As many Jews throughout the ages have unfortunately discovered, most mitzvot can be violated for the sake of saving a human life. In fact, it then becomes a mitzvah to disregard that mitzvah. (In other words, saving a life “outranks” the other mitzvah, so that the other one no longer applies.) But not all mitzvot […]
Exceptions to Pikuach Nefesh (Saving a Life) Read Post »
You’ve been invited to a Shabbat meal. That’s great! But oh no, they’ve asked you to contribute something towards the meal! As a halachic non-Jew, this can raise a lot of kashrut issues. So what are your options? Bring nothing and simply enjoy the hospitality of your host. Being an overly polite Southerner, I don’t
This is my first post on Torah, but I just can’t resist this parsha. The story of the spies is one of my favorites, and last year, it was even the parsha when I visited Eretz Yisrael for the first time! Appropriate, right? The spies became a kind of analogy for my Birthright group, which
Parsha Shlach: The Spies, the Ayin Tov, and Converts Read Post »
As a female who still has plenty to learn, I understand that my male readers get somewhat shortchanged because I don’t have experience with some things that concern them. Thanks to a generous offer for a guest post, today you get to read some practical information about tzitzit and tallitot! Women, keep in mind that
Guest Post: The Practical Guide to Tzitzit and Talleisim Read Post »
Here is Tuesday’s awesome and modest look! Calhoun decided to photobomb me, looking for lovin’. The skirt is a black, floor-length (because I’m short) polyester/rayon blend and comes from from Nordstrom’s kids’ section. The t-shirt is from my Birthright trip to Israel, so it has the easily-spotted Birthright logo on the pocket area and a
Dressing Awesomely and Modestly: The “Fresh off the Boat from Seminary” Look Read Post »
After posting a picture of my Jewish library two weeks ago, I got many questions about the books on those shelves! So I decided to share the books that are MY “essential Jewish library.” I posted a list of recommended books for your own essential Jewish library in the tabs above. Your library will probably
Kochava’s Essential Jewish Library Read Post »
For an introduction to hechshers, read What Are Hechshers and Why Do I Care? Now let’s go more in-depth to hechshers. Conversion candidates and others new to kashrut get hechsher-dependent and get anxious about eating anything without a hechsher because we don’t trust our own knowledge (or may still lack that knowledge). What kinds of products
Things That Don’t Need a Hechsher Read Post »
Yes, I have copyrighted the phrase “dressing awesomely and modestly,” and I will pursue any violation of my legal rights ferociously. Rawr. Here is today’s outfit, a simple black shell with flowy, hippie empire-waist floor-length dress. Less clear are the amazingly 60s sunglasses. Verdict: Surprisingly well-suited to the heat of the sun and subways. On
Dressing Awesomely and Modestly Read Post »
I apologize for today’s post being a bit late, but I always write my Friday posts on Thursdays instead of scheduling them ahead so that I can write something related to my week. Unfortunately, thanks to a dead car battery, I didn’t get back from my camp Shavuot experience until around 2:30am. But the three
Question of the Day: Women Shaving During the Omer Read Post »
This blog is shomer Shabbat and yom tov. Therefore, there are no posts on Wednesday, June 8, and Thursday, June 9.
No Posts for Shavuot Read Post »