There's no denying it. Purim is our noisiest holiday. There's a lot of hissing, stamping, rattling and "groggering" in the synagogue whenever Haman's name comes up in the Megillah. With all the different types of groggers on the market, I can't help wonder how this custom began.
So I Googled it and discovered that its origins can be traced all the way back to the 13th century, when French and German rabbis introduced the custom of writing Haman's name and the names of his sons on two stones in order to bang them together until the names were blotted out.
The reason behind this "madness"? It was their way of literally translating line 19 of Chapter 25 in the book of Deuteronomy which states: "Thous shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek."
Once using stones went out of fashion, some people began to write the names on the bottom of their shoes in order to stamp them out (not a bad idea). Others started using a rattle called a gregar.
I just looked up the word gregar. It's a Romanian word stemming from the Latin word gregarius. Sound familiar? And so appropriate. I can't think of a more social, outgoing Jewish holiday than Purim. And NOISY!
Let the fun begin! Happy Purim.
What name immediately comes to mind when you hear someone say Purim? There are many colorful characters, but be honest. Isn't Esther the one you associate the most with this holiday? She's beautiful, brave and the Megillah is named after her.
Get a load of this. Purim is first mentioned in the book of Maccabees II (15:32) -- three to four centuries after it occurred! All of a sudden, out of nowhere, this holiday appears. The text says that on the 14th day of the month of Adar, Jews celebrated a holiday called "Mordecai Day."
When did the holiday name change to Purim? I've looked and looked. Sadly, I can't find the answer. Still, I think we should focus on the original name. It's a great conversation/class discussion opener.
Mordecai -- the great letter writer (see Chapter 9 of the Megillah) -- is both the producer and director of this story. His actions teach us so many lessons: civics (he saves the king's life); Judaism (one bows only to God, and so he refuses to bow down to Haman); battle strategy (he devises the plan that gets his niece strategically settled in the palace, directing her how to proceed and save her people); celebration (he tells us how to celebrate this holiday); and finally, ethics (he also tells us that we must give gifts to the poor.)
In fact, the second-to-last chapter of the Megillah (Chapter 9) is the best explanation as to why Purim was originally called "Mordecai Day." This year, when you study the megillah, read it first. Our hero is there -- loud and clear. Our main customs for celebrating Purim are there -- written and commanded by...Mordecai, of course.
Happy Mordecai Day.
Tu B'shvat is around the corner. How about creating a poeTREE contest dedicated to trees?
Need inspiration? Have a look at some of Israel's most outstanding trees.
This Atlantic Pistachio tree stands in the Kadesh Valley in the Upper Galillee. It's a true beauty and a great picnic spot.
Olive trees abound in Israel, but this tree located at Ein-Al-Asad on Mount Meron is a special one standing in an old field between two Druze villages.
A tree with true character, this sycamore tree which stands in Netanya, has turned into tree playground!
Finally, a tree growing in the desert. This twisted acacia tree is located near Sede Boker in the Negev -- the Kibbutz that Israel's first prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, called home.
Want to read more about these trees and see others? Click here.
Now to our poeTREE contest. I'll leave you with another inspiration starting point. It's a perennial penned by Joyce Klime.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
While everyone equates Tu B'Shvat with Arbor Day, there's a social justice side to this holiday that seems to have gotten lost in translation.
Way back, when the Rabbis wrote the Mishna (the first part of the Talmud), Tu B'Shvat marked the beginning of the crop year. By conducting a field study in which they examined plant life in pastures and orchards, the Rabbis concluded that each year's tree growth began on the day the sap started to rise in the trees, and that date just happened to have been Tu B'Shvat -- the fifteenth day of the month of Shvat.
Once this agrarian milestone was established, the rabbis proceeded to determine laws revolving around it. As a result, every year orchard farmers had to measure and set aside a prescribed portion of their crops for a tithe -- a holy gift. This is when the social justice side of Tu B'Shvat kicked in. Farmers were instructed to give a portion of their produce to the Temple, the Levites and the poor -- to the Temple as a holy offering; to the Levites because they were not allowed to be landowners (they were the musicians and gatekeepers of the Temple); and to the poor because Jews were commanded in the Bible to make sure that the needy be fed. Have a look at the Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 15, sentence 11. It's one of several examples.
