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What Does Chai Mean? The Hebrew Word for Life and the Number 18
Chai (חי) means life in Hebrew. Its two letters add up to 18, which is why Jewish gifts are so often given in multiples of 18. What the word means, how to say it, and why it is worn. Read more...
The Hamsa: Meaning, History and Jewish Tradition
The hamsa is an open hand, often with an eye at its center, kept in homes and worn as jewelry across the Middle East and North Africa. What it means in Jewish tradition, why it has five fingers, and whether it should point up or down. Read more...
How to Light the Hanukkah Menorah: Order, Blessings and Dates for 2026
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on Friday, December 4. How to set up the candles, which one to light first, the three blessings in Hebrew, transliteration and English, and what to do on Friday night. Read more...
How to Hang a Mezuzah: Where, When and the Blessing
Which doorpost, how high, which way to tilt it, and the blessing to say, in Hebrew, transliteration and English. A step-by-step guide to putting up a mezuzah. Read more...
What Does the Star of David Mean? History, Symbolism and How to Wear It
The Star of David, Magen David in Hebrew, is a six-pointed star made of two interlaced triangles and the most widely recognized symbol of Jewish identity. Here is where it comes from, what it means today and how to choose one. Read more...