Judaism (2024)

FAQs

What does Zichrono Livracha mean? ›

When Jews speak of someone dear or respected who has died, we often add to the end of their name the phrase zichrono livracha (m.) or zichrona livracha (f.), abbreviated in writing as z”l. It means “may his/her memory be for blessing” (or “ . . . for a blessing”).

For it states: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but reasoning, you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:17–18).

Haredi Judaism (Hebrew: יהדות חֲרֵדִית, romanized: Yahadut Ḥaredit, IPA: [ħaʁeˈdi]; also spelled Charedi in English; plural Haredim or Charedim) is a branch of Orthodox Judaism that are characterized by their strict interpretation of religious sources and their accepted halakha (Jewish law) and traditions, in ...

In Jewish History

In the thought system of Maharal, each number has a consistent philosophical meaning: 1 - unity. 2 - dualism and multiplicity. 3 - the unity between two extremes. 4 - multiplicity in two directions, like the cardinal directions.

Often, when someone dies, the traditional Jewish response is “yehi zichra baruch,” which translates to “may her memory be a blessing” or “may her memory be for a blessing.” There are a few other acronyms and phrases used for mourning.

Jewish law mandates that human remains be buried after death, and this has been dominant Jewish practice for millennia. through the later rabbinic authorities attest to this requirement, and there is a powerful taboo against cremation reinforced by the millions of Jews burned in Nazi crematoria during the Holocaust.

The three main beliefs at the center of Judaism are Monotheism, Identity, and covenant (an agreement between God and God's people). The most important teaching of Judaism is that there is one God, who wants people to do what is just and compassionate.

Even a small trace of a non-kosher substance—as little as 1/60th (1.66 percent) of the food's volume, and in certain cases, even less than that—will render an otherwise kosher food not kosher.

The desecration of God's name is considered the harshest violation of Jewish law, at least as far as heavenly forgiveness is concerned; therefore, if the sin is to be committed in public (for these purposes, in the presence of ten Jewish male adults), and the sole purpose of the persecutor is to have the Jew transgress ...

Do Hasidic Jews sleep in separate beds? ›

Normally two twin beds separated by about 2.5 or 3 feet. They must sleep in separate beds about 13 days a month for religious reasons, but they normally sleep separately all the time because given the bed size, it's more comfortable.

Keeping kosher is nearly ubiquitous in Orthodox homes: Fully 95% of Orthodox Jews in the survey say they keep kosher. About one-quarter of Conservative Jews (24%) say they keep kosher in their home.

In medieval Jewish mysticism, the 36 men came to be known as the Tzadikim Nistarim, or the “hidden righteous ones.” Within the rich culture of the Hasidic Jews, this group began to be more and more defined. These secret people are righteous men whose actions are good and compassionate.

The number seven doesn't just structure the daily cycle of Jewish life, it is also part of a Jewish yearly agricultural cycle. Every seventh year, called the shmita or sabbatical year, the land is not tilled but allowed to lie fallow and rest.

At weddings, bar mitzvahs, and when making honorary donations, Jews often give gifts of money in multiples of 18, symbolically giving the recipient the gift of “life” or luck. So, make a donation in honor of a friend, and be sure to wish them a long life by multiplying by 18!

According to My Jewish Learning, which is a great resource on this subject, “z''l stands for Zichrono [for a man] or zichrona [for a woman] l'bracha. In Hebrew it literally means memories for blessing, which is usually translated as “may his or her memory be a blessing.”

What is the meaning behind the Hebrew letters on the Yale University crest? The words are אורים ותומים, (“Urim v'Tumim”) which are translated in the crest as “Lux et Veritas”: “Light and Truth”.

The expression "rest in peace" is "not commonly used in Jewish contexts", though some commentators say that it is "consistent with Jewish practice". The traditional Hebrew expression עליו השלום, literally 'may peace be upon him', is sometimes rendered in English as 'may he rest in peace'.

Expressions such as 'my condolences' (mishtatef betsa'arkha / betsa'arekh / betsa'arkhem, which means 'I share your pain') do exist, but they are not commonly used. When one hears bad news, the established expression is ברוך דיין האמת - Baroukh Dayan HaEmet (Blessed be [God,] the Judge of Truth).