While tree planting and holding a Tu B'Shvat Seder are the customs generally found on our radar, this long lost practice may very well be the root of a custom practiced numerous generations ago in Jerusalem's Old City. Back then, Jerusalemites sent Tu B'Shvat Mishloach Manot trays of fruits, nuts and seeds to one another in order to make sure that everyone had enough for their own Tu B'Shvat feast. Fast forward to the 21st Century and I am sure you can find a way to reach out to the needy on Tu B'Shvat. You may want to make a donation to Leket Israel - Israel's National Food Bank. Similarly, maybe it's time to locate your local food bank and lend a helping hand. If you literally want to roll up your sleeves, volunteer at the closest soup kitchen to your home, or help open one at your synagogue. Enjoying choice dried fruits on Tu B'Shvat has greater meaning when one hand feeds the other.
Tu B'Shvat Seder Plate Photo Credit
Hanukkah -- a holiday for reuse and recycle? Doesn't sound right with all the gifts galore. However, this custom from Kurdistan proves that it's possible.
When it came to celebrating Hanukkah even the poorest Jew in Kurdistan didn't have egg on his/her face. To the contrary! They proved that Hanukkah was everything it's cracked up to be. So what if they couldn't afford a fancy Hanukkiah (Menorah)?! Their children had just as much fun -- perhaps even more -- lighting their homemade versions made out of egg shells. With eggs being a staple in everyone's diet, there were enough cracked eggshells to use as cups for wicks and oil for the required number to light every night.
A simple, fun solution with a lesson in conservation rolled into one. You can't get better than that!
Gift giving on Hanukkah can come in many forms. A back to basics present of two cracked eggshells on the first night will bring a broad smile to everyone's face and set the tone for eight nights of fun.
Happy Hanukkah!
This year you can do it -- put all thoughts of a December Dilemma aside by transforming Hanukkah into an unforgettable family experience. How? It just so happens that I have the solution: follow the multicultural customs appearing in my book Hanukkah Around the World.
This book first appeared in 2009 and it's turned into a perennial because it opens a window to the Hanukkah customs practiced in Australia, Israel, Italy, Turkey, Poland, Uzbekistan, Tunisia and the United States. Each Hanukkah day you can cuddle up for a fun family read of a story revolving around a specific tradition. Find a way to adapt the custom at night when you light your Menorah and try the matching recipes from each country. Trust me. This will be a Hanukkah your children won't forget.
For a different (dreidel) twist, I have another Hanukkah book with an important message.
Nathan Blows Out the Hanukkah Candles is an engaging story that shows children how important it is to follow the Jewish value of "accepting the other in your midst." The perfect book to read out loud, it's a conversation opener on the importance of love, understanding and respect of those who are different.
Wishing you the best possible gift this year -- a meaningful, memorable Hanukkah.
In another few weeks we're going to celebrate the next holiday on the Jewish calendar – Hanukkah.
Many of us are accustomed to receiving a gift each night but I just read about one young woman in Massachusetts who has turned this custom around, making it a Tikkun Olam project.
Her name is Maxine Harvey. As long as she can remember, her family collected everything given at their annual Hanukkah party and donated them to local families in need. When a close family friend who happened to be a social worker passed away in 2006, Maxine wanted to create a lasting memorial for her. The way she did it was expand upon her family custom by launching an organization that would collect, store and distribute donated items to needy families. She called her project “Debbie's Treasure Chest.”
When Maxine started this project she was 10 years old! Today she is 18, a freshman at Clark University, and “Debbie's Treasure Chest” is a thriving enterprise with 50,000 different toys, clothing, toiletries, home furnishings and all types of holiday decorations. Maxine reports that 1,500 families have benefitted from “Debbie's Treasure Chest.” She proudly says: “It is great that a small thing like a toy or a toothbrush can mean so much to someone. It is very gratifying to know that.”
Wow!!! What a way to interpret the giving part of Hanukkah. Thank you Maxine for showing us that Hanukkah is not all about me but all about you.
Ooops, I missed it. The Shabbat Project. From what I've read, last week Jews in 350 cities around the world kept it together by all observing Shabbat starting at sundown, Friday night October 24 for 25 hours, ending on Saturday night.
On second thought, I didn't miss it at all. I embrace Shabbat every week. And you know what else? The word “project” sounds heavy. There's a certain flow about Shabbat that eases the mind, at least for me.
Today I remembered two other projects, both held during the month of March. The first one is National Unplugging Day, which coincidentally begins on sundown Friday night and ends – you got it, sundown Saturday night. The second is Shabbat Across America and Canada. I looked it up. This year it's scheduled to begin sundown Friday night March 13, 2015 and it's billed as an event that will turn an ordinary Shabbat into something extraordinary.
