/morsl/taxonomy/term/300/all en /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-passover <p>Happy Passover! Passover (Pesah) is an important festival in Jewish communities, and it commemorates the departure of Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is observed over eight days, the first two and last two days are observed as holy days. The evenings of the first and second days begin with Seders, festive meals which involve the telling of the ancient Passover story. The final day of Passover marks the Israelites’ crossing of the Red Sea, as related in The Book of Exodus.</p> Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:15:20 +0000 MORSL 2531 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-tu-bshevat <p>Beginning at sundown on February 5th and lasting until February 6th at nightfall, Tu B'Shevat is one of four New Year's days in Judaism. Tu B’Shevat (the 15th day of the month of Shevat) is the New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing fruit of trees. Nowadays, it is a day for environmental awareness and action such as tree planting.</p> <p>We asked Sophie Sklar of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/chabadatmcgill/?__tn__=kK*F">Chabad at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ</a> more on the details of this celebration in Judaism:</p> Wed, 25 Jan 2023 20:19:57 +0000 MORSL 2454 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-diwali <p>Did you know that Saturday, October 22nd marks the beginning of Diwali, a five-day celebration of the Indian festival of lights? One of the most popular festivals in South Asian cultures, Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, some Buddhists. Although this harvest festival has different meanings for various religions, it generally symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".</p> Tue, 18 Oct 2022 18:21:07 +0000 MORSL 2360 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/celebrating-ramadan-and-eid-mubarak <p>Ramadan is the 9th and most sacred month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Muslims from around the world fast from sunrise to sunset. Usually, family and friends will then gather to break the fast. Of course, Ramadan is not only about fasting but also charity, patience, kindness, and self-reflection.</p> <p>ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ student Ghania Javed shared with us how they are celebrating Ramadan this year:</p> Thu, 10 Nov 2022 19:45:40 +0000 MORSL 2382 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-hanukkah <p>Hanukkah 2021 begins in the evening of <b>November 28th</b>! We asked Casandra, the president of <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/jqueer/">JQueer</a>,</b> how they are celebrating during this holiday season.</p> <p>"Hanukkah is a minor Holiday in Judaism, commemorating the Maccabee's victory and the rededication of the temple. A miracle occurred at the time where, with only one day's worth of oil, they were able to light the menorah for 8 days.</p> Tue, 01 Nov 2022 20:03:29 +0000 MORSL 2377 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-navaratri <p><b>October 7th, 2021 </b>marks the beginning of <b>Navaratri, </b>a nine-day long festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations, including Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.</p> Tue, 01 Nov 2022 17:59:20 +0000 MORSL 2375 at /morsl /morsl/article/holidays-and-holy-days/how-i-celebrate-ash-wednesday <p>Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter. It's a day for prayer, fasting, repentance, and reflection on our human finiteness. </p> <p>At a traditional Ash Wednesday service, the priest smudges ashes onto your forehead in the sign of the cross, and says, "remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." This year, in line with COVID guidelines, my partner and I are briefly meeting a priest (outdoors with masks) to receive ashes.</p> Thu, 17 Nov 2022 18:26:55 +0000 MORSL 2389 at /morsl