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Judaism
Very few know her story. It isn’t taught in schools and certainly not in kindergartens, but according to the midrash, Hannah, daughter of Matityahu, sister of the Maccabees, was a key figure in the Hanukkah story. What does the midrash tell us of the woman who stood up to protect her Jewish sisters? How did she use her wedding day to spark the fire of rebellion in her brothers?
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The six pointed star represents peace and harmony in Buddhism, while alchemists believed it symbolized nature—how did the Star of David acquire its significance in Judaism?
How the biblical figure of Naamah evolved into a terrifying demon that rises from the depths of the sea to seduce the men of the world
Diaspora, Judaism
Learn how a traditional Jewish prayer melody inspired everyone – from classical composers to filmmakers to psychedelic rock bands.
Gabriel, the archangel in charge of Heaven’s heavy lifting
The story of the three angels charged with safeguarding newborn babies and their mothers
These methods will help you discover if you are in possession of an ancient book containing mystical powers, or perhaps not
Dracula? He’s nothing compared to the first vampire in history, the one and only Lilith. Among her many “hobbies”: hounding humankind, causing crib death and night emissions in men, and sucking blood.
How did we come to celebrate the New Year in the fall when in the Bible it was celebrated in the spring? And what is the origin of the first month’s peculiar name?
Parents have probably been singing songs to their children since the dawn of history, but “Chad Gadya” – composed specifically to help children stay awake until the very end of the Passover Seder – may be the first song ever printed specially for children
How did the pointed hat of European aristocracy become an anti-Jewish Symbol? And was it the forerunner of the modern skullcap?
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