"The Deed" - A Guide to Mitzvot - Five-minute videos on the practical performance of mitzvot

5:32

Tefillin

The Tefillin are our connection to G-d, as we submit the thoughts in our mind and the emotions in our heart to G-d.

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4:43

Mezuzah

Sanctifying Your Home

The mezuzah and the laws concerning the small scroll of protection that adorns every door of our homes.

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6:12

Tzitzit & Tallit

A Constant Reminder

Explore the significance of the ritually fringed four-cornered garment.

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4:40

Charity

More Than A Charitable Act

Tzedakah is more than a Charitable act. It is sharing with others what G-d in His kindness has given us.

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5:33

Torah Study

More Than a History Book

The Torah is more than a history book. It is G-d’s instructions to humanity. It tells us how to maximize our potential on this earth.

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4:14

The Sefer Torah

The last commandment of the Torah is to write one’s own Sefer Torah. Today this is commonly done through buying a letter, chapter or portion in a joint Sefer Torah. It is written by a scribe who is specially ordained to write, and its laws are meticulous.

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3:52

Which Animals Are Kosher?

Which species of animals, birds, fish and vermin are kosher, and which are not?

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5:48

Kosher Meat Preparation

The preparation of kosher food is meticulous: slaughtering, checking and removing of the blood, plus which parts of the animal may not be eaten.

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4:44

The Kosher Kitchen

One of the fundamental principles of a Kosher home is keeping Milk and Meat separate; from pots & pans and cutlery to stoves and sinks. Plus: The laws of Koshering utensils previously used for non-kosher foods.

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4:45

Shopping for Kosher

Shopping for Kosher foods, baked goods, fresh fruit and packaged goods; looking out for the Kosher certification and labels.

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4:57

Kosher Wine

Wine represents the holiness and separateness of the Jewish people. However, since wine was and still is used in many forms of idolatrous worship, it has a unique status in Jewish law, which places extra restrictions on the making and handling of wine.

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5:40

The Shabbat Table

A Practical Guide

The rituals and customs that we have practiced for centuries at the Shabbat table; from lighting candles to eating delicious Challah.

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5:05

Shabbat Overview

Our sages tell us: G-d told the heavenly angels: “I have a special treasure called Shabbat, and I will give it to the Jewish people”. For six days we work, and the seventh – Shabbat brings holiness and rest” {Ed. Note: Not filmed on Shabbat}

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4:58

Shabbat Observance - Part I

Part I

“On the Seventh day you shall rest from all work”. What constitutes work? There are 39 Cardinal prohibitions on the Shabbat, and many off-shoot laws that are derived thereof. The first in a series of eight classes, defining the laws of work on Shabbat.

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5:01

Shabbat Observance - Part II

The second in a series of eight classes, defining the laws of work on Shabbat.

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4:50

Shabbat Observance - Part III

The third in a series of eight classes, defining the laws of work on Shabbat.

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4:17

Shabbat Observance - Part IV

The fourth in a series of eight classes, defining the laws of work on Shabbat.

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5:05

Shabbat Observance - Part V

The fifth in a series of eight classes, defining the laws of work on Shabbat.

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4:42

Shabbat Observance - Part VI

The sixth in a series of eight classes, defining the laws of work on Shabbat.

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6:18

Shabbat Observance - Part VII

The seventh in a series of eight classes, defining the laws of work on Shabbat.

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5:46

Shabbat Observance - Part VIII

The final episode in a series of eight classes, defining the laws of work on Shabbat.

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5:49

Shatnez

Mixing Wool and Linen

Shatnez is the prohibition of wearing garments mixed with wool and linen. Join us as we take an up-close look at how to check materials to ensure they’re free of shatnez.

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4:43

Redeeming the Firstborn Son

The "Pidyon Haben"

The mitzvah of pidyon haben is to redeem the firstborn son by giving a Kohen five silver shekels when the boy becomes a month old.

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4:24

Upsherin

A Boy’s First Haircut

An Upsherin is the traditional “first haircut” ceremony held on a boy’s third birthday. This ceremony marks the start of the child’s formal education, and is highlighted by leaving the child’s payot, and his starting to wear a kippah and tzitzit.

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4:14

Bar Mitzvah

Religious Maturity

A boy attains his religious maturity and becomes responsible to fulfill all Torah commandments at the age of thirteen; this milestone is traditionally celebrated with a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

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4:46

Engagement - Part 1

Part 1

The Jewish way of dating and preparing yourself for your wedding.

