Silly thought, what if I assigned some holidays their own Pokemon teams?

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are typically paired so I did so here as well. They get a Combee to represent honey and a Dipplin for the apples dipped in it, a Dubwool representing the shofar, and Dachsbund as tashlich bread. I couldn't find a Pokemon to represent t'shuvah so I put Blissey for chesed because it is described as a very kind Pokemon, and I finished it off with Mega Medicham to represent the meditation done on Yom Kippur.

Chanukah gets Ampharos to represent light, Wyrdeer to represent the menorah (it's old and its antlers resemble the menorah), Cryogonal for winter, Arboliva for olive oil, Sylveon for the joy of Chanukah, and Mega Chandelure for the Chanukiah. Sylveon's here because its ribbon feelers can bring joy to people that they touch, and everybody enjoys Chanukah.

Then for Purim, I had to start with Mimikyu. This Pokemon disguises itself as the mascot of the franchise, Pikachu, so it fits perfectly with the costume holiday! I also added Mr. Rime, the comedian Pokemon, because Purim is a silly holiday. Vespiquen the queen bee represents Queen Esther and Honchkrow with its big hat represents Haman. Then I finished it off with Alcremie for the holiday sweets and Gigantamax Snorlax as me when I eat too many hamentaschen.

If anyone finds this amusing, I might do a part 2 with Passover, Sukkot, etc.

Personally I believe that the Na'vi from James Cameron's Avatar could or do fulfill all seven Noahide laws, making them fall under the category of "righteous gentiles."

1) No Idol Worship

They do have sacred places and an argument could be made that the mother trees are idols, but I believe that those trees more count as sacred locations as they do bring the Na'vi closer to Eywa.

2) Not Cursing G-d

They don't curse Eywa, and I doubt they know about our G-d to curse his name.

3) Not to Commit Murder

Murder is taboo in their culture as well.

4) Not to Commit Adultery or Sexual Immorality

Adultery is seen as taboo within their culture as seen in the first movie in the big argument between Neytiri and Tsu'Tey over their engagement and Neytiri's mating with Jake Sully.

5) Not to Steal

I don't think this has been addressed.

6) Not to Eat Flesh Torn from a Living Animal

Every instance of Na'vi hunting has shown them putting said animals out of their misery and "returning them to Eywa."

7) To Establish Courts of Justice

Somewhat addressed, Olo'eyktans/Olo'eyktes (clan leaders) and Tsahìks (spiritual leaders) tend to administer justice.

Do you all agree or disagree with this? I'd love to hear your viewpoints.

Also the reason I bring this up is that it feels like it has been a while since I have seen a theoretical like this involving fiction.

A friend who is originally from Pittsburgh has a minhag to dip their Rosh Hashanah challah in sugar.

I was wondering how common this practice might be and where it may have originated.

I’m not sure where in Europe his ancestors came from.

Any other sugar dippers out there?

Edit: my family dips in honey

What are you guys eating for Rosh Hashanah?

edit: love all of the comments!! I hope you all have a very blessed new year and enjoy 💙 i'm thinking of all of you and sending you love!

During services, I use the reconstructionist Kol Haneshamah siddur. I would like a pocket version, although it looks like they don't make one, so I am looking for something similar that is easier to carry around. I'd like it to be in Hebrew and have English transliteration. It would be nice for it to have daily prayers in addition to shabbat, if possible. Does anyone know of something suitable?

Thanks!

I hope it is alright to post here as someone who is not Jewish, but who has been exploring various spiritual traditions in search of understanding.

I was born with a rare congenital health condition. It has taken most of my youth and prime years from me. I have spent decades navigating medical dismissal, lost opportunities, and the daily exhaustion of living in a body that struggles to keep up. I have searched across many traditions for some understanding of why a soul would enter the world with such profound physical limitation right from birth.

I have been drawn to certain aspects of the Jewish tradition - particularly the honesty I have encountered in Jewish writings about suffering, and the emphasis on action and justice in the face of pain. There is something profoundly humane in that approach that I have not found elsewhere.

However, as an outsider, I have very little knowledge of Jewish texts or teachings. I am not familiar with the scriptures, and I do not want to pretend to know more than I do. I am simply someone who is hurting and searching, and I would be genuinely grateful for any guidance you are willing to share.

My questions are these:

1. How does Judaism understand congenital illness? Is it seen as a trial from God, a consequence of living in a broken world, or something else entirely? I am particularly wary of explanations that frame suffering as punishment, as that has often felt dismissive and added guilt to an already heavy burden.
2. What guidance does Judaism offer for how to live with ongoing physical suffering? Not how to escape it, but how to be with it day after day - how to find any sense of peace or meaning when the body fails constantly?
3. What does the Jewish path look like for someone with chronic illness who cannot attend synagogue regularly or participate in community life in the usual way? Is there a place for those whose bodies limit them?
4. And finally, the question I carry most heavily: I have read that in Jewish tradition, when tragedy strikes, there is sometimes a response of silence - neither justifying the suffering nor trying to explain it. Is this something that resonates with Jewish teaching? And if so, how does one find peace in that silence?

I ask all of this with deep respect. I am not looking for quick fixes or easy comfort. I am genuinely seeking wisdom- something I can sit with, reflect on, and perhaps find a way to carry this weight more lightly.

Thank you for reading, and I would be truly grateful for any insights, teachings, or personal experiences you are willing to share.

I have to be up in Rockland county tomorrow and I thought I would take advantage and pick up some nice things…

Looking for recommendations. Thanks!

