Miscellaneous Laws and Customs

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?