How To: Wear a Kippah (Yarmulke)
In Judaism, men customarily cover their heads with a skullcap as a sign of humility before God, though it is not mandated by law. In Hebrew, it is called a kippah; in Yiddish, a yarmulke. In Europe, the custom dates to the end of the 16th century. Learn how to wear a kippah (yarmulke) with this Howcast guide.
How To: Wear tefillin prayer phylacteries
Don't know what a Tfillin is? Well, this video will explain everything you need to know about the Tefillin, otherwise known as phylacteries. It will explain what it is and why it's needed, along with how to wear it for tractional Judaism.
How To: Fast on Yom Kippur
Giving up food and drink is an important part of this Jewish holiday, the Day of Atonement, because it helps focus the mind on repentance. Stay strong mentally and physically with these tips.
How To: Perform Havdallah after Shabbat ends
This instructional video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to perform Havdallah after Shabbat ends. Hadvallah is a Jewish religious ceremony that marks the symbolic end of Shabbat and holidays, ushering in the new week.
How To: Put on a tallit for Jewish prayers
This instructional video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to put on a tallit for Jewish prayers. The tallit (or tallis or tallith) is shawl used for Jewish prayer, worn while reciting morning blessings and well as in the synagogue on Sabbath and holidays.
How To: Tie your own tzitzit (or tzitzis)
This instructional video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to tie your own tzitzit (or tzitzis). Tzitzis are fringes or tassels worn by observant Jews on the corners of four-cornered garments, including the tallit (prayer shawl). They are considered a time-bound commandment, which means they are worn only by men. This Judiasm video will help you learn how to tie, knot and twist strings - tzitzit - to a garment.
How To: Light the Shabbat candles to usher in the Holy Day
This instructional video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to light the Shabbat candles. The lighting of Shabbat candles not only ushers in the Holy Day, but is also a special time of spiritual contemplation for Judaists. It is the pivotal moment when we cross over from the weekday into the holiness of Shabbat (or Shabbos, the Jewish Sabbath).
How To: Wash hands before eating bread, as per Jewish law
This animated video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to wash your hands in accordance with Jewish law before eating bread. Besides cleanliness and holiness, the instant reason the rabbis call for washing before bread is to keep alive the memory of the proper treatment of teruma (the first priestly tithe that may be eaten only by kohanim and their instant families, and that must be eaten only in the absence of any tum’ah – ritual defilement).
How To: Celebrate the 8 days of Hanukkah with the standard Jewish traditions
If you don't know exactly what goes on during Hanukkah, this series of videos will set you straight. Hanukkah is the most recognized Jewish holiday, right around Christmastime, and Chaim from Maoz Israel is going to show you some traditional customs that are performed during the eight days of Hanukkah 2010. Learn about the menorah, sufgaiyots, the mysterious dreidel and the traditional Chanukah songs.
How To: Say the Jewish Bathroom Prayer
In this blessing, we express our gratitude to HaShem for the fact that our bodies continue to function properly. The Asher Yatzar prayer is over two thousand years old. This video explains how to say this Jewish bathroom prayer.
How To: Light the first candle on the menorah for Hanukkah (and say the blessings)
This video gives a perfect demonstration for starting out Hanukkah 2010 right. See how to light the shamash and the first candle (on the right) for the first night of Hanukkah, along with all three blessings that need to be made.
How To: Start the First Night of Hanukkah 2010 (+ Make a DIY LED Menorah)
The first day of Hanukkah is here, the day you start lighting the candles of the menorah. So, why not ditch the wax and light the "lights" this year?
How To: Affix a mezuzah to a doorpost of a Jewish home
This animated video, produced by Jewish Pathways, demonstrates how to affix a mezuzah to a doorpost. In Judaism, the mezuzah (or mezuza) is a parchment inscribed with religious texts that is attached in a case to the doorpost or doorframe of a Jewish house as a sign of faith.
How To: Light the Menorah on the eight days of Chanukah
When Christians are out celebrating Christmas this year, Judaists will be out celebrating Hanukkah, or Chanukah, which is a lesser Jewish festival that lasts eight days from the 25th day of Kislev (December), and commemorating the rededication of the Temple; it is marked by the successive kindling of eight lights.
How To: Play dreidel
The dreidel, the small top that's among the most recognizable symbols of the Hanukkah season, is a fun game of chance to play with friends and family.
How To: Understand the Mayan calendar
Dovid Krafchow, the author of Kabbalistic Tarot, explains the meaning behind the Mayan calendar according to Jewish knowledge and scientific investigation. Check out this video to learn how to understand the Mayan calendar.
How To: Conduct the Minha daily afternoon Jewish prayer
See how to conduct the Minha daily afternoon Jewish service, because you want to be an awesome rabbi, right?
How To: Practice the Kabbalah to enhance your life
Learn how to use traditional Jewish mysticism, from the Kabbalah, to enhance your life.
How To: Use the tree of life in the Kabbalah
Check out this video to learn how to understand AND use the tree of life in the Kabbalah. This presenter is a well-known professor of religion and a spiritual counselor. Remember--don't me a martyr!
How To: Sing hallel Psalm service
Learn how to sing hallel Psalm service. Part 1 of 2 - How to Sing hallel Psalm service.
How To: Make Kiddush
The how to rabbi is here to show you how to make Kiddush. It should be made every Friday night and Sabbath afternoon and major Jewish holidays.
How To: Wash for bread if you are Jewish
Learn how to ritually wash before eating bread or any bread product.
How To: Receive an Aliyah
This video shows you how to receive an Aliyah when at the synagog. Learn everything you'll need to know before you get there, and what to expect during this Jewish ritual.
How To: Put on Tefillin if you're Jewish
This tutorial shows Jewish men and boys over the age of 13 how to put on Tefillin.
How To: Sing the Shabbat Torah service
Jonathan Ginsburg shows you how to sing the Shabbat Torah service in Hebrew.
How To: Practice Kabbalah
This video includes the 3 reasons why Kabbalah is called “the hidden science.” Kabbalah studies how our life and our world has been created, and how to achieve connection with our life’s source, the totality of reality.
How To: Recite a Bracha Achrona prayer
This video explains how to recite a Jewish Bracha Achrona prayer which is said before a snack or meal that is not a whole meal.
How To: Do the Haftarah (blessings chanted)
This videos shows you how to chant the blessings used before and after the Haftarah done on Jewish holidays.
How To: Sing 7 Jewish wedding blessings
This video explains what you need to have a Jewish wedding and then teaches you how to sing the 7 Jewish wedding blessings - Sheva brachote.
How To: Do the Shabbat Kiddush prayers and Havdalah
This video explains how to do the Shabbat Kiddush (Jewish sanctification prayers) and Havdalah.
How To: Recite the mourner's Kaddish prayer
Jonathan Ginsburg teaches you how to recite the mourner's Kaddish prayer.
How To: Say Jewish blessings
This video covers the basics of Jewish blessings - how to say each word in Jewish, what it means in English and then how to put them together in different blessings.
How To: Believe In God to live a spiritual life
Perceiving Reality answers that if you just believe in God, then you can't live a spiritual life. What is spirituality? According to Kabbalah, spirituality can't be defined as a belief or philosophy, but only as a clear perception and sensation of reality.