The Passover Seder as Live Action Role Playing

Is it any surprise that the Passover Seder is essentially the world’s oldest Jewish role-playing game, predating “Dungeons & Dragons” by millennia? How did the Sages of yore get us to joyfully participate in Jewish rituals, and what does all this have to do with mutual scallion whippings?

Celebrating Hanukkah in Times of Danger

The light of the Hanukkah candles shining through our windows is one of the most important aspects of the holiday, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. Yet, there have been moments in Jewish history when even lighting candles posed a danger to Jewish communities around the world. Over the centuries, how have Jews coped when the simple act of lighting the menorah put them at risk?

My White Dress: Why Do Jews Wear White on Holidays?

During the holiday season, most of us will likely arrive at synagogue or at the family meal dressed in white, praying that no red wine or beet juice gets sprayed on our dresses and shirts. In fact, some Jewish men will be showing up at synagogue wearing a striking white robe – an introduction to the “kittel”.

Embracing the Light of Hanukkah

Jewish pride is exemplified annually in the tradition of lighting the hanukkiah candles, but the Hanukkah story itself is actually full of themes of concealment and hiddenness. So why is Hanukkah celebrated with this self-confident display of our Judaism and why is this practice so very important, especially in dark times like these, when Hanukkah will be celebrated amidst a backdrop of Jewish suffering and war.

What a Load of Kreplach!

Kreplach are small dumplings made with minced meat, chopped vegetables, and often a layer of cabbage leaf… and no one likes them! So why do we eat these little dumplings each Sukkot? Where did the tradition come from? And is it really important enough to ruin our chicken soup for?

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The Woman Who Ignited the Hasmonean Rebellion

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?