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5:01

Engagement - Part 2

Part 2

The Jewish way of dating and preparing yourself for your wedding.

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4:58

Wedding - Part 1

Part 1

The key components of a Jewish wedding and some customs and traditions.

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5:09

The Wedding - Part 2

Part 2

The key components of a Jewish wedding and some customs and traditions.

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5:44

Kaddish

Prayer for the Deceased

Children recite Kaddish for their loved ones’ departed soul. What is the meaning of Kaddish and how, when and why is Kaddish recited?

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4:45

Last Will

Estate Issues in Jewish Law

This presentation sheds light on writing a Jewish will and the legalities of estate issues with regard to inheritance.

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5:19

Taharah

Jewish Burial

One of the most important elements of a proper Jewish burial is the Taharah; preparing the body for its final rest by the Chevra Kaddisha or Jewish Burial Society.

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5:12

The Funeral

A Jewish funeral is distinguished by its simplicity, humility and solemnity. It emphasizes the spiritual and sublime over the physical and material.

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5:14

The Cantor

The Chazzan

Most prayers are led by a member of the congregation who serves as chazzan or canter. The congregation follows the leader for the duration of the prayer service.

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5:56

Rosh Hashanah

The Jewish New Year

A deeper look into the meanings and customs of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year: From crowning G-d as our king to blowing the Shofar and dipping apple into honey.

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6:14

Shofar

Have you ever wondered why we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashnah? Learn all about the meaning of the most central mitzvah of this holiday.

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6:09

Tashlich

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah we go to a body of water to recite the tashlich prayer, where we beseech G-d for mercy, atonement and a good new year.

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6:12

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement

Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the calendar, is a day of atonement which is observed chiefly through fasting.

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6:12

Yizkor

Memorial Prayer

Yizkor, the memorial prayer for the departed, is observed on specific holidays for the souls of those who passed on.

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7:12

The Lulav

On Sukkot we shake the lulav and etrog. Learn how to do this mitzvah of taking “the four kinds”.

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6:15

The Etrog

The beauty of “the four kinds” is the etrog, the citron fruit. What distinguishes the etrog from an ordinary lemon?

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6:49

Sukkah - Part 1

Part 1 - Building the Sukkah

Get an up-close look on how to build a sukkah, the temporary dwelling used on Sukkot.

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5:48

Sukkah - Part 2

Part 2 - Eating in the Sukkah

On Sukkot we move from our living and dining room to the sukkah; dicover how and why this is done.

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6:07

Simchat Torah

On Simchat Torah we complete the yearly cycle of Torah readings, and celebrate by dancing with the Torah.

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5:58

Chanukah

A short overview of the story of Chanukah and its special traditions.

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6:04

The Menorah

How to light the menorah.

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5:28

All About Chanukah

A brief review of the story and practices of the festival of Chanukah

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4:01

Purim

The Festival of Joy

The story, the customs and the fun!

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6:09

Mishloach Manot

The Purim Food Basket

One of the four Purim observances is ‘mishloach manot’, sending a friend a food gifts. Here is how it’s done.

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7:22

Chametz

On Passover we not only abstain from eating chametz, but we are enjoined to totally remove it from our possession. Hence the cleaning and koshering before the holiday.

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6:33

Matzah - Part 1

Part 1

What is matzah and how is it made? Here’s how we do it!

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6:32

Matzah - Part 2

Part 2

What is matzah and how is it made? Here’s how we do it!

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6:13

Pre-Seder

Many of the items that will be used at the Seder will need to be prepared in advance. Here’s how.

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5:45

Seder Plate

Learn how to arrange and assemble your seder plate.

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6:52

Seder - Part 1

Part 1

A step by step guide on how to lead a proper Passover seder

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7:58

Haggadah

Central to the seder is the ‘haggadah’ – the seder manual from which we relate the story of the exodus.

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7:29

Seder - Part 2

Part 2

A step by step guide on how to lead a proper Passover seder

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6:01

Shavuot

A short overview of the customs and meaning of the holiday of Shavuot, celebrating the giving of the Torah.

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6:18

Birchat Kohanim

The Priestly Blessings

On specific holidays the kohanim, the descendants of Aaron, bless the congregation during the morning services.

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6:20

Rosh Chodesh

The Jewish Calendar

Rosh Chodesh, the head of the month, plays a big role in the Jewish calendar, where the lunar cycle is front and center. Learn how the Jewish calendar works.

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