Updated Articles and Resources

From Ariela Pelaia, Former About.com Guide

The Story of Passover Video Created: Sunday, December 16, 2012 Updated: Sunday, December 16, 2012
In this About.com video, learn about the history of Passover and the modern day practices that are implemented in this Jewish holiday.
How Do You Celebrate Hanukkah? Created: Sunday, November 07, 2010 Updated: Thursday, October 25, 2012
How does your family celebrate Hanukkah? Share your Hanukkah traditions here.
How Do You Celebrate Hanukkah? Created: Sunday, November 07, 2010 Updated: Thursday, October 25, 2012
How does your family celebrate Hanukkah? Share your Hanukkah traditions here.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah Gifts - The Best and the Worst Created: Sunday, May 30, 2010 Updated: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Share some of the best (and worst) Bar or Bat Mitzvah gifts you've seen.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah Gifts - The Best and the Worst Created: Sunday, May 30, 2010 Updated: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Share some of the best (and worst) Bar or Bat Mitzvah gifts you've seen.
What Is the Behemoth? Created: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 Updated: Thursday, October 18, 2012
The Behemoth is a mythical beast that is mentioned in Job 40:15-24. It is said to be a gigantic ox-like beast with bones as hard as bronze and limbs as firm as rods of iron.
Can Jews Celebrate Christmas? Created: Thursday, October 18, 2012 Updated: Thursday, October 18, 2012
In this edition of 'Ask the Rabbi' a reader asks Rabbi Marc Disick whether it's OK for her interfaith family to celebrate Christmas with Christian relatives.
What Is Hanukkah? Created: Monday, December 07, 2009 Updated: Thursday, October 11, 2012
Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It usually falls in late November or December on the secular calendar.
What Is Sukkot? Created: Thursday, October 01, 2009 Updated: Friday, October 05, 2012
Sukkot, also known as the Festival of Booths, is a Jewish harvest holiday that falls five days after Yom Kippur.
When is Hanukkah 2010? Created: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
When is Hanukkah 2010?
Why Is An Etrog Held in the Left Hand When Performing the Sukkot Blessings? Created: Monday, September 20, 2010 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Have you ever wondered why the etrog is always held in the left hand when performing the Sukkot blessings?
Bar and Bat Mitzvah Gifts Created: Monday, April 26, 2010 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
I was invited to a bar/bat mitzvah. Should I bring a gift? If so, what kind of gift is appropriate?
How to Make Sephardic Charoset for Passover (Pesach) Created: Saturday, February 27, 2010 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Learn how to make a Sephardic version of charoset, made with dried fruits and wine.
Ask the Rabbi: Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser Created: Thursday, October 15, 2009 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser is a Reform Rabbi who answers questions from About.com readers.
How to: Wave the Lulav and Etrog on Sukkot Created: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
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.
Ask the Rabbi: Rabbi Marc Disick Created: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Rabbi Marc Disick is a Reform Rabbi who is available to answer questions from About.com readers.
Albert Einstein Quotes Created: Sunday, September 30, 2012 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Albert Einstein was a Jewish theoretical physicist who developed the Theory of Relativity.
Definition of Verklempt (Yiddish Word) Created: Tuesday, July 12, 2011 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Verklempt is a Yiddish word that means "overcome with emotion."
Definition of Bubkes (Yiddish Word) Created: Monday, June 06, 2011 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Bubkes is a Yiddish word that is used to refer to something with little or no perceived value.
Definition of Naches (Yiddish Word) Created: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Naches is a Yiddish word that means "pride" or "joy."
Definition of Kvetch (Yiddish Word) Created: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Kvetch is a Yiddish word that means "to complain."
Definition of Chutzpah (Yiddish Word) Created: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Chutzpah is a Yiddish word that is used by Jews and non-Jews alike to describe someone who is particularly audacious or has a lot of "guts."
The Five Books of Moses Created: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
The Five Books of Moses are the biblical books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Definition of Shiksa (Yiddish Word) Created: Monday, May 02, 2011 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Shiksa is a Yiddish word that refers to a non-Jewish woman who is either romantically interested in a Jewish man or who is a Jewish man's object of affection.
Definition of Mazel Tov (Yiddish Word) Created: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
"Mazel Tov" is a Hebrew phrase that literally means "good destiny" but is more commonly understood to mean "good luck" or "congratulations."
What Is the Ziz? Created: Sunday, October 17, 2010 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
The Ziz is a mythological bird that is sometimes called "The Queen of Birds."
What Is Kol Nidre? Created: Saturday, September 04, 2010 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Kol Nidrei is both the opening prayer and the name for the evening service that begins Yom Kippur.
What Is Pidyon HaBen? Created: Saturday, November 07, 2009 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Pidyon HaBen refers to the ancient custom of dedicating a firstborn son to the service of God.
What Is a Mohel? Created: Saturday, October 24, 2009 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
A mohel is a Jewish man who performs the ritual of brit milah on a baby boy after he is born.
Ask the Rabbi: Rabbi Ari Enkin Created: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Rabbi Ari Enkin is an Orthodox Rabbi who is available to answer questions from About.com readers.
High Holiday Superstitions Created: Thursday, September 13, 2012 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
In ancient times and during the Middle Ages some Jews held superstitious beliefs about the High Holidays of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
What is Kol Nidre? Created: Thursday, August 23, 2012 Updated: Sunday, September 30, 2012
Kol Nidre is the name of the evening service on Yom Kippur. It is also the name of a recitation sung to a beautiful melody. For many Jews hearing Kol Nidre is an important part of the Yom Kippur ex...