In many Jewish synagogues a minyan is required for public prayer times.  A minyan is a group of at least 10 Jewish men over the age of 13 years old.  A minyan is not required, of course, for personal prayer times a person might have.

Humans are partial to food to begin with, and Jewish culture is no different – plus Judaism has many unique foods in its culture.

A mikvah, מקווה, is an immersion pool that is used for ceremonial cleansing.

The Yiddish language is a wonderful source of rich expressions, especially terms of endearment (and of course, complaints and insults)….Jewish scriptwriters introduced many Yiddish words into popular culture, which often changed the original meanings drastically. You might be surprised to learn how much Yiddish you already speak, but also, how many familiar words actually mean something different in real Yiddish.

A yarmulke in Yiddish, or a kippah in Hebrew, is a small head covering. Kippah literally means covering. Professor Jacob Lauterbach has been quoted as saying that the question of praying bareheaded or with covered head is not at all a question of law. It is merely a matter of social propriety and decorum.

There are several Jewish traditions surrounding the death loved ones. We say the mourner’s kaddish. It is not a mournful dirge, but rather praise to the Giver of Life. Mourners tear their garments, expressing their grief, and put soil on the casket after it is lowered into the ground, putting closure on the reality before us. For seven days we sit shiva (seven) mourning and remembering those who died.