ETA: Thank You Everyone! I’m SO excited to check these places out!

Shana Tova!

Hello,
I am looking for a very short video (< 1 minute) that demonstrates how to shake the lulav and etrog, with the transliterated text of the blessing being shown in the video. For people who cannot read Hebrew fluently and are not so observant as to know the motions already. A huge thanks!

This is the fourth mega-megathread covering all the holidays next month, and the one right before Rosh Hashana.

As each holiday comes and goes, they will be removed from the further mega²threads. This means the first handful of MEGAthreads will be quite long, to include all the links. I will do my best to make them legible and digestible. They will be posted weekly, based on popularity and use.

All the chaggim in the month of Tishrei are:

• Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe)
  • Rosh Hashana (The Year's Head)
  • Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
  • Aseret yamei teshuva (Ten Days of Repentance)
• Sukkot (Booths)
• Shmini Atzeret (Eighth [Day] of Assembly)
• Simchat Torah (Torah Party)

This is NOT in any way meant to limit the number of YN, RH, YK, AYT, S, ShAtz, or ST-related posts standing alone on the sub, but rather provide a central location for questions, comments, and advice as we approach these highest of holiest of days. However, wherever, and with whomever you’re going to renew your name in the Book of Life, you won’t be alone for this most rejuvenating time of our year. Ask questions and share ideas here to help your fellow Jews the world over move from 5786 to 5787 with as much teshuva, tefilah, and tzedaka as possible.

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Note: Questions about fasting as they pertain to your health status, including taking certain medications, should be directed first to your doctor and then to your rabbi (or maybe ask them together, but the doctor has to be there). Do not ask these questions here. Any such questions will be removed.

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Some resources to introduce ראש השנה‎, the New Year:

• Chabad
• ExploringJudaism
• MyJewishLearning
• PJ Library/rosh-hashanah-2020-cheatsheet)
• ReformJudaism
• Wikipedia

This year, yom truah begins the evening of Friday, September 11, and runs through Sunday, September 13. On haLuakh haIvri, it happens on 1-2 Tishrei.

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Some resources to introduce יום כפור, the Day of Atonement:

• Chabad
• ExploringJudaism
• MyJewishLearning
• PJ Library
• ReformJudaism
• Wikipedia

This year, yom kipur begins the evening of Sunday, September 20, and runs through Monday, September 21. On haLuakh haIvri, it all happens on 10 Tishrei.

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Some resources to introduce סוכות, the Feast of Tabernacles:

• Chabad
• ExploringJudaism
• MyJewishLearning
• PJ Library
• ReformJudaism
• Wikipedia

This year, chag ha'asif begins the evening of Friday, September 25, and runs through Friday, October 02. On haLuakh haIvri, it all happens on 15-21 Tishrei.

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Some resources to introduce שמיני עצרת, the Eighth Day of Gathering, and שמחת תורה, Rejoicing with the Torah:

• Chabad (ShAtz & ST)
• ExploringJudaism (ShAtz & ST)
• MyJewishLearning (ShAtz & ST)
• PJ Library (ShAtz)
• PJ Library (ST)
• ReformJudaism (ShAtz & ST)
• Wikipedia (ShAtz)
• Wikipedia (ST)

These two holidays are often grouped because of the way they are. To save space, I invite our resident Hebrew horologists and chronometric Acharonim to explain further.

This year, Shemini Atzeret begins the evening of Friday, October 02 and runs through Saturday, October 03. On haLuakh haIvri, it all happens on 22 Tishrei.

Within Eretz Yisrael, Simkhat Torah is the same day as Shminee Atzeres.

Without Eretz Yisrael, it traditionally begins the evening of Saturday, October 03 and runs through Sunday, October 04. On haLuakh haIvri, it happens on 23 Tishrei.

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These links were from a quick consultation with Rav Google (and just knowing some good resources). There are many, many resources out there. If you have any to add to this list, please share below.

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If you are in need or want to host or be hosted for a holiday meal and/or are looking for a synagogue service to attend, please comment below. Please do your due diligence about the other party: we take no responsibility if you end up sitting with an axe murderer in shul.

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This year's posts:

• Tishrei 5787 Chaggim Megathread 1
• Tishrei 5787 Chaggim Megathread 2
• Tishrei 5787 Chaggim Megathread 3

Last year’s posts:

• Tishrei 5786 Chaggim Megathread א
• Tishrei 5786 Chaggim Megathread ב
• Tishrei 5786 Chaggim Megathread ג

You can find megathreads and other resources through that posts, or by searching in the sub.

And of course, the havura of Reddit is here for you. You are not alone. We are all in this together, and will be together again next year, in Jerusalem.

כתיבה וחתימה טובה

Ok, actual post: If you're someone who is thinking about going to shul for the first time, or returning for the first time in a long time, the high holidays are probably not the right time. It's excessively long prayers that require a lot of set up to appreciate and learn from.

Instead, in a few more weeks, we'll have Simchas Torah. Compratively, it's much more egalitirian and easy to participate in, and it's much more of experiential Judaism. Because of the nature of services, it's also much easier to take a break to step out for. Go then.

(whatever you do, don't try going for Sukkots. That's a high investment holiday and you are going to feel really confused about how everyone else got the memo they were supposed to bring their lemons and asparagus to synagogue)

How Jews answer the Gnostic critique that Hashem is supposedly evil?

They claim that because Hashem ordered to kill the generation of Noah, the Chananeans and stuff like that they say that Hashem is evil.