Science and Ecology

Judaism and Cats

Ancient Jewish sources are ambivalent about cats, seeing them as somewhere between domestic and wild.

Saving a Life (Pikuach Nefesh)

Most of Jewish law can and should be set aside in order to avoid endangering a person’s health or safety.

Asher Yatzar: Gratitude for the Rhythm of Life

The blessing traditionally recited after using the restroom reimagined as praise for the inner drumbeat sustaining the body.

Ask the Expert: Free-Form Prayer?

Do Jews ever pray like this?

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Get ready for hanukkah!

Hannukkah begins in 2024 at sundown on December 25th.

Hanukkah 101

From candle-lighting to Maccabees and latkes to dreidels.

What You Need to Know About the Hanukkah Story

The Maccabean revolt and the miracle of the oil.

How to Play Dreidel

Learn how to play this Hanukkah game with our video and written instructions.

Next Torah Portion

Summary

In this Torah portion, Jacob has a dream in which angels go up and down a ladder connecting earth to heaven. God appears before Jacob and renews the covenant that God had made with Abraham. Jacob sees Rachel, Laban’s daughter, tending sheep and wishes to marry her. Laban tricks Jacob into marrying his eldest daughter, Leah, after seven years of labor. In exchange for another seven years of work, Jacob is allowed to marry Rachel. Jacob has many sons with Leah, but Rachel is unable to conceive. Finally, God blesses Rachel, and she has a son, whom she names Joseph.

FULL SUMMARY
HAFTARAH SUMMARY

Parashat Vayetzei

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Hosea 12:13-14:10

Parashat Vayetzei: Leah’s Hidden Blessing

Why does the Torah specifically mention the “weak eyes” of the matriarch Leah?

An Intro to Maimonides

Hosted by: My Jewish Learning


Recharge Now

Our weekly Shabbat newsletter, Recharge, features a thoughtful, timely essay to enrich your Shabbat. Here are a few of our recent pieces:

God Is In This Place

Turning away from our destination may be how we get where we need to go.

Attitude of Gratitude

How can we cultivate gratitude as a consistent state of being?

Time at My Side

Why I’m letting go of the future and recommitting to the here and now.


MORE from MY JEWISH LEARNING

Jews and Guns

What Judaism teaches about firearms, hunting and more.

Jews and Finance

The idea that Jews are good with money is one of the oldest Jewish stereotypes. But it’s undeniable that Jews are well-represented in finance and business.

The Jews of Greece

The oldest Jewish community in Europe traces its history back more than 2,300 years.

Shehechiyanu: A Meditation on this Moment

This blessing, traditionally recited for firsts, can be said anytime — since every moment is new and unprecedented.

How to Talk to God

The Hasidic prayer practice of hitbodedut — talking to God freely in one’s native tongue — helps to build intimacy over time.

Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World

This phrase with kabbalistic roots has come to connote social justice.

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