Judaism
JUDAISM FEATURES
Thank heaven for Shavuot
Shavuot ought to be the most popular of the major festivals.
Why I won’t be singing on Jerusalem Day
When Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks issued his new edition of the Singer’s Prayer book, the United Synagogue’s standard siddur for the first time mentioned Jerusalem Day.
Two heads are better for learning than one
An ancient Jewish system of learning is being suggested as the way forward for schools in the UK.
The historical disaster the rabbis covered up
The traditional way of teaching the background of the Omer period, between Pesach and Shavuot, is that its original, joyful harvest spirit was suddenly transformed into a period of semi-mourning on account of a tragedy that occurred to the disciples of Rabbi Akiva (135 CE).
THE JEWISH CALENDAR
Friday, May 25
(Sivan 4), Shabbat begins in London at 8.46; Bournemouth 8.43; Leeds 8.58; Manchester 9.04; Tyneside 9.10; Glasgow 9.25; Jerusalem 6.55 (local time).
Saturday, May 26
(Sivan 5), Shabbat ends, and the festival of Shavuot begins, in London at 10.03; Bournemouth 10.11; Leeds 10.25; Manchester 10.31; Tyneside 10.36; Glasgow 11.03; Jerusalem 8.17.
BOOK EXTRACTS
The Torah Revolution – Fourteen Truths that Changed the World
Jewish Lights, $24.
ROCKER'S ROLL
Simon Rocker
"Should Orthodox deputies cover their heads?"
NEW BOOKS
The Arrow of Justice
Rabbi Aryeh Leib(Lionel) Broder addresses the question of why does God allow cruelty in the world and other hot topics in his examination of biblical stories, from Joab’s conquest of Jerusalem to the tragic naivety of the last king of Judah, Zedekiah.
BOOK REVIEWS
How the rabbis made history
The second of Rabbi Dr Benny Lau's monumental Chachamim series to be translated into English, this work, like its companion three volumes (three so far), looks at the development and challenges of the Jewish people through the lives and teachings of rabbinical leaders.
RABBI, I HAVE A PROBLEM
 
An Orthodox and a Reform rabbi tackle problems in Jewish life. |
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JEWISH WORDS
Puzzled by a Jewish word or term?
Do you know the origin of Abracadabra, Bedecken or Chutzpah?
Click into Rabbi Julian Sinclair's directory of Jewish Words if you'd like to find out.
JEWISH WAYS
Reading the Book of Ruth on Shavuot
Alongside the episode of giving the Torah, on Shavuot we also read the seemingly less spectacular story of Ruth.
