The Rosen School of Hebrew Blog

Hanukkiyah (Hebrew: חנוכיה ), also known as Hanukkah Menorah,  is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah. On the first night of Hanukkah and on all other nights during…

Mishloach manot (Hebrew: משלוח מנות), meaning: sending of portions, are gifts of food that are sent to friends, relatives, neighbors and any other acquaintances on the Holiday of Purim. Sending Mishloach Manot…

Queen Esther (Hebrew: אסתר המלכה), also known as Hadassah, was a Jewish heroine, who saved the Jewish people from Haman Haman HaRasha. According to the Biblical story, Esther was a Jewish girl…

Afikoman (Hebrew: אפיקומן )  is the name of a portion of Matzah eaten at the end of the Passover evening meal ( Lail Ha’seder). The afikoman is a substitute for the Korban…

At the end of the eight days of Passover, on the day after Passover, Jews of North African origin , especially Moroccan Jews, celebrate a very unique Holiday: the Mimouna (Hebrew:מימונה). According…

Chol Hamoed (Hebrew: חול המועד) refers to the intermediate period of the festivals of Passover and Sukkot. The meaning of Chol Hamoed is the weekday of the Holiday.   These are the…

Counting of the Omer (Hebrew: ספירת העומר ) is counted every evening ,for forty-nine days after nightfall, from the second night of Passover till the night before Shavuot. According to the Torah,…

Yizkor (Hebrew: יזכור), which means remembrance, is a special Jewish memorial prayer. The Yizkor prayer has become a formal part of the prayer service during the Crusades of the eleventh century when…

Selichot (Hebrew:סליחות) is a series of penitential prayers Piyyutim which are recited on a daily basis at early morning services during the month of Elul. Selichot, meaning Prayers for Forgiveness, are ancient…

Tzom Gedaliah (Hebrew: צום גדליה) , meaning The Fast of Gedalia , is a Jewish fast day instituted by our Sages to commemorate the murder of Gedaliah Ben Achikam, the righteous governor…