There is a traditional Jewish blessing for just about everything; therefore, it is not surprising that there is even a blessing upon exiting the restroom. The blessing, “Asher Yatzar,” is translated into English as “He Who Formed.” Despite what you might think, the blessing is more complex than simply thanking God after performing one’s bodily… Read More
One lesser-known fact about Israel is its abundant cat population. When visiting the Holy Land, one can see the plentiful amount of felines meandering around the city streets, begging for food, or diving in dumpsters for a meal. Whether you are fond of cats or not, many have speculated how these small carnivores got to… Read More
Lecha Dodi” is translated into English as “Come my Beloved,” and it is a traditional Jewish song that is part of the Kabbalat Shabbat service held on Friday nights. It was written in the sixteenth century by Shlomo Halevi Alkabetz, who later joined the Kabbalistic movement in Tzfat. In Talmudic times, Shabbat was perceived as… Read More
Receiving bad news, such as the injury or loss of a loved one, can be shocking, confusing, and agonizing. In traditional Judaism, however, receiving bad news is used as yet another opportunity to praise and bless the Lord. The principle of blessing God despite hearing devastating news comes from Berachot 54a in the Talmud, where… Read More
One of the most meaningful and valuable Jewish customs takes place during the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat prayers, it is the blessing over the children. This special blessing is traditionally recited either before or after Kiddush and is typically said only by the father, though in some homes the mother also joins in or recites… Read More
Nothing portrays the vast might of our Creator quite like a thunder and lightning storm. Though the bright flashes and piercing thunder may cause some to tremble, the extraordinary power that is displayed by thunderstorms sends an important message. There are many teachers in Judaism who have tried to speculate the reason why God created… Read More
In Judaism, the phenomenon of seeing a rainbow is considered a special, amazing event, thus ensuing the need to recite a blessing upon seeing one. Rainbows are regarded highly as they serve as a reminder to the covenant that God made with Noah after destroying all living creatures with the flood. “And God said, ‘This… Read More
When people think of the weather in Israel, the picture that often comes to mind is of a hot, dry desert. While it is true that the climate is typically quite warm throughout most of the year, the temperature can drop drastically in certain regions during the winter season. As a matter of fact, it got… Read More
If you have ever participated in a Jewish Kabbalat Shabbat meal, then you have most likely heard the infamous song, “Shalom Aleichem (שלום עליכם).” This traditional song has been a central part of Friday night Shabbat liturgy for many years and is prevalent in most sects of Judaism. Its purpose is to signal the start… Read More
Birkat hamazon (ברכת המזון) is the traditional Jewish blessing known in English as the Grace After Meals. Its purpose is to thank God for providing food, for the Land of Israel, as well as for His unwavering kindness towards His people. Likewise, part of this blessing serves as a type of plea to the Lord,… Read More
The Jewish prayer, “birkat hagomel,” is traditionally recited after one has survived a dangerous journey or recovered from a serious illness or accident. During the days of the Temple, it was obligatory to bring a thanksgiving offering before God when one survived a life-threatening situation. Now that the Temple no longer stands, however, the birkat… Read More
There is a traditional Jewish blessing that’s sole purpose is to mark specific appointed times as well as special occasions, it is called “shehecheyanu (שהחינו).” Literally translated, it means “Who has given us life,” and it is to be recited after one has experienced something new or unusual as a way of showing gratitude to… Read More
Waking up in the morning can be a difficult task for some, though the traditional Jewish ideology on arising can bring a new perspective to it. This customary Jewish prayer upon waking up is called “modeh ani (מודה אני).” It has a more recent origin as it was written in the 16th century commentary on… Read More
When there are sick people within our community or family, it is our duty to lift them up in prayer and ask for healing and restoration for them. The traditional Jewish prayer for the ill is known in Hebrew as the “mi shebeirach (מי שברך),” and its purpose is to ask for blessing, mercy, and… Read More
One significant part of the work we do within our local community in Jerusalem is caring for the sick and elderly. We believe it is of utmost importance to give support to our brothers and sisters in need, whether it is through prayer, visitation, or offering practical help. This fundamental ideology can be seen in… Read More
Before embarking on a journey, regardless of whether it is a trip by way of car, airplane, or boat, there is a traditional Jewish prayer that is often recited. This unique prayer is known as the Traveler’s Prayer in English, however in Hebrew it is called “tefilat haderech,” (תפילת הדרך). The origin of the Traveler’s… Read More
When times of trouble strike, where do you run to? In whom do you find comfort? More often than not, when we find ourselves in a difficult situation, it is easy to shut out everything and to get lost in the predicament. It can be challenging to turn to God with our burden and to… Read More
