For those of you who weren’t here in the early days of the blog (last year), go check out the heinousness of my first 3 day yontif observance last year. Needless to say, I wasn’t looking forward to another season of 3 day chags. Minus a date with a minor back injury on some wet […]
Dr. Strangesmell (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the 3 Day Chag) Read Post »
This blog is shomer Shabbat and Yom Tov. Therefore, there are no posts on Thursday, September 29, and Friday, September 30. Shanah tova!
Tonight Begins Rosh Hashanah Read Post »
Aish Connections has asked me to pass along information about their No Membership Required campaign: it’s “a complimentary database of synagogues across the country that offer social, engaging and unique services for non-members. It lists Synagogue details (and prices where relevant) and indicates what range of services are offered including additional programs such for youth, teen, and explanatory
Last Minute Thoughts before Rosh Hashanah Read Post »
The High Holydays are upon us, and that means there is a lot going on. You miss a lot of work and school, and you can’t take phone calls for those days either. You cease to exist to the outside world for a couple of weeks. In order to stress the importance and insanity of
Everything You Need to Know About the High Holidays in 30 Seconds Read Post »
This page is a continual work-in progress. I don’t expect that this is exhaustive, but feel free to add your additions to the comments, and I’ll them to the master list. These are in no particular order. Remember that you can transfer fire, but not create new fire. The best way to have an open
Pre-Yontif Checklist: A Work in Progress Read Post »
On motzei Shabbos, Ashkenazim (and Chabad) began their series of the penitential prayers known as selichot. Sephardim started saying slichot at the beginning of this month, Elul. As Rosh HaShanah starts on Wednesday night, try to make the effort to rise early and go to synagogue so that you can recite slichot with the congregation.
Adventures in Semantics: The Thirteen Attributes of Hashem’s Mercy Read Post »
Tonight begins the 25th of Elul. According to Rabbi Eliezer, this is the day Hashem began creating the world. In other words, today is “the first day.” Therefore: Adam was created on the sixth day, and Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the year from the time Adam was created. Why would we measure the
The 25th of Elul: The Beginning of Creation? Read Post »
It is 3am, and I have a post that has to go up today, but I know all of you want to be “in the know,” so we’re going to have a double post today! The Maccabeats released their new video tonight, while mysteriously everyone but the Maccabeats were at a Jewish rock concert. In
Falling Into the Rabbit Hole of Orthodox Pop Culture Read Post »
If you don’t already know this, you should: You don’t have to be Jewish to merit olam haba, the afterlife. In other words, Hashem loves non-Jews too. And even better, you don’t have to wear anything in particular, or subscribe to a particular religion, or eat kosher! All non-Jews have to do to please Hashem
The Seven Noachide Laws – Sheva Mitzvot B’Nei Noach Read Post »
During this time of growth, what have you been focusing on to make your soul “bigger”? I’ve been focusing on my davening, especially in Hebrew.
It’s Elul, What Are You Doing to Make Your Soul Bigger? Read Post »