Understanding Jewish customs is essential for a comprehensive study of the Bible, as these traditions provide context and depth to the narratives and teachings found within the Scriptures. Jewish customs, deeply rooted in the Torah and the historical experiences of the Jewish people, illuminate the cultural and religious backdrop of the biblical text.

Sabbath (Shabbat): The Sabbath is a cornerstone of Jewish religious life, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. It is a day of rest and spiritual enrichment, commemorating God's rest on the seventh day of creation. Exodus 20:8-10 states, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God." The Sabbath is marked by prayer, family gatherings, and abstention from work, reflecting a covenantal relationship with God.

Passover (Pesach): Passover is a significant Jewish festival that commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The observance includes the Seder meal, which features symbolic foods and the retelling of the Exodus account. Exodus 12:14 instructs, "This day is to be a memorial for you, and you are to celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; as a lasting ordinance, you are to celebrate it for the generations to come." The festival underscores themes of liberation and divine intervention.

Circumcision (Brit Milah): Circumcision is a covenantal sign given to Abraham and his descendants, as recorded in Genesis 17:10-11 : "This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, which you are to keep: Every male among you must be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you." This rite, performed on the eighth day after birth, signifies a Jewish male's entry into the covenant community.

Dietary Laws (Kashrut): The dietary laws, or kashrut, dictate what is permissible for consumption. Leviticus 11 outlines these regulations, emphasizing the distinction between clean and unclean animals. Observance of kashrut is a daily expression of holiness and obedience to God's commandments, as Leviticus 11:44 states, "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, because I am holy."

Prayer and Worship: Jewish prayer and worship are integral to daily life and communal gatherings. The Shema, a central declaration of faith, is recited twice daily, affirming the oneness of God: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4). The synagogue serves as a place of communal worship, study, and assembly, fostering a sense of community and continuity.

Feasts and Festivals: In addition to Passover, other biblical feasts include the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). These festivals, outlined in Leviticus 23, are times of reflection, thanksgiving, and renewal, each with its own unique customs and significance.

Marriage and Family: Marriage is highly valued in Jewish tradition, seen as a sacred covenant reflecting God's relationship with His people. The wedding ceremony, or Kiddushin, includes the exchange of vows under a chuppah (canopy), symbolizing the couple's new home. Family life is central, with an emphasis on teaching children the ways of the Lord, as instructed in Deuteronomy 6:7 : "And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Understanding these customs provides insight into the lived experience of biblical characters and the early Christian community, which emerged from this rich cultural and religious milieu.