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The Queen That Saved The Jewish People 

Why There Is A New Year For Trees - Tu B’Shevat

The Surprising History of Chanukah

The High Holy Days of Tishrei

Preparing For A New Hebrew Calendar Year

Jewish Fasts Every Summer

The Forty Nine Days between Passover and the Giving of the Torah

Purim is the story of how Queen Esther of the ancient Persian Empire saved the Jewish people through fasting, prayer, and dinner with the King, after second-in-command Haman petitioned King Ahasuerus to have the Jewish people completely eliminated. But what made Haman think he would be successful in this venture? History had already shown that Jewish people always survived. Even attacks by Haman’s ancestors had not proved successful. Why did Haman think he had the upper hand on the Jewish people this time? Chapter 3, verse 8 of the Megillah (Story of Esther) gives some insight. “Haman then said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people, scattered abroad and dispersed among the other people…” “Scattered and dispersed.” The hebrew word for scattered is “pazar” and the hebrew word for dispersed is “porad”. Both of these words suggest that Jewish people were scattered, separated, or severed from a vast local Jewish community, living amongst other people in the 127 provinces of the Persian kingdom. But the wording suggests something else that Haman picked up on. Not only were the Jewish people physically scattered across a vast area, they were also severed in their collective unity with each other. The traditions that once so tightly bound the community were now influenced by other cultures. Haman thought this was his way in to see his plot of destruction come to fruition. But Esther got word of Haman’s plan and instructed the Jews to “Go, gather together all the Jews who live in Shushan, and fast on my behalf…” (Esther 4:16) “Gather together.” Esther too recognized what was first needed. Fasting was necessary for the strength she would need to approach the King- an act that could have led to her death. But the fasting would be fruitless without unity. Without the support of the Jewish people, approaching the King could have led to a very different ending. Thus her first instruction was to “gather together” - to be united. Through unity and fasting, the plot for the destruction of the Jewish people was revealed to the King. The King had Haman killed but the decree for destruction could not be overturned, thus a new decree was made - that the Jewish people could defend themselves. So on the decreed day of 13 Adar, the Jewish people prepared to defend themselves and “gathered together” - qahal. (Esther 9:2). Qahal means to assemble. The first time this Hebrew word was used in Torah was when the Jewish people had assembled at the base of Mt Sinai to receive the Torah. This was the ultimate sense of unity with each other and with Gd. Purim is not simply about the dramatic story about the salvation of the Jews from the evil decree of Haman. But it is about unity - the unity of Jewish community and the unity within ourselves to be empowered to face dangerous tasks. If you would like to be a part of the unity found within the Jewish community, please contact us!  Who knows? Maybe it is you who was called “for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14).

When I decided that I wanted to convert to Orthodox Judaism, I had no idea what to expect. I researched as much as I could online but there was very little information on what the process looks like. The people that I knew who were Jewish gave me answers but most were just hearsay and vague explanations. Typically, the process should take anywhere from one to two years. In order for you to be fully prepared to live a Jewish lifestyle, it’s imperative for you to experience a full cycle of the Jewish holidays in a Jewish community.  Participation at a local Orthodox synagogue is equally important to your studies. With the support of a community, you will be able to gain hands-on experience living a Jewish life and connect with others who hold the same beliefs as you do. Rabbi’s are not searching to reject you but have different methods of determining your level of seriousness which can feel personal but it is all a part of the process. Many rabbi’s also do not have experience in conversions so finding the right sponsor rabbi can take time. Qualifying for an Orthodox conversion requires effort, focus and dedication. This process must be a combination of learning the necessary material but also implementation into daily life. Rabbinical courts are preferred when performing and establishing the validity of a conversion but they are not required. Proof of Judaism simply requires a form signed by a rabbi which confirms that an applicant is potentially entitled to Aliyah benefits and citizenship under the Law Of Return. A list of “recognized” non-Israeli rabbis entitled to testify and provide proof of Judaism acceptable to the Israeli Chief Rabbinate was published in 2018. The Rabbinate originally refused to make the list publicly available until ordered to do so after a lawsuit. However, the law does not define exactly what documents are needed to prove that someone is Jewish. There’s no public list of Rabbis who have the authority to provide recommendations for Aliyah and certify conversion to Judaism. The Chief Rabbinate’s list is often updated, and the Rabbinate has no obligation to publicize the updates. As long as the rabbi is not on the “blacklist” of rabbis whose testimony is considered invalid by default, you can contact the Ministry of Interior with a document they provided, even if they are not on the list of recognized rabbis. Converting to Judaism can be highly emotional and you may be surprised that this path is more than laws and theology. When releasing any religious baggage you may be carrying with you, it can feel at times that you’re putting your soul in the washing machine. You may feel like a fish out of water at times but only when we look within and decide what’s worth carrying forward can we truly establish the relationship with Torah that we are searching for. The process of becoming Jewish is rewarding in every way. If you are dedicated, you have the opportunity to not only expand your knowledge and understanding of Jewish law and belief but you will be considered a part of a tradition that spans over a millennia. Living a Torah observant lifestyle will expand your awareness to yourself and the world around you.