Holidays
The Jewish calender is filled with holidays. Learn more about their spiritual significance and historical origins in this section.
What Is a Dreidel?
A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. It is used during Chanukkah to play a popular children’s game.
A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. It is used during Chanukkah to play a popular children’s game.
What is Simchat Torah?
Simchat Torah marks the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle and is one of the most joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar.
Simchat Torah marks the completion of the annual Torah reading cycle and is one of the most joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar.
Sukkot - What Is Sukkot?
Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Booths, is a Jewish harvest holiday that falls five days after Yom Kippur.
Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Booths, is a Jewish harvest holiday that falls five days after Yom Kippur.
How to Wave the Lulav and Etrog on Sukkot
One of Sukkot's special mitzvot is to recite blessings over the Four Kinds. Learn how to wave a lulav and etrog in order to fulfill this mitzvah.
One of Sukkot's special mitzvot is to recite blessings over the Four Kinds. Learn how to wave a lulav and etrog in order to fulfill this mitzvah.
Introduction to Rosh HaShanah
Rosh HaShanah is the Jewish New Year. It falls once a year during the month of Tishrei and occurs ten days before Yom Kippur. Together, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as Yamim Nora’im, which means the Days of Awe in Hebrew. In English they are often referred to as the High Holy Days.
Rosh HaShanah is the Jewish New Year. It falls once a year during the month of Tishrei and occurs ten days before Yom Kippur. Together, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as Yamim Nora’im, which means the Days of Awe in Hebrew. In English they are often referred to as the High Holy Days.
What Is a Shofar?
The shofar is a Jewish instrument most often made from a ram’s horn, though it can also be made from the horn of a sheep or goat. It makes a trumpet-like sound and is traditionally blown on Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year.
The shofar is a Jewish instrument most often made from a ram’s horn, though it can also be made from the horn of a sheep or goat. It makes a trumpet-like sound and is traditionally blown on Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year.
What Is Tashlich?
Tashlich is a ritual that traditionally takes place on the first day of Rosh HaShanah.
Tashlich is a ritual that traditionally takes place on the first day of Rosh HaShanah.
What Is Tisha B'Av?
Tisha B'Av is a Jewish day of mourning - and a fast day - that commemorates the destruction of the two Temples.
Tisha B'Av is a Jewish day of mourning - and a fast day - that commemorates the destruction of the two Temples.
What Is Shavuot?
Learn about the origins of Shavuot as well as modern day customs for celebrating this holiday.
Learn about the origins of Shavuot as well as modern day customs for celebrating this holiday.
What Is Counting the Omer?
Learn what it means to count the Omer and how this tradition is based on an ancient Jewish custom.
Learn what it means to count the Omer and how this tradition is based on an ancient Jewish custom.
Introduction to Yom Kippur
In introduction to Yom Kippur, one of the Jewish High Holy Days.
In introduction to Yom Kippur, one of the Jewish High Holy Days.
What Is Tu B’Shvat?
An introduction to the ancient holiday of Tu B'Shvat, which is the Jewish New Year for the Trees.
An introduction to the ancient holiday of Tu B'Shvat, which is the Jewish New Year for the Trees.
All About Passover
Every year, on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan, Jews worldwide commemorate the birth of the Jewish nation by celebrating Passover.
Every year, on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nissan, Jews worldwide commemorate the birth of the Jewish nation by celebrating Passover.