Is there something ordinary about Shabbat? Not for me. It's the extraordinary end of every week!
Let me share with you how I discovered that fact. It was (way, way) back, when I was in 7th grade and proving to everyone that I am not a mathematical genius. Tutors came and went. I just couldn't get it. Finally, one tutor got through and prepped me for my next math test. I took it and came out smiling, confident that I had finally earned a passing grade. The test was returned the following Friday. Sure enough, I had done it again. Failed. Totally distraught, I ran to my room as soon as I got home, sat down, took out the test and stared at it for a solid hour while tears streamed down my face.
My mother heard the sobs, told my father, who came in to console me, but not with the words I expected: “Tami,” he said, “you are to put that test away right now. Shabbat starts in five minutes. I don't want you to think about that test at all for the next 25 hours. I want you to read a good book, visit your friends, have a good time, and take a rest from your math misery. That's what Shabbat is all about. Taking a break from all your problems. When it's over take the test out and look at it with fresh eyes. You'll understand where you went wrong.”
Like the Bible says, and so it was. My father showed me the extraordinary side of Shabbat. Ever since then I eagerly await Shabbat. As soon as I light the candles the curtain lifts, and I enter a world of calm and contentment. A world of special customs, songs, food and most important, family time.
What do you think: Should you make a big deal about Shabbat twice a year – or look forward to it every week? Do you need to be told that there's one day a year for unplugging when you can do it on a weekly basis? What are you going to do each Shabbat to unplug?
Are you looking for quiet time with your spouse and/or children? Tell me, what are you doing this Friday night and Saturday? And every Friday night and Saturday thereafter?
Need Some Help? If you're looking for fun and interesting Shabbat customs to incorporate in your weekly Shabbat celebration, get ready for the end of April when I will launch a new story series on my website called Shabbat Around the World.
I'll be posting more info as we get closer to April.
I am happy to introduce to you the ultimate, baby-centered Simhat Torah custom. It was created by Yemenite Jews and you could say that it gives you marching orders.
It goes like this: Babies six months and older are dressed up in their best outfits, and brought to the synagogue to celebrate their arrival on this earth, on the first Simhat Torah after their birth. Their father or grandfather makes a donation to the synagogue by purchasing a Hakafa (circular Torah procession). He then becomes the leader of a specific Hakafa and instead of carrying a Torah scroll to lead the procession, he proudly carries the baby in his arms.
In this egalitarian age, Moms and Dads alike are invited to try out this custom. It's a wonderful way to expand the celebration message of Simhat Torah while at the same time supporting your synagogue.
What about older children? Are you making flags with them instead of buying a ready-made version? Will you be standing under the talit (prayer shawl) with them when children are called up to the Torah for a special blessing? Will you be throwing candy for them to catch?
Get ready and enjoy this very child-centered holiday.
חג שמח
Do you know that Sukkoth is the original blueprint for social networking and an opportunity to join a group?
While the first description of Sukkah living is found in the Book of Leviticus, it's the interpretations of of the holiday by Jewish sages centuries later on that provided it with a foundation for social outreach.
First came Maimonides – one of the most revered philosophers in Jewish history – who admonished those comfortably sitting in their own dwellings, surrounded only by family. In Maimonides' eyes this was tantamount to feeding the stomach not the soul. He wanted Jews to reach out by inviting the poor to join in a meal.
In the 16th century the Kabbalists stepped in, establishing a Sukkoth custom based on the teachings of the Zohar. Truth is, they developed one of the first virtual experiences by telling their followers to invite a different exalted guest from the Bible to their Sukkah each night. The first night, Abraham, the second night Isaac, the third night, Jacob, followed by Joseph, then Moses, Aaron and David. They called this tradition Ushpizin (inviting guests) – a custom solely associated with Sukkoth until this day.
But what if you don't want to invite a Biblical celeb? What if you want to give this tradition a more relevant meaning? Let's do it by connecting two unusual Sukkoth customs – one from Bukhara (Uzbekistan), the second from Morocco.
Bukharan Jews believe that if a Sukkah is going to be their temporary home for 7 days, then they should make it as cozy and aesthetically pleasing as possible. They cover the Sukkah floor with rugs and soft pillows instead of chairs. The walls are decorated with colorful silks and fabrics – you might say, temporary wallpaper. Meanwhile, the entrance is adorned by an arch made out of willow branches, and instead of hanging chandeliers, the “ceiling” has suspended bunches of grapes, apples, pomegranates, pears and a mixture of mint, basil stems and all kinds of herbs. What an intoxicating aroma! Who needs Glade air spray?
