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Hamotzi Right before we begin Shabbat dinner, two uncut loaves of challah are uncovered. As they are raised, the following blessing is recited. After the blessing, the challahs are cut or torn into pieces which are distributed to everyone present. Some people lightly salt their piece of Challah before eating it, comparing it to a divine offering from temple times. Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech haolam, hamotzi lechem min ha'aretz. Praised be our Eternal God, Ruler of the universe: who brings...

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The quintessential Rosh Hashanah treat is apples and honey. Take a sweet, crisp, apple and dip it in some honey. Before eating we say a mini-blessing, hoping that the year to come will be tova umetukah, good and sweet! Pick up a slice of apple, dip it in honey, and say: Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha'olam borei pri ha-eitz. We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the tree. Yehi ratzon lifanecha, Adonai Eloheinu,...

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Over the course of our Yom Kippur prayers, we recite the Al Chet over and over again. V’al kulam, Elo’ah s’lichot, s’lach lanu, m’chal lanu, kaper-lanu. “For the ways in which we have fallen short, oh God, forgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement,” we say. We take collective responsibility for our communal shortcomings, even for the ways in which we may not have failed individually. We acknowledge both our conscious and unconscious failings. Al chet shechatanu lifanecha b’imutz ha’lev v’al...

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There is no more fundamentally human act than breaking bread together. On Shabbat we use two, complete loaves of rich, braided bread to symbolize abundance and blessing. When setting the table, set two loaves of challah on plate, cover with a cloth, and place either a shaker of salt or container of honey nearby. Remove the challah cover. Touch the challah or touch someone who is touching the challah. Bless together. Tear or cut the challah into pieces. Dip it in...

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Take a moment to turn to one another and offer words of love and appreciation. These blessings need not be restricted just to people who are married, they can be offered by and for any loving partner.  For a woman: אֵֽשֶׁת‭ ‬חַֽיִל‭ ‬מִי‭ ‬יִמְצָא‭ ‬וְרָחֹק‭ ‬מִפְּנִינִים‭ ‬מִכְרָהּ‭. ‬בָּֽטַח‭ ‬בָּהּ‭ ‬לֵב‭ ‬בַּעְלָהּ‭ ‬וְשָׁלָל‭ ‬לֹא‭ ‬יֶחְסָר פִּֽיהָ‭ ‬פָּתְחָה‭ ‬בְחָכְמָה‭ ‬וְתֽוֹרַת‭ ‬חֶֽסֶד‭ ‬עַל‭ ‬לְשׁוֹנָהּ‭. ‬קָֽמוּ‭ ‬בָנֶֽיהָ‭ ‬וַיְאַשְּׁרֽוּהָ‭ ‬בַּעְלָהּ‭ ‬וַיְהַלְלָהּ‭. ‬רַבּוֹת‭ ‬בָּנוֹת‭ ‬עָֽשׂוּ‭ ‬חָֽיִל‭ ‬וְאַתְּ‭ ‬עָלִית‭ ‬עַל‭ ‬כֻּלָּֽנָה‭ ‬ Eishet Chayil mi yimtza, v’rakhok mi’pninim...

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Af-Bri (Anger-Health) is the name of the angel of rain; he thickens and forms clouds, he empties them and to cause rain. Water to crown the valley’s vegetation, may it not be withheld because of our debt. In the merit of the faithful ancestors protect the ones who pray for rain. Blessed are you, Hashem, shield of Abraham. You are eternally mighty, my Lord, the resuscitator of the dead; abundantly able to save. May the angel of rain give us portions...