JPost.com - Jewish Holidays | The Jerusalem Post

The many faces of Shavuot harvest, revelation, and tradition

BY RONALD EISENBERG — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:12:49 GMT

The Torah is described as the Tree of Life, and there is a legend that Mount Sinai once was a “green mountain” covered with trees and shrubs.

Shavuot 2025: Diving into the Book of Ruth, a reminder tradition can grow

BY BENJAMIN J. SEGAL — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 11:52:49 GMT

Beyond its being an inspiring story, The Book of Ruth can be enjoyed as a moving example of how tradition can grow.

Shavuot 2025: Why do we group Jewish holidays together?

BY MICHAEL M. COHEN — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 11:04:15 GMT

By adding Purim to the duo of Passover and Shavuot, this trio reminds us that hiddenness is not static. It is dynamic.

Shavuot in 1948: Harvesting the first fruits of Israeli statehood under siege

BY ALEX WINSTON — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 09:51:56 GMT

It was the collision of Israel’s past with its present and future. The offerings may have been meager. The dairy dishes improvised. But the spirit was resolute.

Reaccepting the Torah: Looking back the first Shavuot after the fall of Nazi Germany

BY YAEL HALFON — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 08:05:22 GMT

For many Holocaust survivors, May 18, 1945 was the first Shavuot they were able to celebrate after years of war.

Confirmations on Shavuot's first day helped preserve American Jewish identity

BY DAVID GEFFEN — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 02:44:40 GMT

Most Atlanta synagogues held a confirmation on the first day of the Shavuot holiday - unusual by then for many American Jewish communities.

A Zionist holiday: By celebrating Shavuot, we celebrate resettling Israel - opinion

BY MOSHE DANN — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 09:12:42 GMT

By celebrating Shavuot, we celebrate our connection to the land and our ability to make the desert bloom. It is our Garden of Eden.

Passover 2025: A ‘midrashic’ lesson for these days

BY MICHAEL M. COHEN — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 12:44:38 GMT

In light of this agonizing and ongoing reality, a quote from the midrash can be a challenge to embrace, as it forces us to think and look outward at our enemies in a different light.

Passover 2025: Crossing your own Red Sea

BY MICHAEL FREUND — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 12:03:32 GMT

We all face Red Seas in one form or another. But the good news is that just as God parted the waters for our forefathers when they left Egypt, He can part them for us as well.

Passover 2025: When God hides, we still believe

BY MOSHE TARAGIN — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:58:34 GMT

Faith isn’t about finding all the answers – it’s about having shoulders wide enough, and spirits deep enough, to carry the weight of the questions.

The tragedy of the firstborn: Inherent legal, societal burdens of the eldest child - explainer

BY HAIM KATZ AND SAM KATZ — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 17:56:19 GMT

The tragedy for the firstborn is that he is left with the anomalous status that puts on him sometimes vast societal and psychological expectations, but has equal legal status with the rest.

Counting the Omer: A journey from Passover to Shavuot

BY RONALD EISENBERG — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 17:05:58 GMT

The pilgrimage festival of Shavuot at the conclusion of the Omer period was in thanksgiving for God’s blessing and protection of the land and its produce.

Passover 2025: Are we a nation or a family?

BY MOSHE TARAGIN — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 19:24:37 GMT

If we are a nation that sees itself as a family, let us remember those families that have carried such a heavy burden throughout this war.

'Jewish & Israel Trivia': The perfect trivia challenge for the Passover Seder - review

BY MARION FISCHEL — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 19:23:33 GMT

If you haven’t picked up a copy before the Seder, I strongly suggest you grab one as soon as you can. This trivia booklet is bound to sell like hotcakes. 

The Passover paradox: Being given freedom from slavery, but also new strict rules

BY MORDECHAI BECK — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 19:20:50 GMT

Surely, freedom means the overthrow of rules? Why leave one bondage merely to enter another, even if only a symbolic one?

Passover: The message of empathy in the Haggadah

BY RON KRONISH — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 13:33:10 GMT

This Passover, as we retell the story of our journey from slavery to freedom, may we be mindful of the other people seeking to experience the same journey toward freedom.

'Departing Egypt: Passover Haggadah': Excerpts for insights at the Passover Seder

BY MARION FISCHEL — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 13:32:38 GMT

Below are excerpts from Rabbi Aryeh A. Frimer’s book, chock-full of insights aimed at providing ample food for thought and discussion at the Seder.

The history of bedikat hametz: From Talmudic era until today

BY DAVID GEFFEN — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:59:16 GMT

Over the generations bedikat hametz (searching for leaven) has become a wonderful bonding opportunity for parents and children as we usher in the Passover holiday.

The American Heritage Haggadah: A personal story of production and publication

BY DAVID GEFFEN — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 11:57:01 GMT

I worked hard to fulfill my dream, and thankfully I was successful. Some 7,000 copies are used at Seder tables throughout the world.

Passover 2025: A spiritual call for unity for the 2nd Passover since Oct. 7 - opinion

BY RABBI TULLY BRYKS — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 18:10:14 GMT

As we remove the hametz from our homes, let’s try to remove the hate from our hearts.

Shabbat Hagadol: Receiving the great Sabbath

BY MEIRA RAANAN AND ESTHER CAMERON — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 18:09:53 GMT

This year, as Passover begins at the close of Shabbat, the lights of Shabbat and Passover flow into each other as we commemorate our becoming a people.

Passover 2025: Why must Jews see themselves as personally leaving Egypt?

BY RABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:38:55 GMT

Why should one see themselves as if they personally left Egypt? Because it's the essence of redemption: giving everyone, no matter his situation, the inner strength of faith, hope, joy, serenity.

Let my people go have fun! 48 things to do for Passover in and near Jerusalem

BY JOANNA SHEBSON AND RONIT ANSBACHER — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 09:12:07 GMT

48 ways to celebrate Passover – Fun In Jerusalem provides the guide

Passover 2025: What you need to know about the Jewish holiday - explainer

BY AARON REICH — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 16:36:26 GMT

What is the story of Passover, What are its various traditions and rules, And just what dates will it be taking place this year? Here is everything you need to know.

Purim's unacceptable mask: The powerful themes of revenge, evil, and free will

BY MORDECHAI BECK — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 11:09:44 GMT

In the Scroll of Esther, revenge is a powerful theme, but just as clearly one that leads to confusion and tragedy.

How beautiful are illuminated ‘Megillot Esther’

BY DAVID GEFFEN — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 10:27:19 GMT

Medieval megillot were beautifully illuminated. Why? Because God’s name is not mentioned.

From the Frontlines to the Megillah: Jewish soldiers celebrate Purim in Kyiv

BY JERUSALEM POST STAFF — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 14:16:27 GMT

As ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia continue, a group of Jewish soldiers took a moment from the frontlines to celebrate Purim with the Jewish community.

Purim's eternal message: Protecting humanity's moral fiber and maintaining hope

BY MOSHE TARAGIN — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 16:20:49 GMT

The clouds of confusion will clear, sanity will replace lunacy. The hypnotic spell of postmodern confusion will be broken. What has happened before will happen again. Just read the story of Esther.

Purim: Asking without logic

BY RABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:03:25 GMT

On Purim, let us rise above logic. Let us stand before our father in heaven and cry out, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?”

Triple Purim: How Jerusalemites celebrate this year’s three-day extravaganza

BY BATSHEVA SHULMAN AND YAEL HALFON — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:29:38 GMT

This year, the festival is extended to three days in walled cities – adding the day before and the day after – giving rise to what is commonly known as Purim Meshulash, or “triple Purim.”