Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Articles written by My Jewish Learning Staff


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  • Shavuot commemorates the spring harvest and the giving of the Torah

    My Jewish Learning Staff|Jun 7, 2019

    Shavuot, the "Feast of Weeks," is celebrated seven weeks after Passover (Pesach). Since the counting of this period (sefirat ha-omer) begins on the second evening of Passover, Shavuot takes place exactly 50 days after the (first) seder. Hence, following the Greek word for "fifty," Shavuot is also referred to sometimes as Pentecost. Although its origins are to be found in an ancient grain harvest festival, Shavuot has long been identified with the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Shavuot in...

  • Answering some oft-asked Chanukah questions

    My Jewish Learning Staff|Dec 8, 2017

    (My Jewish Learning via JTA)—How do you pronounce Chanukah? Is there a correct spelling for the holiday? Why does Chanukah last eight days? These are just some of the frequently asked questions about the Festival of Lights. Here are the answers to those and many more. How do you pronounce Chanukah? English speakers generally pronounce it HAH-nuh-kuh. However, some people prefer the Israeli pronunciation, which is khah-new-KAH. Is there a correct way to spell Chanukah? Chanukah is a Hebrew word, not an English one, and there is no standard t...