Jewish Customs and Traditions

Shabbat: The day of rest, observed from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday.

Kashrut: The dietary laws that prohibit certain foods such as pork or shellfish and dictate how to properly prepare and consume food.

Hanukkah: The Jewish festival of lights that commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

Passover: The celebration of the fleeing of the Jewish people from Egypt and their liberation from slavery.

Bar Mitzvah/Bat Mitzvah: The Jewish coming of age ceremony for boys and girls, when they become responsible for their own religious obligations.

Yom Kippur: The Jewish day of atonement, where individuals fast and repent for their sins.

Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year, where individuals reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead.

Sukkot: The festival of booths, where Jews build and reside in temporary outdoor shelters to commemorate the time when the Israelites wandered in the wilderness.

Tefillin: The phylacteries worn during morning prayers as a reminder of the Jewish obligations and connection to God.

Tallit: The prayer shawl worn during prayer services as a reminder of the Jewish commandments.

Bris Milah: The Jewish circumcision ceremony for male infants on the eighth day after birth.

Mikveh: The ritual bath used for purification for certain Jewish holidays or life events, such as conversion or marriage.

Tzedakah: The Jewish practice of giving to charity and helping those in need.

Hiddur Mitzvah: The practice of beautifying Jewish commandments and rituals through the use of aesthetically pleasing objects or decorations.

Purim: The Jewish festival that celebrates the events in the book of Esther, including the defeat of the evil Haman and the salvation of the Jewish people.

Four Sons: The four children mentioned in the Passover Haggadah that represent different attitudes towards Judaism and the Exodus story.

Tisha B’Av: The Jewish day of mourning that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

Synagogue: The Jewish place of worship and communal gathering.

Kaddish: The Jewish prayer for mourning, recited during funerals and other occasions of grief.

Mezuzah: The scroll containing Jewish verses that is affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes as a reminder of the presence of God.

Shabbat: This is a weekly day of rest that begins at sundown on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday.

High Holy Days: These are special days of prayer and introspection, including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.

Passover: This is a holiday that celebrates the Jewish people's liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Hanukkah: This is a festival of lights that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Brit Milah: This is the Jewish circumcision ceremony for male babies.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah: This is a coming-of-age ceremony for Jewish boys (Bar Mitzvah) and girls (Bat Mitzvah), usually celebrated at the age of 13.

Tzedakah: This is the Jewish tradition of giving to charity.

Kashrut: This is the Jewish dietary laws, which specify what foods are permitted to be eaten and how they must be prepared.

Mikvah: This is a ritual bath used for spiritual purification.

Tallit and Tefillin: These are the prayer shawls and phylacteries that Jewish men wear during prayer.