Blog - Building a Jewish Life

Management Update: The blog just hit 100,000 views!

Yes, I’m a dork. A dork who loves statistics. The blog just crossed 100,000 views. And yes, I did watch the stats page this evening to make sure I’d see it happen! I predicted that it would cross this milestone tomorrow, and I wasn’t sure whether the blog or my car would cross 100,000 first. (I […]

The Value of Productivity

The Lubavitcher Rebbe used to tell a story: A nobleman who enjoyed the aesthetics of life hired a farmer to stand inside his castle and move back and forth with a hand pick, just as he would do in the field. The nobleman took great pleasure in the simple elegance of the farmer’s sway, and […]

Phrase of the Day: Talmid Chacham

For your post-Tu B’Av pleasure… Doesn’t every man want to be a Talmid chacham? I know every woman wants to marry one. Even more than they want to marry the Old Spice Guy. (Old Old Spice Guy Isaiah, not New Old Spice Guy Fabio.) Talmid chacham just means Torah scholar. An illustration of such a […]

Management Update: Updated Conversion Candidate Toolbox

I’ve edited and updated the conversion candidate’s toolbox on the right side of your screen.

Today is Tu B’Av

Today is Tu B’Av, the 15th of Av. Tu B’Av is not the most well-known holiday, putting it lightly. The Shulchan Aruch doesn’t even mention its history or customs except for the adjustments to the daily prayers for a holiday. On the other hand, the Talmud considers this the most important festival of the year, […]

My Narrow, Unsympathetic Point of View

Today, I’d like to take a minute to discuss something that I believe is important to clarify. From a comment: “There is a lot of pain involved with conversion for many people, but I’ve noticed time and again that you don’t seem to see this. Human feelings and embarrassment and dignity are a PART of halacha… I’ve read a […]

Black and Jewish

There is a lot to be said about being “black and Jewish.” I’m not sure I’m the right person to say it, but I certainly have my thoughts on the subject and knowledge of the experiences of others. I still haven’t found the right words, so the discussion will have to wait for another day. […]

Adventures in Semantics: Shailah and Machlokes

Sometimes it feels as though every shailah ends in a machlokes. A shailah is a question requesting a religious ruling. You are usually asking your own LOR (local orthodox rabbi). Here are some examples: Do I need to kasher a can opener? And if so, how? Can I scoop cat litter on Shabbat? Probably not, so […]

Today is Tisha B’Av

No official post today, as it is a holiday. Call your mom. Love your neighbor. Love your enemy.

The Destruction of the Beis HaMikdash Continues Today

Starting tonight through Wednesday morning, we mourn the destruction of our Temples. As some basic Jewish education, what caused the destruction of the First and Second Temples? There’s the “easy” response: The First was destroyed by the Babylonians. The Second by the Romans. However, the Sages in the Talmud have an additional explanation, in order […]