An Unusual Simhat Torah Custom
Prof. Moshe Bar Asher of the Hebrew University has published in recent years several studies about the particular religious customs of the Jews of southwestern France. Prof. Bar-Asher discusses the […]
The Custom of Hanging an Effigy of Haman
Since the times of the Gemara there has been a custom to not only hang Haman in effigy, but to burn the figure as well. Today, though, you’d be hard […]
The Role of the Esrog in Childbirth
Rectifying the Sin of the Tree of Knowledge. Back in the 18th century, a fascinating story circulated among Jews that the Queen of Prussia, Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King […]
The Schvartze Chasnueh – The Wedding in a Cemetery
Ten years ago a delightful, illustrated children’s book entitled “The Wedding that Saved a Town,” focused on an obscure Jewish custom in Eastern Europe , known as a “Shvartze Chasuneh” […]
Partaking of Twelve Challos and other Shabbos Customs
Many summers ago, when I was single and studying in Paris at the Sorbonne, I decided to spend Shabbos Mevarchim in Strasbourg in the south of France. I stayed at […]
Orhot Hasofer on the Hatam Sofer
Ozrot HaSofer is a series of yearbooks devoted to the life and writings of Rabbi Moshe Sofer, the Hatam Sofer, published by the London Institute of Otzrot HaSofer, which is […]
Hanukkah Customs of Aleppo Jewry
The Jewish community of Aleppo Syria is one of the oldest in the world. The Jews of that community identify their city as the Biblical Aram Tzova and call it […]
The Essential ‘Pele Yoetz’
Pele Yoetz (Wondrous Advisor) by Rabbi Eliezer Papo has enjoyed great popularity among both Sefardim and Ashkenazim since its publication more than 150 years ago. The book, whose subject matter […]
The Custom of Eating Latkes on Hanukkah
Rabbi Moshe Isserles mentions in the Shulhan Arukh, Orah Hayyim (670/2) the custom of eating cheese on Hanukkah and states the reason. This custom is already mentioned — as indicated […]
Minhagei Amsterdam
(Conclusion) The customs of the Ashkenazim of Amsterdam are chiefly those of the old communities of the Rhine lands, Mayence, Worms and others. In certain instances the Jews of Amsterdam […]