Judaica Knowledge Base

Preparing a home for Passover is one of the most distinctive parts of the holiday. Unlike many other Jewish festivals, Passover requires physical changes in the home — especially the removal of … read more

Bedikat Chametz is the traditional search for chametz (leavened food) performed on the night before Passover begins. It marks the final step in preparing a Jewish home for the holiday and ensures tha … read more

Chametz refers to certain leavened foods that are prohibited during the holiday of Passover (Pesach). Avoiding chametz is one of the central observances of Passover and shapes many of the holiday&rsq … read more

When people talk about a mezuzah, they often picture the decorative case mounted on a doorpost. But the most important part of a mezuzah is not the case—it is the mezuzah scroll inside. The scr … read more

Havdalah is the Jewish ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat and the transition back into the weekday. Performed on Saturday night, Havdalah gently separates sacred time from ordinary time, helping … read more