Beliefs & Practices
What Are Kohanim, or Jewish ‘Priests’?
Descendants of the biblical figure Aaron, kohanim enjoy special privileges.
What Is A Ba’al Teshuvah?
Once a name for sinners who repented, ba'al teshuvah now describes a Jew who returns to Orthodoxy — or becomes Orthodox for the first time.
Do Jews Believe In Angels?
These supernatural beings appear widely throughout Jewish texts.
The Making of a Torah Scroll
Written by hand, a sefer Torah is produced according to strict specifications.
What Is An Eruv?
The eruv is a boundary that allows observant Jews to carry needed things in public on Shabbat.
The Importance of the Community (Kehilla) in Judaism
The collective is an integral part of the Jewish experience.
Guide to the Synagogue Sanctuary, From Ark to Yad
An introduction to the parts that make up a synagogue sanctuary.
Havruta: Learning in Pairs
A modern emphasis on peer-guided text study--an approach with ancient roots--reflects new social realities in the world of traditional Jewish learning.
Women in Rabbinic Literature
The rabbis of the Talmud designated specific female roles and activities, and were wary of women's nature, but they also tempered biblical laws that caused hardships for women.