#jewish ritual

[askjumblr]

Last week someone at my synagogue asked why we don't use soap to wash our hands when we're about to be eating with our hands. To which the rabbi basically said "this is just ceremonial, you should also wash your hands with soap"

And I'm pretty sure that's not the majority, but the fact that an adult asked that so confidently makes me kind of concerned. So I have to ask. Do y'all wash your hands with soap first? I've made a habit of washing my hands before I show up because I know I'm going to be shaking people's hands and sharing food, and I assumed everyone else did that too

.

[b7bubby]

[magnetothemagnificent]

thoughts on paper talisman but written in yiddish/hebrew? I think Ive seen only a few from one person and they looked really pretty.

Like an amulet?

I've posted my own rendition of a traditional Jewish birthing amulet here before, I think Jewish amulets are so cool.

If you feel like an amulet is something you need in your life (provided you're Jewish, goyim, please don't purchase or make Jewish amulets), then B'Hatzlacha!

One thing to remember: They carry the same status as other Jewish holy texts, and thus if they need to be disposed of they should be disposed of properly in a genizah rather than thrown in the trash, so even if your amulet is made of paper, it should be treated with the same respect that a parchment amulet would be.

[bobemajses]

Jewish bride and her mother in Djerba, Tunisia, 1983

The Tunisian Jewish bride was hennaed first by her mother-in-law, and then the following day again by a professional artist. The bride would sleep with the henna and strings overnight. In the morning, the women come to the bride’s house to check if the henna came out nicely; if it is good, they kiss her fingers and praise her beauty. If the colour is not strong enough, then they henna her again; all in all, the bride is hennaed about four or five times over the course of a week. The Jews of Djerba continued this tradition well into the 20th century.

[thejewitches]

Channukah Ritual Guide | Digital Download

Experience a meaningful Channukah this year with our comprehensive digital guide for Diasporic celebrations.

Get Jewitches to deepen your ritual understanding and enhance your celebration! Download now and start enriching your Channukah traditions.

Included within are the three traditional blessings said over channukah candles; Available in Hebrew, English, and with the Ashkenazi transliteration for easy usage for all!

A few food suggestions from across the Diaspora as well as a simple, no-mess latke recipe if it is your first time!

Instructions for Dreidel divination!

Discussions of Diasporic Jewish traditions

A Chanukah glossary

What spelling is best?

Hillel Vs. Shammai

Menorah, Channukiah? Candles? Oil? Answers to all that & more!

Everyone can experience this guide free of charge, as we don't want money to be a barrier to access. However, if you have the means, please consider leaving a tip in order to support our work!

[homoqueerjewhobbit]

I'm allowed to make this joke, but I love that Jewish death rituals are like:

"Pfeh, for what should I spend $12,000 on a big fekakte box they see only for five minutes before they cover it with dirt?"

"Don't waste my good suit what might fit my nephew Lev if the bum should ever even try to get a real job!"

"Embalming? Don't mind me, I'll rot in the dark."

[therainingkiwi]

headcanon: MCU!Wiccan lights a yahrtzeit candle every year on the anniversary of the car crash, as a way to mourn the boy he used to be before everything changed

[hiddurmitzvah]

Here’s a linocut print I made on the mikveh of Speyer.

The Mikveh of Speyer, built in 1128, is one of the oldest ritual baths in Europe, nestled within the medieval Jewish quarter of the city. This stunning stone structure featuring Romanesque architecture, preserved so well, offers a glimpse into the spiritual life of medieval Jews. with a 10-meter descent into the ground, was specifically intended to reach natural groundwater. Descending the ancient steps into the cool, still water, one can almost feel the history—the sacred rituals, the quiet prayers for purification. A visit here isn’t just a look at the past, it’s a journey into a tradition still very much alive today. A true treasure of Jewish heritage.

[ruraljew]

finally digging into kashrut and man it's such a beautiful thing

[docholligay]

I don't often share my morning long reads but this is both information worth reading and is funny as hell

[whatlieswithintheorchard]

Ritual for after a t4t Experience

Grab some spices. It could be a spice box. It could be a candle. Choose a scent that brings you joy and recite the following blessing.

ברוכֶה אתה יי אלהימותינו רוח העולם בוראת מיני בשמים 

Transliteration:

B’ruche ateh Havayah, elohimoteinu, ruach ha’Olam, bore’at minei vesamim.

Translation:

Blessed are You, Havayah, breath of the universe, Who creates varieties of spices.

Take in the pleasing smell.

For the next few blessings, hold yourself.

ברוכֶה אתה יי אלהימותינו רוח העולם שעשתני טרנס

Transliteration:

Bruche ateh Havayah, elohimoteinu, ruach ha’Olam, she’asetni trans.

Translation:

Blessed are you The One, breath of the infinite space-time, who made me trans.

ברוכֶה אתה יי אלהימותינו רוח העולם שעשת אחרול כמוני

Transliteration:

Bruche ateh Havayah, elohimoteinu, ruach ha’Olam, she’aseat acheirol c’moni.

Translation:

Blessed are you The One, breath of the infinite space-time, who made others like me.

May these moments that I have shared remind me of the Divine beauty of your creation, ever unfolding in front of me. May all Being and Becoming, source of blessings, who created us in their Divine image, continue to bring and hold us together.

I was inspired to make this blessing after meeting up with a group of other trans folk for karaoke. It was such a beautiful and life-giving experience that I wanted to mark it in some way. So I chose a blessing from Havdalah and adapted a prayer from the morning liturgy. As Jews, we mark sacred time, and time spent in trans community is a catheral in time. We all deserve happiness. We deserve community. We are loved and love. Happy Pride!!

[horygory]

The Offering (2022)