Collection
A set of source sheets examining aspects of the Jewish holidays.
Sheets
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Personally Connecting to Avinu MalkeinuBackground, questions, and music for Avinu Malkeinu
What is Sh’mini Atzeret?The basics and not-so-basics of Shemini Atzeret
What's a Lulav and Etrog?The basics and not-so-basics of lulav and etrog.
What is Rosh Chodesh?A text-based summary of the Rosh Chodesh basics.
David Schwartz•2482 Views•January 12, 2022•BimBam,Reading Torah,Lord of the Rings,Birkat Hamazon,Hallel,Rabban Gamliel,Samaritans,Kiddush Hachodesh,Kippalive,David and Jonathan,Fire,Ya'aleh V'yavoh,Moon,Leap Year,David,Music,Birkat Hachodesh,Women,Months,David and Saul,Musaf,Golden Calf,Amidah,Menstruation,Trumpet,Rosh Chodesh,Reading of the Torah,Calendar,Leyning,Sacrifices
Comparing High Holiday and Shabbat ServicesComparing Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur services
Personally Connecting to AshamnuAn examination of the various aspects of how we do Ashamnu, plus musical examples
The Evolution of Yom KippurLooking at Yom Kippur in the Torah and Mishnah, and some academic comparisons to similar practices in the Ancient Near East.
David Schwartz•94 Views•August 1, 2024•Ancient Near East,Biblical Scholarship,Yom Kippur,Babylonia,Biblical Criticism
Personally Connecting to Psalm 27Questions and musical examples to deepen a personal connection to Psalm 27 and “Achat Sha’alti”
Personally Connecting to HavdalahA sheet with questions to personally connect to Havdalah - also musical versions and the sources for each verse before the blessings.
Yom Kippur Through the Lens of PurimYom Kippur is also called “Yom Kippurim”, which could be broken up to mean “Yom K’-Purim”, “a day like Purim”. How does this shed light on Yom Kippur?
The Story of the Four QuestionsAn examination of how Ma Nishtana has evolved over time.
Grog and Groggers: The Origin of Purim CustomsThe origins of Hamantaschen, Groggers, Costumes, Shpiels, “Chag Purim”, Drinking, Seudah, Megillah, Matanot LeEvyonim, and Mishloach Manot
Jewish Halloween: Sources and StoriesA look at Jewish sources on Halloween topics, as well as Jewish “ghost stories”
David Schwartz•1941 Views•October 16, 2022•Pranks,Grim Reaper,Pumpkins,Dybbuk,Satan,Magic,Hell,Magicians,Demons,Zombies,Goats (שעירים),Ibbur,Curses,Haunted Houses,Goat-Demons,Saul,En-Dor,Sacrifices,Golems,Goblins,Witches,Vampires,Ghosts,Exorcism,Dybbuks,Candy,Werewolves,Monsters,Black Cats,Halloween,Evil Spirits
The Origin of Chanukah CustomsAn explanation of the customs of Dreidels, gelt, presents, the story, latkes, sufganiyot, candles, and “Maoz Tzur”.
Contemporary KinotMost Tisha B’Av Kinot are long and not-well known. This is a set of “contemporary Kinot” that will fit the mood of the day while being shorter and better known. It was put together by Cantor Neil Schwartz
Mi She’ana: Finding Our AnswersAn examination of the stories, with discussion questions, in Mi She’ana, along with musical examples
Esther: An 8-Act StoryLooking at the Purim story from Esther's perspective, along with some videos.
Five Stories About Revelation4 midrashim about Revelation, with context and discussion questions
Editors
David Schwartz
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