The Surprising Reason Why the New Year of the Trees Bears Universal Relevance
Sunday evening is the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the fifteenth day of the month of Shevat, signalling the new year of the trees.
Tu B’Shvat: The Rosh HaShana of the Trees
The Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shvat is known as the “Rosh HaShana” or the “New Year” for trees, since it marks the beginning of the agricultural calendar year according to the Judaic tradition.
Rabbi Advises Marseille Jews: Don’t Wear Yarmulkes in Public
Jews should not wear kippahs (skullcaps) in the streets of Marseille, the religious head of the Marseille Jewish community warned on Tuesday.
Jewish Fertility Rates Catch Up to Arab Fertility Rates in 2015
Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) released data on the country’s demographics for the year of 2015.
Proposed Bill Approves Fines and Jail Time for Business Owners Open on Sabbath
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation voted on Sunday to approve a bill which will levy fines and prison time on owners of businesses that are open on the Jewish Sabbath without special permission.
Israel Crowd Goes Wild for Seinfeld in Debut Tel Aviv Show
Jewish comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld, who landed in Israel Friday for a short tour, cracked up an audience of 11,000 Israelis for 90 minutes straight during his Saturday night set in Tel Aviv.
What are a Priest, a Rabbi, and an Imam Trying to Build Together in Berlin?
Three religious leaders in Germany, representing Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, are spearheading a project to build a proposed shared prayer space, called the House of One, on the now-empty site of a 13th century Berlin church.
Jews for Jesus Blast Vatican for Discouraging Attempts to Convert Jews to Christianity
The Messianic Jewish organization Jews for Jesus has loudly condemned a recent Vatican document which discourages Christians from attempting to convert or missionize Jews.
New Chief of Mossad Calls on God for Help in Defending Israel
Yossi Cohen, who last Monday was appointed head of the Mossad, Israel’s chief intelligence agency, gave a speech at his synagogue during the Sabbath acknowledging God’s role in establishing the State of Israel and the continuing need for divine help in modern times.
The Seven Laws That Connect All Men to God
Even before Jews accepted the Torah on Mt. Sinai, all of mankind accepted the Seven Noahide Laws, called the Mitzvot Bnei Noah in Hebrew.