Archive for November 2017
Hand-Washing Blessing in ASL
This video demonstrates how to sign the ritual hand-washing blessing in American Sign Language, which is especially helpful for those who
Hand-Washing & Silence on Shabbat
This home video explores the custom of refraining from speaking between washing one’s hands and making the blessing over the bread.
Ritual Hand-Washing Upon Waking vs. Before Eating Bread
This short home video compares the different customs of washing one’s hands after waking up and before eating bread. Although
How Kiddush Became Part of the Synagogue Service
This article by the late German Jewish scholar Rabbi Ismar Elbogen discusses how the Kiddush was introduced into the synagogue service in
The Blessing Over Wine: Masculine, Feminine and Non-Gendered God Language
This post includes the blessing recited over wine in Hebrew, English and transliterated, using masculine, feminine and non-gendered God-language. This
Kiddush & Building Community: Humanistic Liturgy
This community-centered blessing over the wine was composed by Machar: The Washington Congregation for Secular Humanistic Judaism. Typical of this movement, founded
Let’s Learn T’fillah: Netilat Yadayim
This short, interactive, animated video demonstrates how to recite the ritual hand-washing blessing, including a brief introduction and the Hebrew
Why Do We Not Speak Inbetween Washing Our Hands and Eating Bread?
In this clear video, Orthodox Rabbi Simon Harris of Wembley United Synagogue describes the halachic development of the custom of
Secular/ Humanist HaMotzi Texts
The following excerpts from a Secular/Humanist Shabbat Service emphasize our connection to the land and themes of social justice, in
Do We Wash Each Hand Two or Three Times?
This short post describes the different halachic opinions regarding how many times one must wash each hand when performing the