Blog - Building a Jewish Life

Conversion Issues: Computer Use on Shabbat

I’m sure the topic of this post confuses you. Of course you can’t use a computer on Shabbat! That’s right. But there are still some computer issues that could create the appearance of using a computer on Shabbat, and that might just get a conversion candidate in hot water with a rabbi or beit din. […]

You’re Getting a Second Conversion! What About the Mezuzot?

Maybe you’re considering getting another conversion. But what about the mezuzahs you already have on your doors? In your new community (even if it’s within the same geographic area), you are not (or “might not” be) halachically a Jew. Mezuzot on your doors could confuse people, and technically, you aren’t obligated in the mitzvah. Of […]

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread: The Seforim Sale

There’s an interesting thing going on in Manhattan in the month of February! The Seforim Sale has conquered the Yeshiva University campus. It is the largest seforim sale in North America, and almost everything is being sold at a reduced price. There’s books, cookbooks, music, children’s books, all kinds of things. For a bibliophile, it’s […]

Management Update: Requests for Assistance

I have two things I want to quickly cover today. A) I’m having a long-running problem with Blogger, and I’m looking to talk with anyone who might be able to help. Since beginning this blog, the search function at the top of the page does not work properly. I don’t know why, and I don’t […]

Is It Forbidden to Wear Colors Other than Black, White, and Navy Blue?

Today’s question comes straight from a Google search term that lead to my site. Someone wanted to know if orthodox Jews are required to only wear black, navy blue, and white (and presumably cream, based on personal observations). This is not true. You can wear other colors and not be in violation of tznius. Of […]

Judge Favorably, But Don’t Ignore Red Flags

I have a big rallying point that I try to drive home in the born-Jewish community: Conversion candidates are the canaries in the mine of Judaism. If you don’t know the analogy, here’s what Wikipedia has to say: “Canaries were once regularly used in coal mining as an early warning system. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, methane […]

How to Choose a Waiting Time Between Meat and Milk

In short: Just pick one. Your options: A full 6 hours 5 hours and one minute 3 hours 1 hour (Almost no one does this, and you better be able to say you’re Dutch or in a Dutch community. I have a Dutch name, I really should have considered this option.) I believe there is […]

What Not to Do When You “Frum Out”

When you first become “religious,” you’re passionate. You’re motivated. You’re going to be the best Jew ever. This is called “frumming out.” Conversion candidates do this just as much as baalei teshuva. And are just as unpopular for it. You might just drive everyone you know crazy. You have discovered The Truth, and if everyone […]

Word of the Day: Parnassa

Parnassa (also written parnassah) means livelihood. It is your income and your ability to support yourself. Traditionally, it has meant your “living” in the sense of “making a living.” I think the shift in people (primarily men) learning instead of being a breadwinner has shifted the “definition” to one focused more directly on the money a […]

My Conversion Is Complete

I debated on if/when/how to write about this on the blog. My conversion was finalized on Jan 12, and I’m very happy with the conversion experience. It had its difficulties early on, but a new location and new rabbis gave me a conversion that was as respectful and as painless as a conversion can be. […]