Shabbat Shalom, all! This is the first week of short winter Shabbats here in the US, thanks to the fall time change. I really hate when Shabbat comes in early. Not because I run out of time to prepare (heaven knows I don’t have much to prepare!), but because I really feel the Shabbat spirit […]
Rule #1 of Conversions: You Can’t Hide that You’re a Convert
You cannot hide that you are a convert. Whatever their reasons may be, I’ve known many converts/conversion candidates who adamantly felt that it was no one’s business if they are converts and that no one has the right to ask them if they are a convert. That’s all well and good, but they’re still going […]
The Most-Thought Yet Least-Asked Question: Are You Shomer Negiah?
Disclaimer: While I’ve only been “frum” since June, I’ve been primarily shomer negiah for several years. I haven’t always given it the attention it deserved, and being a bit of an idiot, I was shomer negiah except where it mattered: in my romantic relationships. That’s no longer the case, even though there is no risk […]
Adventures in Semantics: Jew-by-Choice v. Convert
Am I the only one who thinks “Jews-by-Choice” is an unnecessary term? What’s so wrong with being a “convert”? For some reason, I like it, despite not really having another religion to convert “from.” At a minimum, I don’t see what’s wrong with the term convert or why some people are so opposed to it, […]
Reason #12 You Know You’re Crazy: You’re Unusually Attached to a Particular Mitzvah
Reason #12 You Know You’re Crazy: You’re unusually attached to a particular mitzvah. Mine is my mezuzot. I couldn’t tell you why, but I bought a mezuzah case (and non-kosher scroll) in 2005. I knew I couldn’t hang it, but it stayed with me for the next 5 years. This involved 5 moves. All but […]
The Importance of Support
Today I’m writing about the importance of a support system during and after your conversion. Sure, this sounds obvious, but really, it can’t be overemphasized. And not only do you need to know that your family and friends still love you and support your choices, but you also need observant friends to support you. It […]
What to Do When You’re Craving Treif
I suspect that everyone who has become Jewishly observant as an adult has cravings for treif food. (See the Glossary if you aren’t familiar with “treif.”) The question is what you do with these cravings. I suspect that most people divert their attention to something else and try to forget about it. Usually, this results […]
Converts & Fear: Is a Beit Din on Halachic Thin Ice?
Disclaimer: I had never heard of the Vancouver Beit Din until this week, when I was given access to a copy of their conversion manual. For those of you who are also unaware of them, they are (among other things) a regional conversion beit din for the Rabbinical Council of America. This means (for today […]
Reason #7 You Know You’re Crazy: Being the Inconvenient Friend
Reason #7 You Know You’re Crazy: You are the inconvenient friend. Your friends want to spend time with you. However, they are confused by kashrut. And you have no idea how many friendship-time ideas involve food. Inevitably, people are confused about what kinds of activities they can do with you, which is wonderful because they […]
The Real Question on the Orthodox Conversion Candidate’s Mind Is…
The real question on the minds of all us orthodox converts is actually “Now that I’m orthodox, am I doomed to own a minivan?” I sure hope not.
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