You don’t have to be a fake linguist like me to learn how to speak “frum” quickly and almost painlessly. But you do need patience, some time, humility, and the realization that you will make mistakes (and that you will feel like an idiot when you do). Everyone’s path is different, but this is how […]
How to Learn to Speak “Frum” Read Post »
Taking on Shabbat observance will reveal details of your life that you have never considered before. For instance, you take toilet paper for granted. I promise you do. But then someone (or a book or website) will tell you, “Oh, you can’t tear toilet paper on Shabbat.” And then you will be confused. Rinse and
How to Have Toilet Paper on Shabbat Read Post »
A short PSA this afternoon: The plural of “rabbi” is “rabbis.” NOT “rabbi’s.” Please don’t mistake possessives for plurals. “Rabbi’s” makes me wonder what the rabbi owns. That is all. Sincerely, The Grouchy Grammar Gremlin
Public Service Announcement from a Grammar Gremlin Read Post »
This isn’t worth a “regular” daily post, but I thought this was a really nice video. Regardless of what you think of Aish, I like how they showed the diversity of people who study Torah regularly and that even the busiest professionals find a way to make time for it! “Read it. Study it. Enjoy
Nice Video from Aish About Torah Study Read Post »
Many conversion candidates believe that a prior conversion will speed up the time of a second conversion. (If you are in the unlucky group that gets to 3+ conversions, you’re more likely in the territory of geirus l’chumrah than “normal” geirus.) After all, it makes sense: you’ve already “cast your lot with the Jewish people,”
Convert Questions: Is Conversion Faster If You Have a Prior Conversion? Read Post »
The Hebrew alef-bet is easy to learn, even if you’ve never learned another language or think you’re too old of a dog to learn new tricks. And you don’t have to do it alone! Approximately every November, the National Jewish Outreach Program sponsors “Hebrew reading crash course” classes. Locate a class near you here! It’s free and
The Hebrew Alphabet Read Post »
People are both pleased and dismayed by the “streamlining” of orthodox conversion since 2006. Some believe it standardizes the process and releases “regular” rabbis from dealing with conversion issues (which your average rabbi is not well-versed in). Others feel that American rabbis capitulated to the Israeli Rabbinate and that the process invites abuse by concentrating
Conversion from the Rabbi’s Perspective Read Post »
Blogger Hadassah posted an interesting question on her blog: Should an invitation to a public lecture identify the speaker as a convert? “I was taught that you never ever out a convert. Even if everyone knows that so-and-so converted, it is a sin to point it out to anyone.” I don’t agree with that necessarily
Should Public Announcements List a Speaker as a Convert? Read Post »
Many converts want to live in peace with their Jewish history unquestioned. For converts able to physically “pass” (aka, those who are white or Middle Eastern or otherwise of “vague” ethnicity), it’s easier to blend into the born-Jewish community. However, even the most “Jewy-looking” convert can be “outed” by Jewish geography. Even if you are
How Jewish Geography Will Trap You Read Post »
There is a mitzvah to make a mitzvah beautiful or otherwise enhance the mitzvah beyond the demands of the halacha through aesthetics. Generally, it refers to the beauty of a physical ritual object. The source for hiddur mitzvah is Exodus/Shmot 15:2 “This is my God, and I will glorify Him.” Many mitzvot require a physical
Phrase of the Day: Hiddur Mitzvah Read Post »