The Newest (and least known) Israeli holiday

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2022 | Antisemitism, Israel, Zechariah

In June 2004, the Israeli Knesset instituted Herzl Day to be observed on the 10th of Iyar, Theodor Herzl’s birthday. On this day, a state memorial service is held on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem and at IDF camps and schools. Time is devoted to learning about the...

Yom HaAtzmaut: Celebrating Israel’s Independence

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 3, 2022 | Israel, Israel's Independence Day, Redemption

Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Day of Independence, is observed on the fifth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar. It commemorates the signing of the Israeli Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948, on the eve of the end of the British Mandate. At the time,...

Yom HaZikaron: Remembering Those Who Died Sanctifying God’s Name

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 3, 2022 | Israel, Israel's Independence Day, Israel's Memorial Day

Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Remembrance Day, is observed on the 4th of Hebrew month of Iyar.  The full name of the day Yom HaZikaron LeChalalei Ma’arachot Yisrael ul’Nifge’ei Pe’ulot HaEivah (Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars...

Amos’ Vision of the Third Temple Period

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 28, 2022 | Acharei Mot, Amos, Holiness, Israel, Temple

The Torah portion of Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16-18) begins with a reference to the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, who died bringing a “foreign fire” while performing the service in the Tabernacle. Directly after this personal tragedy, God...

Yom Hashoah: Memorializing the Holocaust and the Heroism

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 28, 2022 | Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israel

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust remembrance day) is commemorated worldwide each year on the 27th of Nisan as a day to honor the memories of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. If the 27th of Nisan is adjacent to the Shabbat (either Friday or Sunday), the date is...

The Biblical Symbolism Of Passover Foods

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 11, 2022 | Bo, Israel, Passover, Redemption, Temple

The home-based Passover service, known as the Passover Seder, is brimming with Biblical symbolism. Seder is the Hebrew word for order, alluding to the idea that God runs the world in an orderly manner. Similarly, there are 15 steps to the Seder and they are completed...