Tag
Customs
9 articles
Rosh Hashanah Customs and Simanim: A Complete Guide
Rosh Hashanah is rich with customs and symbolic foods — from apples and honey to the head of a fish, from pomegranates to dates. Explore the full simanim table, Ashkenazi vs. Sephardic comparisons, and the meaning behind every tradition.
Jewish Superstitions and Folk Beliefs: Ayin Hara, Red Strings, and Kenahora
Judaism officially discourages superstition — and yet Jewish culture is full of it. From the evil eye to not naming babies after the living, these beliefs reveal the anxious, loving heart of the tradition.
Why Do Jews Wear Yarmulkes? The Meaning Behind the Kippah
The kippah (yarmulke) is worn as a sign of reverence before God — a reminder that something is always above you. Not biblical, but deeply meaningful.
Ashkenazi vs Sephardi Holiday Customs
Same holidays, different customs — from the kitniyot debate at Passover to the simanim on Rosh Hashanah. A guide to how Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews celebrate the same festivals in beautifully different ways.
Jewish Table Manners: The Customs and Blessings of the Jewish Meal
Wash your hands before bread, tear the challah (don't cut it), salt it, and remove the knife before grace. Jewish table customs transform every meal into something sacred.
Jewish Travel Customs and Prayers: Hitting the Road the Jewish Way
There's a prayer for the journey, a blessing for departure, customs for what to carry, and wisdom about how to travel safely. Judaism takes the road seriously.
Rosh Hashanah Cards: The Beautiful Tradition of L'Shanah Tovah
From 19th-century German lithographs to WhatsApp messages, the tradition of sending Rosh Hashanah greetings connects Jews across distance and time with wishes for a sweet new year.
Pregnancy in Jewish Tradition: Customs, Prayers, and Beliefs
Jewish tradition surrounds pregnancy with a rich tapestry of customs, prayers, and protective practices — from not announcing the pregnancy too early to the prayers recited during labor. Explore how Judaism sanctifies the journey from conception to birth.
Jewish Naming Traditions: Ashkenazi vs Sephardi Customs
Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews follow opposite naming customs: Ashkenazim name children after deceased relatives, while Sephardim honor living family members. These traditions reveal different approaches to memory, honor, and family continuity.