For some Jews, the idea of celebrating New Year’s on December 31 makes them feel uncomfortable. They see the holiday as part of secular tradition and therefore not “Jewish.” Some choose not to participate because they see it as a betrayal of Jewish tradition. Why is commemorating an American custom viewed so suspiciously? Are we afraid that it will somehow make Jewish traditions...
The Sound of the Shofar
Folks, for those of you who didn’t get a chance to hear the Shofar this Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, or for our readers who don’t know what the Shofar sounds like, click on the link below. I keep playing it and the goose bumps keep coming up on my entire body because it will be the sound of the heralding of Moshiach.
Enjoy.
The Sound of the Shofar
Some Ideas to Make the Upcoming Yom Kippur Service More Meaningful by Rabbi Kalman Packouz
Take pleasure! You made an important decision to attend. Don’t regret it. You are not there to be entertained. You are there to accomplish something on a spiritual level – to come closer to the Almighty, to introspect, to set yourself on a better path in life. Don’t blame the service or the rabbi or the prayerbook. If you want to you can prepare in advance – read the...
2005 Rosh Hashana 5765
Shanah Tovah! Happy New Year!
Wishing each of you a sweet new year with good health, happiness and success.
What is Rosh Hashana ?
Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year, commemorating the creation of Adam and Eve, the first human beings. On Rosh Hashana, the Books of Life and Death are open on the heavenly desk. On this “Day of Judgment,” we each stand before God and offer our best case for being “created anew” — i.e. granted another year of life. The morning before Rosh Hashana, we perform...
The most important time of the Jewish year is often the most misunderstood. Here’s all the basics you need to know.
The High Holiday period actually begins in Elul, the Hebrew month preceding Rosh Hashana. Elul is an important period of introspection, of clarifying life’s goals, and of coming closer to God. Because when the big day of Rosh Hashana comes, and each individual stands before the Almighty to ask for another year, we’ll want to know what we’re asking for!During Elul, many people...
Join us here at Smooth Stone along with other people of good conscience and put an end to the brutal terror of the Palestinian Authority complicit in the ethnic cleansing of indigenous Jews from their homeland of Israel.