Miscellaneous Laws and Customs

As we celebrate Shavuot, when G-d gave us the Torah and all its mitzvahs, let’s explore 13 mitzvahs you may never have heard of!

The Jewish year starts on Nisan 1, Elul 1, Tishrei 1 and Shevat 15, with each date bringing its own meaning.

Discussions of laws related to daily Jewish living as sourced in the weekly Torah readings.

The laws of rising in the morning, washing the hands in the morning, dressing and walking, decency in the lavatory, cleanliness for prayer or torah study, benedictions, morning benedictions and the laws before prayer

Explore some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Judaism and pet ownership.

Some mitzvahs are done daily, weekly, or annually. But there are some that happen so seldom that many of us are lucky if we experience them even once or twice over the course of our lives.

The basic laws of how to fulfill this important mitzvah.

"Thou shall not steal." Some of the precepts that are included in this prohibition.

Thinking of moving? Judaism offers insight on where to move, and there are several traditions and customs associated with new homes.

When we awaken in the morning, we immediately recognize and appreciate the kindness G-d has done with them.

We find in the Torah in a number of verses citing the preference of the right side of the body; we thus give the right side of the body honor and preferential treatment

Laws, customs and advice from the sages on how to conduct oneself while eating

Making a blessing before eating is how we acknowledge the creator who provides us with the food; now that you know the why, read of the what and how

What is Amen? When to recite Amen; when to refrain from saying amen; the laws of Yehie shmie Rabbah

Learn all about the Priestly Blessing: Who blesses and when, the preparations, the procedure of the actual blessing, the congregation’s role, and the Kabbalah behind it all.

The blessing of thanksgiving recited when one is saved from tragedy with its attendant laws and particulars

The Jewish calendar follows the lunar year. The renewal of the moon marks the beginning of the month; special laws apply on this day

To relive the miraculous events of Purim, listen to the reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther) twice: once on Purim eve and again on Purim day.

On Purim we emphasize the importance of Jewish unity and friendship by sending gifts of food to friends. We send a gift of at least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods (e.g., pastry, fruit, beverage), to at least one friend on Purim day.

Some laws and customs observed in connection to Passover during its preceding days: we are more careful with our leaven and begin learning the laws of the holiday

During the month of Nissan, when one sees a blossoming fruit tree, we make a blessing thanking G‑d for giving us trees that grow fruit.

A Halachic guide and handbook for the Jewish traveler

The dedication of a new Torah scroll is traditionally celebrated with great festivity. This article is a basic guide to the traditional induction ceremony.

Shoes have always played a role in history and culture. What about Jews and shoes?

All about the Jewish calendar and how it works

Throughout history, many societies have had secret, and not-so-secret hand signs. Jews are no different.

If we were destined to be the recipients of harsh decrees in the new year, may they be transferred to this chicken in the merit of this mitzvah of charity....

Of all the ancient laws and customs of the Jews, one of the most mysterious is that of the law forbidding shaatnez.

Does Judaism have anything to say about eating healthy and being healthy? Actually, Judaism has always been well ahead of the times in this area.

A 400 year old German Ashkenazi custom which had almost disappeared is making a comeback. This is the custom of making a "wimpel." Most know it as the binder which is wrapped around the Torah scroll.

An eruv is a technical boundary that allows Jews to carry in public areas on Shabbat.

Throughout the centuries, Jews identified themselves as kohanim simply because their fathers were kohanim. But are these tribal affiliations just a matter of folklore and tradition? Can such claims actually be proven?

Some events right at the birth of our nationhood were so significant that G‑d commands us to remember them forever.

The synogouge is a holy place some laws on how one should conduct themselves

The nazirite is a holy calling—rising above the mundane by observing a meticulous lifestyle

There are seven mitzvahs that the prophets and rabbis of the ancient judicial courts initiated during the first millennium after the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.

It is a mitzvah, ordained by the prophets, to fast on those days on which tragic events occurred to our forefathers.

Let’s take a step back and learn 13 facts about this building block of Jewish life known as bikur cholim.

The nature of any two-way relationship is that each person brings his or her strengths and weaknesses, and that is exactly why it works so well...

Do you know your Shabbat candles from Havdalah candles? How about Mezuzahs and Menorahs?

From the Temple service to the Shabbat table, Judaism has a long (and complicated) relationship with wine and drinking.

Throughout our history, many Jews have been taken captive and ransomed or sold as slaves. There is an obligation upon Jews and Jewish communities to ensure the release of Jewish captives.

From the great Sanhedrin in Temple times to the beth din of today, these courts have always played an important role in Jewish life.

You will certainly learn something you did not know!

For Jews, fish are much more than a scrumptious supper—they play a key role in many cherished, time-honored traditions and customs.