,Taanit,Taanit Esther,Destruction of Jerusalem,Destruction of the First Temple,Fast Day,Tzom Gedaliah
Yom Kippur Through the Lens of PurimYom Kippur is also called “Yom Kippurim”, which could be broken up to mean “Yom K’-Purim”, “a day like Purim”. How does this shed light on Yom Kippur?
Purim and the Journey to Oblivion: Is Inebriation Really a Mitzvah?Examining the limits on drinking on Purim
David Schwartz•2729 Views•January 19, 2021•Drunk,Alcoholism,Mordechai,Drinking,Haman,Purim,Laws of Purim,Alcohol
Exploring the Prayer for The State of IsraelAn examination of the different written and musical versions of the Prayer for the State of Israel.
David Schwartz•395 Views•April 4, 2025•Y-Stud,The Maccabeats,Prayer,Six13,State of Israel,Maccabeats,Israel
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David Schwartz
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