Pre-conversion, it is very frustrating to feel that your actions (your mitzvot) don’t matter. After all, you’re not Jewish. You’re not required to do anything. You have no mitvot other than the sheva mitzvot B’nei Noach. And in some areas, it can actually be problematic for you to be doing these things, like fully observing […]
Why We’re Probably Crazy After All Read Post »
This blog is shomer Shabbat and Yom Tov. Tonight begins Shemini Atzeret and Simchas Torah. Therefore, there are no posts on Thursday, October 20, and Friday, October 21.
Tonight Begins Yom Tov…Yes, Again Read Post »
I’m not always very good at sticking to long-term projects, so I really didn’t expect this blog to still be here today. And certainly not with 333 posts! Funny how things work out. Tomorrow marks one year of blogging! I had never blogged before, so I can tell a large difference from the beginning to
A Milestone: One Year of Blogging! Read Post »
The Amidah (also known as the shemoneh esrei) is the high point of the prayer services. This is the long, silent prayer where you see all the rocking. Except for the maariv service and any time there is not a minyan, the Amidah is repeated by the chazzan after (most of) the congregation has finished
What to Do During the Amidah/Shemoneh Esrei Read Post »
I used to write a lot of these posts, and I haven’t in a long time, so here we go again! However, I think this one is pretty self-explanatory, so it’s going to be short. Honestly, I think my parents should blame themselves for my eventual conversion. You don’t show Woody Allen movies to preteens
Reason #843 You Know You’re Crazy: You Have a Ridiculous Love of Woody Allen Films Read Post »
This blog is shomer Shabbat and Yom Tov. Tonight begins the first days of Succos. Therefore, there are no posts on Thursday, October 13, and Friday, October 14.
Tonight Begins Sukkot Read Post »
I’m a few days late, but last motzei Shabbos, Ben Stiller did a Yom Kippur-themed Saturday Night Live opening monologue. I’d say it’s about average quality for what SNL is putting out these days, but it certainly could have been worse. …Meh. But there was a pretty good Borsht-Belt joke at the beginning: “My father’s
Ben Stiller Does a Yom Kippur-themed Saturday Night Live Monologue Read Post »
This post is going to be a cross-over between my two main “specialties”: conversion issues and law. NOTE: I am not a family lawyer, but I did work in a family law office as a student for half of law school. While I loved working in family law, I don’t plan to practice family law
Conversion Special Cases: Converting with Children from a Prior Relationship Read Post »
Yeshivish is a language all its own. Supposedly it’s a form of English, but sometimes, you’d never know it! Yeshivish exists most strongly in Yeshivish communities (whodathunkit?), but many orthodox Jews (primarily Ashkenazim) keep some yeshivish up their sleeve. Sometimes, it’s just a faster way to communicate an idea. The words may be either Yiddish
Word of the Day: Yeshivish Read Post »
Funny how you hear one thing…and then you run into the same thing 40 times in the next week. Here is a story written by an LDS member two weeks ago about Mormons seeking to convert to orthodox Judaism. It’s very well-written and also fairly represents the Jewish reaction. I’m glad to know both sides are