When you start corresponding with a beit din (whether to ask for an application or after submitting your application), you will generally be talking to the Av Beit Din. So what is he and what does he do? Av Beit Din translates roughly as head of the beit din. Av generally means father. Depending on
What Is an Av Beit Din? Read Post »
Unfortunately, this “problem” is already over for this year, but I want to address it now in case someone thinks it applies to all of chag. And of course, it’ll be here, ready for you as a reminder before Sukkot of 2015. Owning the Lulav Set On the first day(s) of chag, you must “own”
Problem: You Must Own the Lulav You Are Shaking on the First Day(s) of Chag Read Post »
The lulav and the esrog might be the strangest-looking ritual in Judaism, but there are some common symbolisms you should know. There are two major “theories” of what they represent, so let’s go through them! That way, you won’t be caught unawares this chag. And then we’ll discuss two more symbolic theories so you can
Lulav & Etrog 101: The Deeper Meaning Behind the Lulav and Etrog on Sukkot Read Post »
As you probably learned over Rosh Hashanah, three day yom tovs require a lot of logistical awareness. I thought it might be a good idea to write it out to help you plan the 3 day chag coming up this week. However, this timeline is written for 3 day chagim generally. Always double-check the times
Basic Timeline for a Three Day Yontif Read Post »
Succot, Sukkot, Succos… but for some reason, you never see it written Sukkos. Don’t rely on the “How to pronounce Sukkot” video on YouTube. It’s a computer voice with a British accent that is actually trying to say Sukkos. Don’t bother with this other computer-generated-Brit sound file either and for the same reason. Accented Syllable
How Do You Pronounce Sukkot and Sukkos? Read Post »
Daf Yomi is the practice of studying one page of the Talmud daily in a seven year cycle. By “page,” we mean two “normal pages” front and back of one sheet of paper, also known as a folio. One page a day for a total of 7.5 years. And at the end, we throw a
What Is Daf Yomi and How Does It Work? Read Post »
It’s that time, folks. The Ten Days of Repentance. People are probably saying a long Hebrew phrase at you, and you’re trying to figure out what the heck it is. Don’t feel bad. The first year, I was really confused for a week or so, and then it stopped, and I forgot all about it.
How to Pronounce Gmar Chatima Tova Read Post »
Nope. Whether your name is Shaindy or Sunshine, Chaim or Christina, Mendy or Moustafa, you are Jewish if you’re Jewish. Now, who qualifies as Jewish is a much bigger and hotly debated question! If you’re Jewish (by whatever definition you’re using) and don’t have a Hebrew name, you can continue to live without a Hebrew
Do You Need a Hebrew Name to be “Jewish”? Read Post »
Let’s get in some deep psychological stuff today. Let’s talk about impostor syndrome. Sometimes (okay, maybe a lot), I feel like a Jewish impostor. We’ll start with a visit to my Inner Monologue: After 10 years in the community and almost 3 years after Conversion 2.0, I still wonder if I was really, totally sincere. And
The Impostor Syndrome After Conversion Read Post »
I happen to be a big fan of the Colbert Report. Stephen Colbert is a fellow Charlestonian, so I can hipster you by telling you that I’ve probably been stalking him longer than you. I was catching up on last week’s episodes and caught a great segment called The Atone Phone, where Jews can call
Stephen Colbert, the Atone Phone, and a Jewish Conversion for Wilco Frontman Jeff Tweedy Read Post »