The autumn Jewish holidays will end this week with the days of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The soul searching that began during the month of Elul will culminate in the joyous abandon of Simchat Torah. The seven day festival of Sukkot ends today (Sunday October 20). As the sun sets this evening we markContinue reading “The Ouroboros Year”
Tag Archives: judaism
Yom Kippur- A Day of Perfect Balance
Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement. It is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar. It is the crown jewel of the High Holy Days. Yom Kippur is a day of personal and communal reflection. This year (2019), Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Tuesday October 8 and ends at sundownContinue reading “Yom Kippur- A Day of Perfect Balance”
The Symbolism of Rosh Hashanah
Tonight marks the beginning of Rosh HaShanah. Known as the Jewish new year, the words literally translate to “head of the year.” Tonight we will flip our Hebrew calendars from 5779 to 5780. As we celebrate this holiday we undertake a number of symbolic rituals, prayers, and foods. Head of the Year New moon. NewContinue reading “The Symbolism of Rosh Hashanah”
My Spiritual Journey
I was born into a Christian family. I was raised as what I term “Bapticostal”. My parents divorced when I was four and I spent one weekend with my father in the Church of God, and the other weekend with my mom’s family in the Baptist church. If you know anything at all about differentContinue reading “My Spiritual Journey”
Remembering Destruction
One thing I have learned in life is that is is crucial that we take time to remember and honor the destruction in our lives. Remembering the traumas in our past allows us to grieve in a healthy manner and ensures that we never forget the things that have made us what we are. WeContinue reading “Remembering Destruction”
The Mezuzah as Amulet
Have you ever noticed that Jewish homes have a little box attached to the doorpost? It’s a slanted box on the outside of the home (and sometimes on doorposts of interior rooms). This little box is called a mezuzah, and it’s one of the amulets that Jews have used throughout history to bring protection toContinue reading “The Mezuzah as Amulet”
Demon Bowls
Magic bowls. Demon bowls. Incantation bowls. These bowls have gone by many names throughout the ages, but despite the various names, they all boil down to this: Judaism has a long history of magical practice (no matter how much some people want to deny it). Magic bowls are pretty simple. They are aContinue reading “Demon Bowls”
Passover and the Omer
Passover, one of the major festivals of Judaism, is a Spring holiday that commemorates the Hebrew slaves’ exodus from Egypt. The festival is a seven or eight day holiday that begins with a ritualized meal known as the Seder (order) and is marked by not eating any foods containing leavening agents. The Seder is theContinue reading “Passover and the Omer”
Purim, Witches, and Jews- Oh My!
This week Jews will be celebrating the minor holiday of Purim. I’ve spent some time this weekend preparing for the holiday, and I’ve done quite a bit of thinking. I’ve been thinking a lot about the similarities between Jews and witches. For those of you who don’t know, Purim is the holiday that celebrates andContinue reading “Purim, Witches, and Jews- Oh My!”
Shema- One God or Many?
Shema Israel Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our G-d, the Lord is one. This prayer is the cornerstone of Judaism. It sums up the faith in the belief of one G-d. I’ve been asked how I can call myself a witch and a Jew at the same time. How can IContinue reading “Shema- One God or Many?”
