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 […]
What to Do When You’re Craving Treif Read Post »
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
Converts & Fear: Is a Beit Din on Halachic Thin Ice? Read Post »
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
Reason #7 You Know You’re Crazy: Being the Inconvenient Friend Read Post »
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.
The Real Question on the Orthodox Conversion Candidate’s Mind Is… Read Post »
Reason #35 You Know You’re Crazy: I was SO ready to move inside the eruv because I learned out how to walk the dog without breaking Shabbat, but there’s no way to get around picking up the dog poop and carrying it to the trash. (As required by law, apartment community rules, common decency, and
Reason #35 You Know You’re Crazy: Carrying Dog Poop on Shabbat Read Post »
Today I have a meeting with a rabbi who was recommended by my new beit din! And I’m super excited! How amazing is that? You mean the conversion process can be a positive experience? Apparently yes! Even the multiple-hour drive can’t dampen my spirits 🙂 Full disclosure: I rocked my exam this morning AND I
Step #1 with the New Beit Din Read Post »
These are the things I’ve found most useful in transitioning to an observant life. Timers. Environmentally friendly and useful for kicking out Shabbat dinner guests who won’t leave at a decent hour! I usually set mine to go off at 1am, but most people seem to prefer midnight. They’re cheap: about $10 for a timer
The Best Inventions Every Convert Should Own Read Post »
I’ve got an ethical dilemma on my hands, and I’m seeking advice. But I think the underlying issue is very relevant to all of us: when a “good” mistake happens to us, is it serendipity or just a mistake that we have an ethical obligation to fix? (Apparently “fix” is a very Southern verb. Just
An Ethical Dilemma: Serendipity or a Mistake that Needs Fixing? Read Post »
Reason #827 You Know You’re Crazy: You’re drowning in Jewish acronyms, but eventually they begin to make sense. Some of the acronyms I’ve found to be the most common include… B”H: Baruch HaShem. Thank G-d. B”H: B’Ezrat/Ezer HaShem. Means “With G-d’s help.” Some people write this at the top of letters/emails. BS”D: B’si’ata d’shmaya. Means
Reason #827 You Know You’re Crazy: Drowning in Acronyms Read Post »
Reason #237 You Know You’re Crazy: You Have a Love/Hate Relationship with Jewish Geography. As for me, I have an unnatural love of Jewish Geography. I’m not athletic or competitive in general, but Jewish Geography gets my competitiveness going. I really get into it. I get really excited knowing that I know Jews all over