Jewish custom and the Jewish calendar are inseparable. These articles explore the origins, halachic underpinnings, and surprising histories behind our most treasured minhagim and Yom Tov practices.
Many of these posts first appeared in Ami Magazine, while others were first published or recorded in The Jewish Press, RJJ Journal of Contemporary Halacha, the OU’s Jewish Action, Harvard Law School, Mosaica Press, etc.
Related Articles:
- The Confusing Rules of Haircuts During Sefira
- Explaining Sefira Halves
- Another Sefira Secret
- A Lag B’Omer Secret
- Costumes on Purim: Background, History, Meaning
- Getting Drunk on Purim: Halacha, History, Hashkafa
- Purim Halacha Primer
- The GRA’s Megilla
- Kitniyos Kuriosities
- Navigating Pesach: Balancing Halacha and Joy
- The Complete History of Machine Matza
- Sourdough Starter & Mechiras Chometz
- Grocery Stores, Jewish Owned & Chometz
- Cosmetics & Pesach Guides
- The Seder: The Hardest Mitzva
- The Secret Reason of the Shlisel Challah
- Understanding Sheimos: Proper Disposal of Torah Materials
- Havdala Hacks
- Explaining the Custom of Lighting One Shabbos Candle Per Child
- Hoshanos: Understanding the Daily Order
- When During Davening to Do Hoshanos
- Hoshana Rabbah, Calendar & Esrog Frozen
- Why Do We Light the Menorah in Shul?
- Why We Still Light the Menorah Indoors
- Understanding the Connection Between Chanukah and Mezuzah
- Zos Chanukah: The End of Our Yemei HaDin
- Quick Chanukah Halacha Review
- The Secret Books of Chanukah
- The Cryptic Tomes of Chanukah
- Yehudis, Latkes & Solving Two Chanukah Mysteries
- Challah: Its Name, Its Braids, Its Shape and More
- The Mystery of the Forty-Day Segula
- Tu B’Shvat: Fruits & Other Minhag Secrets
- More Tu B’Shvat Secrets
- The Fasts of BaHaB
- Taanis Esther: Its Mysterious Origins
- The Truth Behind Saying Parshas HaMan on Tuesday of Beshalach
- Birthdays in Halacha & Jewish Tradition
- Understanding Yahrzeit Customs: A Deep Dive
- The Purpose and Meaning of Yahrzeit Over Time
- Kaddish for Two People
- The Great Yizkor Escape
- Simanim Surprises
- Tip the Apple in the Honey
- Fingernail Halacha & Mystical Significance
- The 8th and 9th of Teves: Mysterious Fasts
- Post Tisha B’Av Kiddush Levana
- Is an Early Selichos Allowed?
- Responding to War with Avinu Malkeinu
- Lost Items & Segulos
- Dates, Segulos & War
- The Goral HaGra
- Adar: Secrets of Birchas Kiddush HaChodesh