Combine this very appealing “home” with the Moroccan custom of inviting a different poor person into the sukkah every night. Moroccan Jews take Maimonides seriously by pushing the envelope even further. They make their guest feel like a king or queen, placing him/her at the head of the table and then serving a lavish feast.
Can you think of a kinder way to celebrate Sukkoth? Today, when so many fellow Jews are suffering economically, this is your opportunity to reach out and show them that you care. And if you're wondering about the origins of this important Jewish principle, take a look at Genesis, chapter 18. Abraham rushes from his tent to greet three strangers, initiating the Jewish value of welcoming guests/strangers into your midst.
So, who are you going to invite to your Sukkah? How are you going to make your decorations special?
Chag Sameach
This year – 5775 on the Jewish calendar – marks the beginning of Shnat Shmita , or as I would like to rename it – Jewish Environmental Protection Year. It's not the first and certainly won't be the last. Ever since the days of the Second Temple, Jews have adhered to the laws of Shnat Shmita – a Hebrew term that literally means a year let go. Practically speaking, a sabbatical year for the land every seven years.
While Shmita laws only apply to the Land of Israel, the very fact that they are rooted to the Old Testament (Exodus 23:10-11) is an eye-opener pointing to how enlightened were our ancient ancestors. Says the Bible: “And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and gather in the increase thereof; but the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of thy people may eat; and what they leave, the beast of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy olive yard.”
Simply put: “Give it a rest.” Leave the land alone. Whatever grows naturally for a year without planting, sowing and watering should go to the poor because you will have enough to feed on from everything that has grown the previous six years.
Because this commandment is so important, it is repeated in the next book – (Leviticus 25:1-7) – when God speaks to Moses on the top of Mt. Sinai and expands on the commandment by including all living creatures in this sabbatical year – landowners, male and female slaves, as well as cattle and animals working the land. Just in case our Biblical farmers would worry that there's nothing to eat in the 7th year, God tells Moses: “I will so order My blessing for you in the sixth year that it will bring forth the crop for three years. When you are sowing the eighth year, you can still eat old things from the crop, eating the old until the ninth year when its crop comes in” (Leviticus 25: 8-22).
In other words, God is saying “Relax, I've boned up on agronomy and have it all planned out.” I would venture to say that today this would be added: “Environmentalists, read what I have to say before you develop any campaigns.”
The fact of the matter is that the Old Testament provides the blueprint (or should that be greenprint?) for environmental protection. In addition to a sabbatical year for the land, practical guidelines are provided about how long trees must mature before fruit can be picked; how not to be wasteful, even preserving the environment during times of war; how to prevent animal suffering; how to keep the environment clean; how to go about urban planning, etc. It's little wonder that the Bible never goes out of date and remains the world's number 1 bestselling book.
Speaking of books – since you now know that this year the High Holidays mark the beginning of Jewish Environmental Protection Year, you may very well be interested in another book, one that I have written.
If you're a parent, this book provides some fabulous quality time activities. If you're a teacher, it's the ideal textbook for bringing the Bible to life and get kids involved. A collection of eight, engaging bible stories told in a friendly, entertaining manner, it provides matching easy-to-do experiments and projects for each story. A back-of-the-book Potpourri section complements the stories by elaborating on environmental laws in the Bible and rabbinical blessings related to nature. By the time you finish reading this book you'll understand why Noah was the first to study biodiversity; why Joseph was the first to develop guidelines for natural disaster planning; how Moses performed the first water desalination experiment; how Joshua discovered the power of noise pollution, in addition to being the father of daylight savings time, plus more.
Have I piqued your interest? Here, take a peek...and please pray on Yom Kippur that the land be inscribed in the Book of Life.
For me Rosh Hashanah is the soul searching time of the year. I've already started the process and I've decided that for the new Jewish year, little is big. My experience as a mother and grandmother has taught me that everything is a process composed of small steps that when combined, make a major difference.
So here's my list of small step resolutions:
1. As always, family first. It's the little things you do for family that make the difference. Last night was a good example. In the middle of a special 95th birthday celebration my daughter in-law texted "We're in the E.R." My husband and I were there 15 minutes later (in Israel distances are short and that helps). It was no sweat off our back but for the harried parents of two little sick kids, it made the difference.
2. You're probably thinking: "Ha, she doesn't know what I'm juggling." But I do. I've been there. Which brings me to resolution #2 -- Recognize my limitations. After decades of trying to be superwoman I am now into damage control. Do I have the time? The energy? If I don't, I just say "no."
