Jewish History

[image] Tu B'Av (the 15th of Av) is an ancient Jewish holiday of joy, love, and matchmaking that historically marked the end of the wilderness wandering generation, the permission for inter-tribal marriage, and the final wood-gathering day for the Temple altar. It serves as a profound

[image] Anne Frank in color

[image] On March 29, 1516, the Venetian Republic decreed the establishment of the world’s first official Jewish ghetto in the Cannaregio district. Roughly 700 Jewish residents were forced into a small, gated, and guarded area—originally an industrial foundry site—designed to segregate

[text] The Nine Days in Judaism, which began today, are a period of heightened mourning from the 1st to the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av, culminating in the fast of Tisha B'Av. They commemorate the destruction of the First and Second Holy Temples in Jerusalem, as well as other

[image] The 17th of Tammuz

[image] This week is Parshas Re’eh. Parshat Re'eh begins with Moses telling the Israelites that they can choose a blessing by obeying God or a curse by following idols. He commands them to destroy all pagan sites in the Promised Land and bring all holy sacrifices to one central place

[text] Jewish History for Today: When the physicist Albert Einstein visited Jerusalem in February 1923, he met with the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Palestine, Abraham Isaac Kook. The encounter brought together two brilliant minds—one mapping the physical universe, the other

[image] Jewish History General Knowledge: Max Yasgur, a Jewish dairy farmer from Bethel, NY, made Woodstock possible. In August of 1969, when other towns rejected the festival, he leased his land. A conservative Republican who faced local boycotts and backlash, he stood firm for free

[image] This week's Torah portion is Parshat Vaetchanan, read on July 25, 2026 (11 Av 5786). It covers Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11, featuring Moses' prayer to enter the Promised Land, the repetition of the Ten Commandments, and the Shema. It is also known as Shabbat Nachamu, the Sabbath of

[image] This week is Parshat Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25) where Moses continues his farewell speech to the Israelites, promising material and spiritual rewards for keeping God's commandments, praising the bounty of the Promised Land, and recalling past wilderness rebellions like the

[text] Jewish History Knowledge Daily: What is a Minhag? A minhag is a Jewish custom—something the community has long practiced, even if it’s not a strict law from the Torah or rabbis. Unlike halakha (Jewish law), which is obligatory, a minhag begins as a tradition or local custom.

[image] Brief summary of this week’s Parshah. Parashat Ki Teitzei is in the Book of Deuteronomy Devarim (Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19) and contains seventy-four commandments, the most of any single Torah portion. The portion covers a wide and diverse range of civil, social, and moral laws