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Q. Which Jewish Holiday is not biblical in origin?

A. There’s more than one. Chanukah and Purim are not, and the same goes for Tu Bishvat and other holidays instituted post Biblical era.… Read the rest

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Q. How many times am I supposed to shake the Lulav?

A. At least once each day of the Sukkot holiday, aside for Shabbat. At the very least, once during the holiday. It’s a beautiful and easy Mitzvah with a great message and enjoyable vigor.… Read the rest

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Q. Why would different calendars list different times for the end of Yom Kippur?

A. (1) Check to be sure they’re from the same region. Depending on the longitude and latitude – timing differs. (2) There are several opinions in Jewish Law in terms of defining “dark” and “nightfall”. While the times we use … Read the rest

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Q. Where can I do “Tashlich” around here, and until when?

A. WHAT: “Tashlich” is a prayer ceremony said near a body of “living” water (i.e. with fish) “casting away our sins” and asking for G-d’s protection for the New Year. It has become a nice time for the community to … Read the rest

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Q. Why commemorate the ‘Omer’ when so many worse tragedies followed?

A. During the period between Passover and Shavuot (or until Lag B’Omer) traditional Jews refrain from live music and weddings etc in commemoration of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died during this time, about 2,000 years ago. True, … Read the rest

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Q. What do I need – to do or bring – to enter a Sukkah?

A. Warm clothing (unless you’re in Florida or we have Indian Summer) and a festive Holiday Spirit. The nice thing about a Sukkah is that it isn’t as formal as a fancy synagogue, and you’re welcome in – just the … Read the rest

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Q. Why is the Jewish New Year on a different date each year?

A. We’re on a different calendar. The Secular calendar follows the Solar Cycle of 365 days each year, while the Jewish calendar follows the Lunar Cycle of 354 days (yet we are different than the Muslim’s strictly lunar reckoning, for … Read the rest

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Q. Why do Jews outside of Israel keep an extra day of Passover?

A. Back in the days when our calendar was determined by the testimony of witnesses on the sighting of a New Moon, messengers had to be sent to all Jewish communities so that they would know when the new month … Read the rest

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Q. Why is the Jewish New Year in September? 

A. Well, The Jewish New Year follows a totally different calendar. Depending on the year, the Jewish New Year can fall at the tail end of September, too. Generally speaking, September seems to be a more reasonable start than January. … Read the rest

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Q. Is there history behind Yom Kippur?

A. Plenty. Moses came down with the 2nd Tablets on Yom Kippur, along with G-d’s pardon for the Jews’ first big sin. Yom Kippur is written right in the Torah, as a fast day, a day of atonement, the “One” … Read the rest

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