Displaying 1 - 8 of 8
Tu BiShvat: Customs and Rituals
The Jewish mystics of the 17th century, the Kabbalists, created a special ritual—modeled after the Passover seder—to celebrate God's presence in nature. Today in modern Israel, Tu BiShvat has become a national holiday, a tree planting festivaTu BiShvat is not mentioned in the Torah. Scholars believe the holiday was originally an agricultural festival, corresponding to the beginning of spring in Israel. But a critical historical event helped Tu BiShvat evolve from a simple celebration of spring to a commemoration of our connection to the land of Israel. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. and the exile that followed, many of the exiled Jews felt a need to bind themselves symbolically to their former homeland. Tu BiShvat served in part to fill that spiritual need. Jews used this time each year to eat a variety of fruits and nuts that could be obtained from Israel. The practice, a sort of physical association with the land, continued for many centuries.l for both Israelis and Jews throughout the world
Tu BiShvat: History
Although the celebration of Tu BiShvat has a long and varied history, the theme most commonly ascribed to the holiday today is the environment.
Lag BaOmer: History
Lag BaOmer is a shorthand way of saying the 33rd day of the Omer. (The numerical value of the Hebrew letter lamed is 30, and the value of gimel is three; lamed and gimel together are pronounced “lahg.”) In addition to tracking the agricultural cycle, the Omer marks the seven-week period from Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt, to Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Counting of the Omer: Blessings for Each Day
The period between Passover and Shavuot is called the “Counting of the Omer” ( Sefirat Ha'omer).
Tasty Recipes for Tu BiShvat, a.k.a Jewish Arbor Day
On Jewish Arbor Day, a.k.a. Tu BiShvat, it’s customary to eat the fruits and nuts that grow on trees in Israel. Try these fruity and nutty recipes on their own or as part of a Tu BiShvat seder.
16 Pumpkin-Centric Jewish Recipes for Fall
Autumn is upon us. Autumn isn’t the best season just because it’s full of Jewish holidays; it’s also the season of delicious pumpkin-flavored foods. Here are ReformJudaism.org’s best pumpkin-themed recipes.
9 Things to Know About Sukkot
Even though the High Holidays are over, there is still plenty of celebrating to do. Here are nine things to know about Sukkot, the holiday that follows Yom Kippur.
How to Say the Sukkot Blessings and Shake the Lulav
Rabbi Sari Laufer demonstrates how to hold the lulav and etrog, how to say the blessings, and how to wave it for the holiday of Sukkot. View all of the Sukkot blessings.