Shehechiyanu Blessing
Wednesday July 23, 2008
Judaism's Shehechiyanu blessing thanks God for sustaining our lives so we could experience this moment of joy. Learn more about why and when this Jewish blessing of appreciation for the gift of life is recited.
Three Weeks of Mourning
Monday July 21, 2008
Today, the 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, is a fast day which commemorates the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE.
A three-week period of mourning begins today and ends on Tisha B'Av. During the Three Weeks, called Sholshet HaShavuot in Hebrew, more observant Jews observe the following prohibitions: 1) no weddings and other festive gatherings, 2) no hair cuts (some refrain from shaving).
Tisha B'Av, the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, is a fast day that commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. This year Tisha B'Av is on July 24, 2007 (Tuesday).
Why do Jews today mourn the fall of Jerusalem and the loss of the Temple, events which took place almost 2000 years ago? Rabbi Professor David Golinkin explains, in answer to this question, that "Remembrance is the Secret of Redemption."
A three-week period of mourning begins today and ends on Tisha B'Av. During the Three Weeks, called Sholshet HaShavuot in Hebrew, more observant Jews observe the following prohibitions: 1) no weddings and other festive gatherings, 2) no hair cuts (some refrain from shaving).
Tisha B'Av, the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, is a fast day that commemorates the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. This year Tisha B'Av is on July 24, 2007 (Tuesday).
Why do Jews today mourn the fall of Jerusalem and the loss of the Temple, events which took place almost 2000 years ago? Rabbi Professor David Golinkin explains, in answer to this question, that "Remembrance is the Secret of Redemption."
Lebanon Celebrates, Israel Mourns
Thursday July 17, 2008
Lebanon celebrated the release of convicted killer Samir Kuntar, and Israel mourned the deaths of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev following yesterday's dramatic prisoner swap.
"The joys of a nation is indicative of its value-system", said Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. "Woe is the nation that celebrates at this hour the release of a man that crushed the skull of a child. My heart, on this day, is with the Goldwasser and Regev families."
Israel released 199 Lebanese bodies, four Lebanese prisoners, and Kuntar in exchange for the bodies of Udi and Eldad. Olmert explained, "The worry over the fate of every one of our soldiers is the glue which binds us as a society, and it is this which allows us to survive in an area in which we are surrounded by enemies and terror organizations."
Goldwasser's father-in-law, Omri Avni, vowed the families would continue their struggle until Gilad Shalit comes home.
More:
"The joys of a nation is indicative of its value-system", said Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. "Woe is the nation that celebrates at this hour the release of a man that crushed the skull of a child. My heart, on this day, is with the Goldwasser and Regev families."
Israel released 199 Lebanese bodies, four Lebanese prisoners, and Kuntar in exchange for the bodies of Udi and Eldad. Olmert explained, "The worry over the fate of every one of our soldiers is the glue which binds us as a society, and it is this which allows us to survive in an area in which we are surrounded by enemies and terror organizations."
Goldwasser's father-in-law, Omri Avni, vowed the families would continue their struggle until Gilad Shalit comes home.
More:
The Fish and the Shark, by Gilad Shalit
Tuesday July 15, 2008
Gilad Shalit, at age 11, wrote a story that indicts parents for teaching hatred and credits children with knowing the way to peace. Eight years later, Gilad was captured in a cross border raid into Israel by Palestinian militants. He has been held hostage by Hamas since June 2006. Listen to 11-year-olds today reading his book, The Shark and the Fish.Gilad Shalit News
Shira Hadasha is a New Song
Monday July 14, 2008
In Jerusalem in 2001, a group of orthodox residents, who yearned for a more equalitarian prayer service, founded a new minyan - Shira Hadasha (A New Song). The service increases women's participation and leadership in Jewish prayer, while staying within the constraints of Jewish law (halacha). Shira Hadasha is enormously popular, spreading worldwide, and impacting modern orthodox Judaism.
American Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations in Jerusalem
Tuesday July 8, 2008
Why do some Americans teens and their families travel to Israel to celebrate their bar and bat mitzvahs? What do American Jews gain by having their bar or bat mitzvah celebrations in Jerusalem? Photo © 2008 Giora Shimoni, licensed to About.com, Inc
Jerusalem's Changing Demographics
Monday July 7, 2008
As Jerusalem’s Arab population swells and Jewish population shrinks, Israelis are becoming increasingly concerned about the difficulty of maintaining Jerusalem’s status as the eternal capital of the Jewish State in the future.Photo © 2007 Lisa Katz, licensed to About.com, Inc
Photos of Jerusalem's Old City: People and Places
Monday July 7, 2008
On a recent walk through Jerusalem's Old City, I snapped these photos for your viewing pleasure.
Photo © 2006 Marc Herman, licensed to About.com, Inc Photos of Jerusalem's Old City
Sunday July 6, 2008
Jerusalem, Yerushalayim in Hebrew and Al Quds in Arabic, is the capital and largest city of Israel. The city is considered a holy city by adherents of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; it contains sites sacred to all three religions. In honor of Jerusalem Day (June 2, 2008), enjoy these photos of Jerusalem's Old City.Photo © 2007 Lisa Katz, licensed to About.com, Inc
What was the Second Temple?
Saturday July 5, 2008
The Second Temple, a reconstruction of Solomon's First Temple in Jerusalem, stood between 515 BCE and 70 CE. What remains of the Second Temple today?