The Forty Days - Part 4 | The Great Return
In this session, we unpack the details of the holidays of Sukkot, Hoshannah Rabbah, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah.
Holidays and Festivals
52 posts
Between the Seasons: Doyō and the Hebrew Month of Elul
In this article, we explore the spiritual significance of seasonal transitions and parallels between Eastern and Jewish cultures. Both seem to recognize the fall as a threshold between cycles, and both encourage using this time for reflection, preparation, and celebration.
The Forty Days - Part 3 | Yom Kippur
In part 3 of our series, we discuss the Biblical, traditional, and spiritual foundations of Yom Kippur.
The Forty Days - Part 2 | Rosh Hashanah
In part 2, we explore the origins of Rosh Hashanah in the Bible, why this time period is so important for repentance, and some hints in the text that indicate that it is not just for Jews.
The Nations on Trial: Rosh Hashanah and the Divine Council
A close reading of the Book of Job provides an overlooked connection between the nations, judgment, and the fall holidays of the Bible.
The Forty Days | Part 1 - Ending
In this series, we're tapping into the tradition of preparing for the Fall Biblical holidays, and how to make the best use of our time. Part 1 is about ending well, closing the year out with intention and purpose.
Featured
Was Thomas a Doubter? The Pharisees' Tradition and the Resurrection.
Thomas's refusal to believe in the resurrection without seeing Jesus's wounds is typically read as a failure of faith. But against the backdrop of rabbinic tradition, the Gospel of John affirms details of the Pharisaic tradition of the Resurrection of the Dead.
Counting the Omer: A Downloadable Daily Guide
Get our free guide to Counting the Omer. 49 days of short Mussar reflections to inspire growth through the 7 weeks.
Video: Passover, a Festival of Freedom | Part 2
In this session, we look at the transition from the Passover Seder into the Counting of the Omer, and how the Torah has provided a model for spiritual transformation.
Video: Passover, a Festival of Freedom | Part 1
In this session, we look at some of the deeper insights in the Exodus story, from the Egyptian beliefs of the afterlife, how the plagues undermined specific Egyptian gods, and some key insights about the holiday of Pesach.
Aaru & The Field of Reeds Reversal: Egypt’s Afterlife Symbol in the Exodus Story
In Egyptian belief, the soul’s final paradise was called Aaru, which means “Reeds.” But in the Exodus story, the "Sea of Reeds" becomes the place where Pharaoh’s army is swallowed, an ironic reversal of Egypt’s vision of the eternal.
The Hardening of Pharoah's Heart and the Egyptian Heart-Weighing Ceremony
Ancient Egyptians believed the soul was judged by the weight of the heart, and the Torah uses similar language for Pharaoh. Coincidence? Did God harden Pharaoh's heart, or, as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks suggests, is there another story in the text that modern readers have missed?