HOLIDAYS

Resources for study and appreciation
of the Jewish Holiday Cycle

On this page we have arranged and added teachings, meditations, and other resources based around Jewish holidays. Enjoy, and please give us feedback on your favorite content or suggestions for subjects and ideas you would like us to cover.

THE JEWISH HIGH HOLIDAYS
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Quotations and Commentary on Repentance and Forgiveness
Teshuvah, Tefilah, Tzedakah: Repentance, Prayer, and Righteous Giving
Source Texts from our audio CD Transformation Now: Texts on Teshuvah Source Texts from our audio CD Reb Zalman Prays: A Creative Translation of Adirey Ayumah
Meditations and Writing Exercises on Repentance
Chai Elul Meditations - a twelve day process to review the past twelve months.
Blessings Over Curses - Bible commentary
Connecting The Dots - Bible commentary
Teshuvah and Weight Loss - Bible commentary
Are We There Yet? - Bible commentary
A brief drash: Your Next Mitzvah (3 min.)

Also, our CD's give you a further opportunity to listen directly to Rabbi Debra and Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi as they discuss, explain, and pray about ideas that are central to the Days of Awe. You can take these great teachers with you; listen, learn, and meditate with them at home, in your car, or wherever you are traveling.


Sukkot
Reb Nachman's "Rules" for Joy - Meditations and Writing Exercises
Quotations and Commentary on Joy
Drinking It All In - essay
Hasidic Tales of Joy - stories


Thanksgiving
While Thanksgiving is not specifically a Jewish holiday, it exemplifies Jewish values and has its roots in the Bible.
Questions for Meditation on Gratitude
Gratitude and Thanksgiving Practices
Quotations and Commentary on Gratitude
Giving Thanks - essay
Blessing Management - Bible commentary
But Who's Complaining? - Bible commentary


Hanukah
Hanukah Essay and Meditations - inspiration about the miracles for each of the eight nights
The Best of Hanukah: Recommended Books, CDs, and DVDs for Children and Adults
Hanukah Quotations, For inspiration at the time of candle lighting – or anytime, Rabbi Debra has collected quotations on Hanukah themes to spark reflection and discussion.
The December Dilemma, This advice was written for a class of prospective converts to Judaism, many of whom were already partners in a Jewish household. Not every Jew experiences a “December Dilemma,” but many do. We hope that this essay will prove useful for those who choose Judaism, those who were born into it, and those who serve and teach Jews.
Eight Ideas for Eight Nights, Hanukah candle lighting is celebratory, but also, often, “squeezed in” between homework and bedtime, work duties and the second shift at home. The following are some suggestions that can add structure and meaning to your Hanukah celebration.
Light the Wick, an essay written for The Los Angeles Jewish Journal on the meaning of "light" and sacred fire.


Tu Bishvat
Tu Bishvat and Kabbalah
Quotations and a Story
Tu Bishvat Meditations
Lessons of the Season - Bible commentary


Passover
Making Seder with Children
Seder Solutions: insights, tips and techniques for enhancing your seder.
When the Soul Asks "When Do We Eat?" - Spiritual Preparation for Your Passover Seder - You can order an audio recording of this seminar taught by Rabbi Debra and spiritual luminary Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. All proceeds to charity, supporting Congregation Makom Ohr Shalom.
Who Knows One? - an alternative version of this favorite song from the Haggadah, full of humor -- and Kabbalistic wisdom.


Shavuot
Click here for our Shavuot page.


Shabbat
Candlelighting Meditation