In Judaism, men customarily cover their heads with a skullcap as a sign of humility before God, though it is not mandated by law. In Hebrew, it is called a kippah; in Yiddish, a yarmulke. In Europe, the custom dates to the end of the 16th century. Learn how to wear a kippah (yarmulke) with this Howcast guide.
Jonathan Ginsburg teaches you how to recite the mourner's Kaddish prayer.
Learn how to use traditional Jewish mysticism, from the Kabbalah, to enhance your life.
Learn how to sing hallel Psalm service. Part 1 of 2 - How to Sing hallel Psalm service.
The dreidel, the small top that's among the most recognizable symbols of the Hanukkah season, is a fun game of chance to play with friends and family.
Jonathan Ginsburg shows you how to sing the Shabbat Torah service in Hebrew.
In this blessing we express our gratitude to HaShem for the fact that our bodies continue to function properly. The Asher Yatzar prayer is over two thousand years old. This video explains how to say this Jewish bathroom prayer.
This animated video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to wash your hands in accordance with Jewish law before eating bread. Besides cleanliness and holiness, the instant reason the rabbis call for washing before bread is to keep alive the memory of the proper treatment of teruma (the first priestly tithe that may be eaten only by kohanim and their instant families, and that must be eaten only in the absence of any tum’ah – ritual defilement).
If you don't know exactly what goes on during Hanukkah, this series of videos will set you straight. Hanukkah is the most recognized Jewish holiday, right around Christmastime, and Chaim from Maoz Israel is going to show you some traditional customs that are performed during the eight days of Hanukkah 2010. Learn about the menorah, sufgaiyots, the mysterious dreidel and the traditional Chanukah songs.
This video covers the basics of Jewish blessings - how to say each word in Jewish, what it means in English and then how to put them together in different blessings.
The first day of Hanukkah is here, the day you start lighting the candles of the menorah. So, why not ditch the wax and light the "lights" this year?
This instructional video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to put on a tallit for Jewish prayers. The tallit (or tallis or tallith) is shawl used for Jewish prayer, worn while reciting morning blessings and well as in the synagogue on Sabbath and holidays.
This instructional video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to tie your own tzitzit (or tzitzis). Tzitzis are fringes or tassels worn by observant Jews on the corners of four-cornered garments, including the tallit (prayer shawl). They are considered a time-bound commandment, which means they are worn only by men. This Judiasm video will help you learn how to tie, knot and twist strings - tzitzit - to a garment.
Check out this video to learn how to understand AND use the tree of life in the Kabbalah. This presenter is a well-known professor of religion and a spiritual counselor. Remember--don't me a martyr!
This video gives a perfect demonstration for starting out Hanukkah 2010 right. See how to light the shamash and the first candle (on the right) for the first night of Hanukkah, along with all three blessings that need to be made.
Don't know what a Tfillin is? Well, this video will explain everything you need to know about the Tefillin, otherwise known as phylacteries. It will explain what it is and why it's needed, along with how to wear it for tractional Judaism.
This animated video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to affix a mezuzah to a doorpost. In Judaism, the mezuzah (or mezuza) is a parchment inscribed with religious texts that is attached in a case to the doorpost or doorframe of a Jewish house as a sign of faith.
Giving up food and drink is an important part of this Jewish holiday, the Day of Atonement, because it helps focus the mind on repentance. Stay strong mentally and physically with these tips.
This instructional video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to perform Havdallah after Shabbat ends. Hadvallah is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the symbolic end of Shabbat and holidays, ushering in the new week.
See how to conduct the Minha daily afternoon Jewish service, because you want to be an awesome rabbi, right?
This instructional video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to light the Shabbat candles. The lighting of Shabbat candles not only ushers in the Holy Day, but is also a special time of spiritual contemplation for Judaists. It is the pivotal moment when we cross over from the weekday into the holiness of Shabbat (or Shabbos, the Jewish Sabbath).
When Christians are out celebrating Christmas this year, Judaists will be out celebrating Hanukkah, or Chanukah, which is a lesser Jewish festival that lasts eight days from the 25th day of Kislev (December), and commemorating the rededication of the Temple; it is marked by the successive kindling of eight lights.
Learn how to ritually wash before eating bread or any bread product.
This video shows you how to receive an Aliyah when at the synagog. Learn everything you'll need to know before you get there, and what to expect during this Jewish ritual.
This tutorial shows Jewish men and boys over the age of 13 how to put on Tefillin.
This video includes the 3 reasons why Kabbalah is called “the hidden science.” Kabbalah studies how our life and our world has been created, and how to achieve connection with our life’s source, the totality of reality.
This video explains how to recite a Jewish Bracha Achrona prayer which is said before a snack or meal that is not a whole meal.
This video explains what you need to have a Jewish wedding and then teaches you how to sing the 7 Jewish wedding blessings - Sheva brachote.
Dovid Krafchow, the author of Kabbalistic Tarot, explains the meaning behind the Mayan calendar according to Jewish knowledge and scientific investigation. Check out this video to learn how to understand the Mayan calendar.
The how to rabbi is here to show you how to make Kiddush. It should be made every Friday night and Sabbath afternoon and major Jewish holidays.
This videos shows you how to chant the blessings used before and after the Haftarah done on Jewish holidays.
This video explains how to do the Shabbat Kiddush (Jewish sanctification prayers) and Havdalah.
Perceiving Reality answers that if you just believe in God, then you can't live a spiritual life. What is spirituality? According to Kabbalah, spirituality can't be defined as a belief or philosophy, but only as a clear perception and sensation of reality.