Judaism

According to Jewish folklore Lilith was Adam's first wife. Later myths even characterize her as a succubus or the Queen of Demons. But where does the character of Lilith come from? Learn how contradictory accounts of Creation in the book of Genesis led to Lilith's story in: Where Does the Legend of Lilith Come From?

Image credit: "Lilith" by Sandra Stranton.

Lag Ba'Omer begins tomorrow (Wed, May 9th) at sundown. Are you having a bonfire?

Lag Ba'Omer is a minor Jewish holiday that falls between Passover and Shavuot. Oddly enough, no one is 100% sure what it celebrates. Some argue that the holiday commemorates the end of a plague that afflicted the students of Rabbi Akiva, while others believe it celebrates a victorious battle during Simon Bar Kokhba's revolt against the Romans.

Whatever the reason, during the Omer (a period of mourning) Lag Ba'Omer is a time when weddings can be held and people can celebrate with family get togethers and evening bonfires. According to some, the fires represent the light of the Torah.

Learn more about this holiday in: What Is Lag Ba'Omer?

Image credit: Michael Cogliantry / Getty Images

Author Maurice Sendak died May 8th at the age of 83 after suffering complications from a recent stroke. Born in Brooklyn to Jewish immigrant parents, the beloved children's author was known for picture books that he wrote and illustrated himself. Among his most famous works are "Where the Wild Things Are" and "In the Night Kitchen," both of which tell the stories of young boys who embark upon night time adventures. His most recent picture book, "Bumble-Ardy," spent five weeks on the New York Times best seller list for children in 2011.

The New York Times published a wonderful article about Sendak, discussing his frail childhood, the impact of the Holocaust on his family in Europe and his experiences growing up as a lower class, Jewish gay man. "All I wanted was to be straight so my parents could be happy," he is quoted as saying in the article. "They never, never, never knew." The article also describes Sendak's life-long passion for drawing and how a 1948 job building window displays for F.A.O. Schwarz led to his distinguished career in the publishing world. To read more, visit "Maurice Sendak, Author of Splendid Nightmares, Dies at 83."

Although the Omer is a relatively serious period of semi-mourning, I couldn't resist sharing this cute cartoon about The Count discovering how Jews count each of the forty-nine days.

The Omer (ancient Hebrew term for "sheaves of a harvested crop") are the forty-nine days between the holiday of Passover and the holiday of Shavuot. The days of the Omer are counted aloud as part of synagogue services and some Jews will also keep track of the days at home.

Also known as "Sefirat HaOmer" (Counting the Omer), traditionally the Omer is a time of semi-mourning. Observant Jews will not get haircuts or celebrate weddings during this period. In Kabbalistic circles, the Omer is also viewed as a time of reflection that is meant to prepare us for receiving the Torah.

You can learn more about the Omer in: What is Counting the Omer?

As far as Jewish mobsters go, Arnold Rothstein is perhaps one of the most famous. Also known as "The Brain" and "The Big Bankroll," he allegedly fixed the 1919 World Series.

Born in 1882 to an observant Jewish family, Rothstein eventually became one of the most powerful mob figures in 1900s America. His character is portrayed by actor Michael Stuhlbarg on HBO's series "Boardwalk Empire." You can learn more about him in the article: Arnold Rothstein - Jewish American Mobster.

Image: Rothstein in 1919 via Getty Images

Today is Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) in Israel and tonight Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel Independence Day) begins at sundown.

Yom HaZikaron is a modern holiday that asks us to remember all those who lost their lives in the struggle for Israel's independence, as well as soldiers who have died while serving in the Israeli armed forces and victims of terror. It is a somber holiday marked by patriotic radio and television programs, flags flown at half mast and an air-raid siren that plays for 1 minute at 8PM. You can read more about Yom HaZikaron in this About Judaism post and view photos of Israel Memorial Day here.

The day after Yom HaZikaron is Yom HaAtzmaut, which is Israel Independence Day. During this holiday people commemorate Israel's declaration of independence in 1948 and celebrate Israel's freedom. People fly Israeli flags in front of their houses, host parties and go on picnics with their loved ones. You can view photos of Yom HaAtzmaut here.

Even though Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut are Israeli holidays many Jews in the Diaspora observe them in their own communities. Does your community do something special for either of these holidays?

Earlier this month comedian Ricky Gervais appeared on "The Daily Show" and made a comment about Anne Frank that has been creating controversy ever since.

During the April 11th appearance Gervais told host Jon Stewart about the time he had to educate his friend and colleague, Karl Pilkington, about the story of Anne Frank. Karl appears on Gervais's show "An Idiot Abroad" and according to the comedian, believed that Anne Frank was a "squatter" hiding in the attic to avoid paying rent to her landlord. Gervais claimed to have educated Pilkington about the truth of the Holocaust, yet simultaneously marveled that the Nazi's hadn't found Frank sooner and joked that she'd even had time to write a book while in hiding. You can view the entire clip of the interview here.

Not surprisingly, Gervais's comments offended people. First a blogger named Dan Bloom began a petition calling for "a worldwide boycott of any TV shows" affiliated with Gervais. Then other bloggers, including the Forward, picked up the story. Eventually Gervais decided to respond in an open letter, which was published yesterday in the Jewish Chronicle and read in part:

"I often get accused of finding comedy in places where no comedy is to be found. I feel you can make a joke about anything. It just depends on what the joke is. Comedy comes from a good or a bad place and the problem is in its interpretation, with some people confusing the subject of a joke with the joke's real target. The target of this joke is the comedian's ignorance."

Bloom didn't buy Gervais's explanation and responded in an open letter to the comedian saying as much. What do you think? Were Gervais's comments on "The Daily Show" offensive?

Image credit: Getty Images/Jason Merritt

Every year Jews around the world remember the tragic events of the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah. Also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, there is no set way to observe this holiday and every Jewish community has its own traditions. Some hold memorial services where poetry is read and prayers are offered. Others light candles in honor of the dead, perhaps at their local Holocaust memorial. In Israel, a siren sounds at 10AM on Yom HaShoah. While the alarm sounds, everyone stands and remembers those who fell victim to the Nazi regime.

This year Yad VaShem, Israel's official Holocaust memorial, hosted a competition where artists were asked to design posters that captured the essence of Yom HaShoah. The winning poster is pictured above and was created by Doriel Rimmer. You can see other entries by clicking here.

Yom HaShoah begins tonight (April 18, 2012) and ends tomorrow (April 19, 2012) at sundown.

Want to learn more about the Holocaust? About.com's 20th Century History Guide, Jennifer Rosenberg, has compiled a comprehensive Holocaust resource.

People don't usually associate the words "Jewish" and "gangster," but in the early to mid 1900's a number of prominent mob figures were, in fact, members of the tribe.

One such personality was Benjamin Siegel, who later became known as "Bugsy" Siegel. Handsome, quick to anger and ruthless, from a young age he became involved in criminal activity. He played an important role in forming the original Las Vegas casinos, though this same role ultimately led to his murder.

Learn more about Bugsy Siegel in: Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel - Jewish American Mobster.