The Mourner’s Kaddish Is Misunderstood
The prayer does not praise (or even name) God. Here’s why.
Tu Bishvat 2021
In 2021, the "birthday of the trees" begins at sundown on Wednesday Jan. 27 and ends at sundown on Thursday Jan. 28..
Your Hub for Jewish Education
Discover the latest in Jewish events, podcasts and more at the education hub.
What's New Today
Prayer as Spiritual Practice
Ask most people about their long-term goals for prayer and they often lack even the vocabulary to venture an answer.
Deutero-Isaiah: A Prophet of Comfort
After first Isaiah’s message of rebuke, another writing under his name came to comfort Israel with immortal poetry.
Explore In Depth
Sign Up For All About Keeping Kosher
Explore what it means to keep kosher, from the basics to how to set up a kosher kitchen. Sign up ...
Sign up for Jewish Wisdom for Hard Times
In times of crisis, Jewish texts can offer us wisdom and guidance. Our new email series will explore how Jewish ...
Sign up for Personalities of the Bible
Get to know fascinating personalities from the Jewish Bible, and learn how you can be like them. Take a deep ...
Next Torah Portion
Summary
In this Torah portion, God tells Moses to have the Israelites set up camp at the Sea of Reeds, but then Pharaoh changes his mind about freeing the Israelites and chases his former slaves. With the Egyptians on the Israelites’ tail, God splits the sea and Moses leads the Israelites through it. When the Egyptians enter, God closes the waters, and the Egyptians drown. Miriam leads all the Israelite women in song and dance to celebrate. Soon after, the Israelites begin to complain about life in the desert. God provides quail and manna to feed them. The Israelites battle the Amalekites and win.
Featured Commentary
Children of Nachshon
Liberation comes only to the courageous.
Videos
Breaking the Glass at a Jewish Wedding
Why the Jewish wedding ceremony ends with a famous bang.
Tu Bishvat, the Jewish ‘Birthday’ of the Trees
A minor festival seemingly tailor-made for today's Jewish environmentalists.
How to Say the Shehechiyanu Blessing
This blessing is traditionally recited upon doing something for the first time.
Recipes
More From MJL
Why Music is Fundamental to Jewish Prayer
Jewish tradition teaches that music unlocks the door to divine connection.
9 Things You Didn’t Know About Tu Bishvat
Lesser-known facts about the Jewish “Earth Day.”
The 11 Best Ladino Expressions and Phrases To Know
Learn some choice phrases, including the most epic sneeze response ever, in this Sephardic language also known as Judeo-Spanish.
The Shema: A Model of Moral Development
The prayer's three paragraphs seem unrelated, but they lead us on the steps of a spiritual journey.
Judaism and Pets: Questions and Answers
What Jewish tradition says about cats, dogs and other companion animals.