On another occasion it happened that a certain conversion candidate came before a rabbi and said to him, “Make me tznius in a New York City winter, on condition that you teach me all your fashion secrets while I stand on one foot.” Thereupon he repulsed her with the builder’s cubit which was in his […]
Tznius Women and Winter Weather Read Post »
I’m happy to report that I’ve passed both the New York and New Jersey bar exams! Next on the list is the California bar exam in July 2012! However, I remain an unlicensed attorney while the bureaucrats go through the paperwork. So don’t send me your legal questions 😛 Unfortunately, the job hunt continues.
Management Update: Bar Exams Read Post »
This is an interesting issue that came up in a comment, and I thought it deserved its own post. Why can’t you finish a conversion so long as you live a significant walking distance from shul? To start, what distance ARE they looking for? Typically, you are alright if you are living “within the eruv,”
Why Batei Din Are Opposed to You Living Long Distances from Synagogue Read Post »
There is a lesson that many conversion candidates and newly religious Jews are not told until they’ve made a fool of themselves: There are different interpretations of halacha, and it’s possible for all these interpretations to be halachically valid and accepted. In other words, the modern orthodox, the “just plain orthodox,” the chassidim, and the
Lessons from Hillel: There Is Generally No One “Right” Way in Halacha Read Post »
When you cast your lot with the Jewish people, you develop a new excitement about seeing Jewish people in places you consider “non-Jewish.” When you’re visiting a rural area with essentially no Jewish population, you are shocked to see a kippah, and you might just try to tackle the guy in your excitement. Personally, people
Nusach is the style of the prayer service practiced in different communities. The differences in structure and melodies (the melodies are also called nusach) are normally relatively minor, but they can be enough to trip you up. When dealing with an unfamiliar nusach, just keep following the siddur. There are many nusachim, but there are
Word of the Day: Nusach Read Post »
I’ve written before that I don’t like the phrase “religious Jews.” Now I have a better explanation for it, thanks to Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. I’m still looking for a better phrase if you have one! Rabbi Telushkin sums up the situation very well in Hillel: If Not Now, When?: …[I[f two Jews are speaking about
Phrase of the Day: Being “Religious” Read Post »
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 »