3. Here's the resolution I love the most. Think of a creative activity to do with the grandchildren every time I see them. I admire all the technological advances and am part of the new tech age. Still, old fashioned, home-made activities are the best for getting the grey cells going, plus children feel a tremendous sense of pride when they create. My 4 year-old grandson is crazy about cars. I've got an empty egg carton ready to decorate and turn into a garage. What are you going to do with your children/grandchildren when you have free time? I hope it's not plunking them in front of a screen -- any screen. If you need ideas, contact me.
4. Hmm...this is a resolution I renew every year -- make sure that one hour a day is just for me. Writing is my business and when I'm not at the keyboard, I'm dealing with the home front. The best way to clear my mind and give myself a boost? Swim, walk or the fitness room. What's your trick?
5. Keep on researching Jewish Holiday customs from around the world, thinking of creative ways to adapt them to (y)our life and posting them on this blog. Can you please make one of your resolutions writing to me? I'd love to hear how you put my blog posts to use.
That's a wrap. Five small resolutions for making a difference. How many do you have?
Shanah Tova!
These days everything is a click away. So why not click on 
when you want to cast your sins to the sea?
Across the globe, Jews use Tashlich as a way of physically beginning the Jewish New Year with a clean slate by going to a body of water – ocean, sea, lake, even a fountain – reciting the Tashlich prayer, then symbolically tossing sins away by throwing pieces of bread into the water.
Around the world, Tashlich has forged creative customs. Iranian/Persian Jews shake their clothes out when they cast their sins to the water in order to feel lighter – as in losing several pounds. How about Weight Watchers trying that! German Jews have their variation of only shaking out their pockets. Meanwhile, the Jews of Mumbai, India equate Tashlich with cupid, and get dressed up in their best so that a bit of matchmaking can be done by the water.
Sounds quaint, not contemporary? O.K. Let's give Tashlich a 21st century twist. Ask yourself, what does the word Tashlich – תשליך – mean? Its root is שלח, which means send. Don't we spend a good portion of our life clicking on a “Send” icon? So how about this: before Rosh Hashanah let's make up a list of the not so nice things we've done this past year and the people whose feelings we may have hurt. Next, let's compose individual “Sorry” notes before the holiday begins and click on “send” over and over until we've gone through the entire list. That way, when Tashlich rolls around we'll leave the bread at home and virtually throw our sins into the sea.
An up-to-date take on a timeless tradition. 
Shanah Tova!
The common denominator between Rosh Hashanah and the new school year? Seder! Especially if you follow a custom that dates back to the Talmud and continues to be a favorite among Sephardic and Mizrachi Jews.
Think about it. There's a definite sense of order – seder – when getting ready for the school year – new school bag, new textbooks, new notebooks, new writing utensils and perhaps new clothing. There's a definite sense of excitement in the air accompanying this new beginning.
The same holds true for Rosh Hashana – a new year buzzing with wishes for health, happiness, safety and prosperity. In the Talmud (Tractate Keritot 6a and also Horayot 12a of the Babylonian Talmud) Rabbi Abaye suggests that at the beginning of each new year, people should make a habit of eating food growing in abundance. During Rabbi Abaye's time that meant pumpkin, leeks, beets, dates, and a bean-like vegetable called ruviah or rubiyah. Because they were plentiful, they symbolized prosperity, for which Rabbi Abaye rightfully felt we should be grateful.
The idea caught on and continues today on the first night of Rosh Hashanah among Jews whose ancestors came from Spain, Portugal and the Middle East. It's called the Rosh Hashanah Seder and is the prelude to the meal. Other vegetables have been added and blessings are said over each one. The fun comes in the associated pun. Carrots are a good example. Those who incorporate this vegetable into their Rosh Hashanah Seder do so because the Hebrew word for carrot is gezer, and Rosh Hashanah begins the period of gzar din – judgement.
So let's connect the dots with the Rosh Hashanah Seder and the new school year. First of all, have a look at a traditional family Rosh Hashanah Seder. Now add your own spice by finding the right link between a fruit or vegetable commonly eaten on Rosh Hashanah and school. Make that fruit/vegetable part of your seder and create your own punny wish.
I'll get you started. One fruit commonly associated with Rosh Hashanah is apples. Slice up an apple and put it on a dish. When it's time to make the blessing on the apple, hand the slices around, saying to your children: May you be the apple of your teacher's eye this school year. Similarly, if you're putting dates on the table, how about saying: This year, let's make a date to do......
Get the picture?
Have fun making seder.
