Collection
A set of source sheets examining aspects of the Jewish holidays.
Sheets
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The Origin of Chanukah CustomsAn explanation of the customs of Dreidels, gelt, presents, the story, latkes, sufganiyot, candles, and “Maoz Tzur”.
Chanukah: The Complicated VersionAn examination of the twists and turns of the Maccabee story from Mattathias through Simon.
Chanukah: The PrequelA history of the events leading up to Chanukah
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.
Why is Shavuot Called “Z’man Matan Torateinu”?The source for “Z’man Matan Torateinu”
Why is Sukkot Called “Time of Our Joy”?This sheet looks at reasons why Sukkot is called “Z’man Simchateinu”, “Time of Our Joy”.
David Schwartz•5427 Views•September 17, 2020•Water Libations,Joy,Sukkot,Happiness,Z’man Simchateinu,Water
What’s Up With the Minor Fast Days?Explaining the Minor Fast Days, with context for each source
David Schwartz•2104 Views•June 14, 2021•Humor,Fast of Esther,Taanit,Destruction of the First Temple,Destruction of Jerusalem,Destruction of the Temple,The Three Weeks,Tzom Gedaliah,Fast,Jewish Jokes,Fast Day,Fasting,Three Weeks,Jewish Humor,Purim,Minor Fast Days,Tisha B'Av,10th of Tevet,Taanit Esther,Leather,17th of Tamuz,Zechariah,Esther,Jerusalem
Ice Cream for Breakfast: Dairy & ShavuotExplanations for why we eat dairy on Shavuot, based on "Milk and Honey are Under Thy Tongue", but with texts in context and expanded.
What’s the Date of Shavuot?This sheet looks at how Shavuot’s date was determined and how it got connected to the giving of the Torah
The Evolution of Yom KippurLooking at Yom Kippur in the Torah and Mishnah, and some academic comparisons to similar practices in the Ancient Near East.
David Schwartz•156 Views•August 1, 2024•Ancient Near East,Biblical Scholarship,Yom Kippur,Babylonia,Biblical Criticism
What is Rosh Chodesh?A text-based summary of the Rosh Chodesh basics.
David Schwartz•2787 Views•January 12, 2022•BimBam,Reading Torah,Lord of the Rings,Birkat Hamazon,Hallel,Rabban Gamliel,Samaritans,Kiddush Hachodesh,Kippalive,David and Jonathan,Fire,Ya'aleh V'yavoh,Moon,Leap Year,David,Music,Birkat Hachodesh,Women,Months,David and Saul,Musaf,Golden Calf,Amidah,Menstruation,Trumpet,Rosh Chodesh,Reading of the Torah,Calendar,Leyning,Sacrifices
What is Sh’mini Atzeret?The basics and not-so-basics of Shemini Atzeret
Attitude of Gratitude in JudaismAspects of giving thanks in Judaism, along with videos of songs.
David Schwartz•2619 Views•November 9, 2022•Eilu D’varim,Sukkah,Cantor Rachel Brook,Shir Soul,Asher Yatzar,Modim,Sukkot,Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach,Food,Debbie Friedman,Kol B’Seder,Prayers,Joe Buchanan,Tzvika Pik,Leah,Rabbi Josh Warshawsky,Bentching Gomel,Dan Nichols,Shabbat,Hallel,Thanksgiving,Shehechiyanu,Nefesh Mountain,Harvests,Dayenu,Modeh Ani,Amidah,Birkat Hamazon,Maccabeats,Grateful,Gratitude,The Maccabeats,Hakarat Hatov,Homelessness,Blessings
Making Friday Evening MeaningfulExplanation of Shabbat evening rituals, with both basic and deeper explanations.
David Schwartz•2304 Views•February 7, 2022•Angels,Exodus,Shalom Aleichem,Shabbat,Sam Glaser,Ephraim,Eishet Chayil,Candles,Blessings,Fiddler on the Roof,Washing,Salting of the Sacrifices,Menashe,Birkat Kohanim,Blessing,Parental Blessing,Amen,Hands,Priestly Blessing,Kiddush,Friday Evening,Wine,Hamotzi,Motzi,Washing of the Hands,Cantor Neil Schwartz,Mikdash Me’At,Jacob's Blessing,Creation,Blessing Children,Grape Juice,Rituals,Salt,Challah,Grapes
Personally Connecting to Avinu MalkeinuBackground, questions, and music for Avinu Malkeinu
What's a Lulav and Etrog?The basics and not-so-basics of lulav and etrog.
Comparing High Holiday and Shabbat ServicesComparing Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur services
Personally Connecting to AshamnuAn examination of the various aspects of how we do Ashamnu, plus musical examples
Personally Connecting to Psalm 27Questions and musical examples to deepen a personal connection to Psalm 27 and “Achat Sha’alti”
Editors
David Schwartz
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