Jewish How-To



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Gift Ideas for Jewish Baby Naming Ceremonies

If you’ve been invited to a Jewish baby naming ceremony, it is proper to bring a gift. There are lots of choices available in local shops for baby items and even online but if you want yours to be special, here are a few tips:The most basic items that you can choose are those that he or she needs like ...

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Naming a Jewish Baby

Judaism plays an important role in naming a Jewish child. A Hebrew name is usually given to a child. This Hebrew name is considered as the child’s real name by which God calls him.There are many customs followed in Jewish baby naming ceremonies. Ashkenazi Jews name a child after a deceased loved one. This is done to keep the memory ...

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The Shema Yisrael

Shema Yisrael or Shema are parts of the section of the Torah and are highlighted in the morning and evening Jewish prayer services. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord of our God, the Lord is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)Shema is considered as the most important prayer by many observant Jews. The Shema is an expression of our faith and loyalty to God. ...

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Mincha: The Jewish Afternoon Prayer

Mincha or the Jewish afternoon prayer is the shortest prayer of the day usually said before sunset. Prayers of Mincha include:AshreiUva Letzion (during Shabbat and Yom Tov)AmidahTorah reading (during Shabbat and public fast days)AleinuTachanun (excluded during Shabbat, Yom Tov and certain festive days)Tzidkatcha Tzedek (during Shabbat)Since Mincha is recited in the middle of the day when people are still working, ...

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Jewish Music

Jewish Religious MusicJust as Judaism is a beautiful religion, its music is colorful and diverse. Jewish music is mostly religious in nature though modern Jewish music, although some still religious vary from classical, romantic, and folk music. Religious Jewish music is synagogal and cantorial. The earliest Jewish music was patterned from the one used in the Temple in Jerusalem.Judaism combines ...

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Misloach Manot for Purim

Giving food baskets to friends and loved ones is one of the major customs of Purim. This customs started as an act to make sure that every home’s table had food for Purim feast. Nowadays, giving food baskets is an act of friendship and is done to strengthen the bond of the Jewish community.Before preparing for your baskets, I suggest ...

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The Mikveh Search

A Mikveh is a ritual bath symbolizing the transition from a person’s old identity and his new one as Jew. It is also a ritual done by Jewish women before marriage. Many synagogues have their own mikveh. Communities having a high percentage of Jewish population also have mikvehs.The nearest mikveh bath you can possibly find is within your community. Start ...

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Jewish Clothing – A Way of Life

Jews put great importance in dressing appropriately especially during prayer services. Clothing plays a significant role in Judaism. Jewish clothing provides religious identity and social status. The Torah forbids making garment by combining wool and linen. The Torah also requires putting fringes on the four corners of the tallit or prayer shawl as a reminder of the importance of observing ...

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The Beauty of Jewish Courtship

Jewish courtship is a beautiful way of showing a woman that she is loved. Judaism provides the perfect avenue for romance which is anchored on respect and love. To follow a traditional Jewish courtship is a great act of love and respect not just for the woman but also for the Jewish culture.As with other religion, Judaism stresses the importance ...

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The Jewish Women: Inside the Synagogue

The Talmud states that women are generally exempted from doing Jewish religious activities. Orthodox Judaism stresses its importance especially that women have family obligations. There are a number of rules for Jewish women in the synagogues – some observed strictly by the Orthodox sect while other Jewish sects are more lenient about it (Conservative and Reform).In Orthodox setting, men and ...

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Jewish Scholarships for Women: Supporting Jewish Women’s Education in the 21st Century

Women were historically exempted from obtaining a form of education beyond the practical aspects of Torah and rules in running a Jewish household. This has changed in the past 100 years, when education for Jewish women has advanced remarkably. There are a few educational scholarships available for Jewish women1. The Jewish Foundation for Education of Women (JFEW)JFEW is a program ...

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How to Choose a Judaica Gift

A Judaica gift is a great option for weddings, Bar or Bat Mitzvah and other Jewish occasions. Here are a few tips in purchasing Judaica items:It is important to determine how much you are going to spend for the gift. Judaica gifts can sometimes be expensive so it is important to set your budget ahead of time.As with other kinds ...

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