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Giyur | The Mandatory Reading List | The Torah

As we discussed in the earlier post, the Torah is sometimes called the "Chumash," which means "five" in Hebrew, emphasizing the five books of the Torah:

‎1. בְּרֵאשִׁית // Bereish*t // Genesis
‎2. שְׁמוֹת // Shemot // Exodus
‎3. וַיִּקְרָא // Vayikra // Leviticus
‎4. בְּמִדְבַּר // Bamidbar // Numbers
‎5. דְּבָרִים // Devarim // Deuteronomy

Are you able to summarise the events of each of these five books?

Giyur | Essentials | Sukkot

What is a Sukkah? | Part 1

The sukkah is a hut built to provide shade. That's why it must sit beneath the open sky—not under a patio deck or even the branches of a tree. The walls can be made of any material, as long as they are secure and don't flap about in the wind. The roof, however, (we call it s'chach), must be of unprocessed materials which have grown from the ground. Bamboo poles, thin wooden slats, and evergreen branches are popular choices. Just make sure to use enough s'chach so that the inside of your sukkah will have more shade than sunlight. Those living in the fast lane can buy a prefab sukkah and bamboo mats.

Source: www.chabad.org

Giyur | Essentials | Brachot

Modeh Ani | Part 1

🇮🇱 מודה אני לפניך מלך חי וקיים שהחזרת בי נשמתי בחמלה. רבה אמונתך

🚹 Modeh ani lefanekha Melekh ḥai vekayam sheheḥezarta bi nishmati b'ḥemlah. Rabah emunatekha.
🚺 Modah ani lefanekha Melekh ḥai vekayam sheheḥezarta bi nishmati b'ḥemlah. Rabah emunatekha.

🇺🇸 I thank you, living and enduring king, for You have graciously returned my soul within me. Great is your faithfulness.

"Modeh Ani..." is the opening line of a Jewish morning prayer recited upon waking up, expressing gratitude for the gift of a new day and the restoration of one's soul after a night's sleep. This simple yet profound blessing serves as a daily reminder for individuals to acknowledge the blessings of life and start their day with a grateful heart. The Modeh Ani prayer is a meaningful tradition that helps set a positive and thankful tone for each day in Jewish practice.

Giyur | Essentials | Yom Kippur

What | Yom Kippur fast day is the holiest day of the year, when we are closest to G‑d and to the essence of our souls. Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement,” as the verse states, “For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G‑d.”

When | 10 of Tishrei Source | The Torah

How | Yom Kippur Mitsvot:
92. To rest from prohibited labor on Yom Kippur—Leviticus 23:32
93. Not to do prohibited labor on Yom Kippur—Leviticus 23:31
94. To afflict yourself on Yom Kippur—Leviticus 16:29
95. Not to eat or drink on Yom Kippur—Leviticus 23:29
389. To bring additional offerings on Yom Kippur—Numbers 29:8
400. To follow the procedure of Yom Kippur in the sequence prescribed in the Torah—Leviticus 16:3

Beit Din | Preparation | Q&A

Giyur | The Mandatory Reading List | The Torah

As we discussed in the earlier post, the Torah is also referred to by other names:

📜 Chumash: the Torah is sometimes called the "Chumash," which means "five" in Hebrew, emphasizing the five books of the Torah.
📜 Sefer Torah: Literally meaning "Book of Torah" in Hebrew, this term refers to the handwritten Torah scrolls used in Jewish religious services and ceremonies.
📜 The Five Books of Moses: This name highlights the authorship traditionally attributed to Moses, who is believed to have received the Torah directly from God on Mount Sinai.
📜 The Law: As the Torah contains a significant portion of Jewish legal and ethical guidelines, it is often simply referred to as "the Law" within Jewish communities.
📜 The Written Law: In contrast to the "Oral Law" (Mishnah and Talmud), the Torah is sometimes called the "Written Law" to distinguish the written text from the interpretations and commentaries that make up the Oral Law.

Can you name the five books of the Torah?

Giyur | Essentials | Calendar

Tishrei is considered the “head” of the year, and the reservoir from which we draw our strength and inspiration throughout the year ahead.

Giyur | Essentials | The Fast of Gedaliah

What | The Fast of Geadliah

When | 3 of Tishrei

Source | Rabbinic

How | Observances:
- This is a minor fast: we fast sunrise to sunset;
- Slihot recital;
- Torah reading;
- Work is permitted.

Please read this beautiful article by Rabbi Steven Bernstein: https://shuvu.tv/2020/09/21/parasha-inspiration-tzom-gedaliah/

Giyur | Essentials | Rosh HaShana

What | Rosh HaShana is the Birthday of the Universe, the day G‑d created Adam and Eve, and it is celebrated as the head of the Jewish year. In our prayers, we often call it Yom HaZikaron [Day of Remembrance] and Yom HaDin [Day of Judgement] since this is the day when G‑d recalls all of His creations and determines their fate for the year ahead. A joyous day when we proclaim G‑d King of the Universe.

When | 1 and 2 of Tishrei

Source | The Torah

How | Rosh HaShana Mitsvot:
102. To rest on Rosh Hashanah—Leviticus 23:24
103. Not to do prohibited labor on Rosh Hashanah—Leviticus 23:25
116. To hear the Shofar on the first day of Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah)--Numbers 29:1
388. To bring additional offerings on Rosh Hashanah—Numbers 29:2

Giyur | Essentials | Brachot
In Judaism, we cherish and celebrate the profound act of offering blessings, known as "Brachot" (בְּרָכוֹת). These blessings are an integral part of our daily lives, connecting us to HaShem and elevating the ordinary into the extraordinary.
All Brachot fall into one of three categories:
1 | Brachot for partaking of benefits;
2 | Brachot over performing Mitzvot; and
3 | Brachot of praise and thanks to G-d or as a form of request.
Can you think of examples for each one of the three categories?

Beit Din | Preparation | Q&A

Giyur | The Mandatory Reading List | The Torah

The Torah is the central and most revered sacred text in Judaism. It is a foundational document that contains the religious and legal teachings, history, and narratives of the Jewish people.
The word "Torah" itself is derived from the Hebrew root word "yarah," which means "to teach" or "to instruct."

The Torah serves as a guide for Jewish religious practice, covering various aspects of life, including morality, worship, and social justice. Its teachings and stories continue to be a source of inspiration, wisdom, and guidance for Jewish communities around the world, and it holds a central place in Jewish identity and tradition.

The Torah is also referred to by other names, each emphasizing a different aspect of its significance, which we will discuss later!

You can read the Torah online [Free]:

https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/63255/jewish/The-Bible-with-Rashi.htm
https://www.sefaria.org/texts/Tanakh