How-To Guides about Judaism

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.You Will Need* Preparation* A filling pre-fast meal* Self-discipline

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Learn how to use traditional Jewish mysticism, from the Kabbalah, to enhance your life.

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!

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.

Learn how to ritually wash before eating bread or any bread product.

This tutorial shows Jewish men and boys over the age of 13 how to put on Tefillin.

Jonathan Ginsburg shows you how to sing the Shabbat Torah service in Hebrew.

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.

This videos shows you how to chant the blessings used before and after the Haftarah done on Jewish holidays.

This video explains how to do the Shabbat Kiddush (Jewish sanctification prayers) and Havdalah.

Jonathan Ginsburg teaches you how to recite the mourner's Kaddish prayer.