Jewish Culture: Food
The origin of the term Jewish comes from the Jewish homeland, the kingdom of Judah. Jewish people have a very diverse and unique culture. Since they originate from the Middle East they combine a variety of different cultures into their cuisine, music, dance, and architecture. There diet consists of bagels, hummus, a paste consisting of mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic, cabbages stuffed with sweet and sour stuffing, blintzes, a thin pancake and most importantly Jewish people eat only Kosher foods to be in line with their religion. That means they are not allowed to eat any dirty unclean animal such as pork, bugs, and shellfish.The picture you see to the left is an example of Chamin a stew of potato, beef, and beans a typical dish eaten during Shabbat a Jewish holiday.
The origin of the term Jewish comes from the Jewish homeland, the kingdom of Judah. Jewish people have a very diverse and unique culture. Since they originate from the Middle East they combine a variety of different cultures into their cuisine, music, dance, and architecture. There diet consists of bagels, hummus, a paste consisting of mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic, cabbages stuffed with sweet and sour stuffing, blintzes, a thin pancake and most importantly Jewish people eat only Kosher foods to be in line with their religion. That means they are not allowed to eat any dirty unclean animal such as pork, bugs, and shellfish.The picture you see to the left is an example of Chamin a stew of potato, beef, and beans a typical dish eaten during Shabbat a Jewish holiday.
Jewish Culture: Holidays
- All Jewish holidays begin the day before the actual date of the holiday.
- Jewish holidays usually last a day longer than it's counterpart ; Roman catholic holidays because due to the fact that the Jewish people have a lunar calender and whenever there is a full moon the Sanhedrin sends out a messenger to the different communities to spread the message that a new has arrived. However it may take several days before messengers arrive at rural villages so as a result holidays are a day longer.
- Rosh Hassannah: The Jewish New Year
- Yom Kippur: Follows Rosh Hassannah and is the day of atonement where one repents for ones sins in the past year and deprives from life's pleasures.
- Sukkot: a Jewish thanksgiving, celebrates the harvest
- Shemini Atzertet: The day after Sukkot and is an day for assembly
- Simchat Torah: rejoicing for law, celebrating the reading and ending of the Torah; the Jewish law
- Savu'ot: Celebrating the Torah and first fruits of harvest
- Passover: Beginning of harvest and commemorates their ancestors
- Sabbath: A day of rest and spiritual growth
- Celebrated from 8/1 through 12/25 though dates can vary
Jewish Culture: Clothing
Jewish Clothing: Kippah
A kippah is a small hat or headcovering. Some people only wear it inside a synagogue. Others wear it at all times, as a gesture of piety and respect. According to the Rambam, Jewish law dictates that a man is required to cover his head during prayer, and wearing a head covering outside of the synagogue was originally a custom.
A kippah is a small hat or headcovering. Some people only wear it inside a synagogue. Others wear it at all times, as a gesture of piety and respect. According to the Rambam, Jewish law dictates that a man is required to cover his head during prayer, and wearing a head covering outside of the synagogue was originally a custom.
Jewish Clothing: Shtreimel
A shtreimel is a fur hat worn by many married haredi Jewish men on Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and other festive occasions. A traditional story of the origin of the Shtreimel is that an anti-Semitic political figure once issued a decree that male Jews must be identified on Shabbat by "wearing a tail" on their heads. Although it was an attempt to mock the Jews, it was taken seriously and transformed from an object of ridicule into a crown of sorts.
A shtreimel is a fur hat worn by many married haredi Jewish men on Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and other festive occasions. A traditional story of the origin of the Shtreimel is that an anti-Semitic political figure once issued a decree that male Jews must be identified on Shabbat by "wearing a tail" on their heads. Although it was an attempt to mock the Jews, it was taken seriously and transformed from an object of ridicule into a crown of sorts.
Jewish Clothing: Tzitzit
A tzitzit is a knot of ritual fringes worn by observant Jews attached to the four corners of the tallit( a prayer shawl). The purpose of wearing tzitzit is to remind Jews of their religious obligations in addition to remind them of the Exodus from Egypt. The tzitzit on each corner is made of four strands, which must be made with intent. The strands are then threaded and hung down, appearing to be eight strands, rather than four.
A tzitzit is a knot of ritual fringes worn by observant Jews attached to the four corners of the tallit( a prayer shawl). The purpose of wearing tzitzit is to remind Jews of their religious obligations in addition to remind them of the Exodus from Egypt. The tzitzit on each corner is made of four strands, which must be made with intent. The strands are then threaded and hung down, appearing to be eight strands, rather than four.