Miscellaneous Laws and Customs

Discussions of laws related to daily Jewish living as sourced in the weekly Torah readings.

The laws of rising in the morning, washing the hands in the morning, dressing and walking, decency in the lavatory, cleanliness for prayer or torah study, benedictions, morning benedictions and the laws before prayer

The Jewish name is a keystone of Jewish identity for all Jews. It is customary to give a Jewish name when the baby is born.

Provides an understanding of the why and how as well as the accompanying laws and a philosophical explication

The basic laws of how to fulfill this important mitzvah.

"Thou shall not steal." Some of the precepts that are included in this prohibition.

Thinking of moving? Judaism offers insight on where to move, and there are several traditions and customs associated with new homes.

When we awaken in the morning, we immediately recognize and appreciate the kindness G-d has done with them.

We find in the Torah in a number of verses citing the preference of the right side of the body; we thus give the right side of the body honor and preferential treatment

Laws, customs and advice from the sages on how to conduct oneself while eating

Making a blessing before eating is how we acknowledge the creator who provides us with the food; now that you know the why, read of the what and how

What is Amen? When to recite Amen; when to refrain from saying amen; the laws of Yehie shmie Rabbah

Learn all about the Priestly Blessing: Who blesses and when, the preparations, the procedure of the actual blessing, the congregation’s role, and the Kabbalah behind it all.

The blessing of thanksgiving recited when one is saved from tragedy with its attendant laws and particulars

The Jewish calendar follows the lunar year. The renewal of the moon marks the beginning of the month; special laws apply on this day

In commemoration of the custom in the Holy Temple to give charity towards its building, we give coins half the value of the countrie's currency once a year

To relive the miraculous events of Purim, listen to the reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther) twice: once on Purim eve and again on Purim day.

On Purim we emphasize the importance of Jewish unity and friendship by sending gifts of food to friends. We send a gift of at least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods (e.g., pastry, fruit, beverage), to at least one friend on Purim day.

Some laws and customs observed in connection to Passover during its preceding days: we are more careful with our leaven and begin learning the laws of the holiday

During the month of Nissan when one sees a blossoming fruit tree, we make a blessing thanking G‑d for giving us trees that grow fruit.

Every time we bake bread of any of the five grains, we must remove a portion for challah. The how and why of this mitzvah.

A Halachic guide and handbook for the Jewish traveler

The dedication of a new Torah scroll is traditionally celebrated with great festivity. This article is a basic guide to the traditional induction ceremony.

Shoes have always played a role in history and culture. What about Jews and shoes?

All about the Jewish calendar and how it works

Throughout history, many societies have had secret, and not-so-secret hand signs. Jews are no different.

Kapores is a custom carried out the day before Yom Kippur. Some say during the evening proceeding. What is this custom all about?

Of all the ancient laws and customs of the Jews, one of the most mysterious is that of the law forbidding shaatnez.

Does Judaism have anything to say about eating healthy and being healthy? Actually, Judaism has always been well ahead of the times in this area.

Traditionally, Jewish men and boys wear the kippah at all times, a symbol of their awareness of, and submission to, a "higher" entity.

A 400 year old German Ashkenazi custom which had almost disappeared is making a comeback. This is the custom of making a "wimpel." Most know it as the binder which is wrapped around the Torah scroll.

The literal meaning of the word is blending or intermingling, but that really does not tell us much... Some think that an eruv has something to do with baby strollers—and to a certain extent they are right...

Throughout the centuries, Jews identified themselves as kohanim simply because their fathers were kohanim. But are these tribal affiliations just a matter of folklore and tradition? Can such claims actually be proven?

People of the opposite gender do not even touch each other, let alone shake hands. What is the rationale for the Jewish prohibition on men and women touching, let alone shaking hands?