Shavuos is my favorite holiday. Really! I get to stay up all night learning interesting stuff and eating cheesecake. What’s not to like?? And I’m not the only convert who likes Shavuot best! Besides the nerdy, cheesy aspects of the holiday, it is also the holiday for converts. Quite honestly, I don’t understand why Shavuot […]
Shavuot: The Holiday of Nerds, Vegetarians, and Converts Read Post »
What is a hechsher? (Pronounced “heck-shure.”) It’s a symbol on a product that certifies that some rabbi or rabbinical organization has ruled that the item is kosher. Here is a list of hechshers you may see. What kinds of products have hechshers? In theory, something you would eat or might potentially consume (like swallowing toothpaste).
What Are Hechshers and Why Do I Care? Read Post »
Since I became observant of the kosher laws while living in a largely non-Jewish area, I got a lot of practice in explaining kashrut in a quick-and-dirty way. This is what I came up with, and maybe it will be useful to you! Eating kosher is essentially three levels of paying attention to what you
Explaining Kashrut to the Clueless Read Post »
Well, the first days are over. Three days without chametz, and I haven’t killed anyone yet! However, I was dismayed to realize that we’re not even halfway through Pesach yet… My only good joke so far for the yontif: Person 1: “The bread of affliction just afflicts you with constipation.” Me: “Maybe this is to
Reflections on the first days of Pesach Read Post »
Tonight is the first seder! If all goes as planned, you’re going to have a great time! And if not, ur doin it wrong. (If you don’t know this internet meme, check out this, this, and this. All are “safe for work,” assuming you’re supposed to be on the internet at all!) In all seriousness,
What to Expect at the Seder Tonight and Tomorrow Night Read Post »
A Jew can not “possess” or benefit from chametz during the 8 days of Passover (7 in Israel), which additionally includes erev Pesach (the day when Pesach begins at sunset). Any remaining chametz must be destroyed, sold, or nullified by a certain hour on the morning of erev Pesach. The hour depends on your location,
So What Exactly Are Chametz, Kitniyot, and Gebruchts? Read Post »
Using the Star K’s kosher-for-Pesach pet food list (locate the PDF under the food lists), I finally purchased my pet food for Pesach. For eight days and three upset pet tummies, I spent $70 on Science Diet food. The other brand (Blue Wilderness) would have been $100. I’m a little shocked, as you might imagine. One more reason
Shabbat Shalom! The Pets and Pesach Edition Read Post »
If you don’t already have plans for your Pesach/Passover seder, you should get on that! As an introverted person (I promise, but no one believes me) with social anxiety, I know how difficult it can be to ask people to invite you to their seder. Of course, things are much easier if you have family
How to Find a Seder for Passover Read Post »
Just in case you don’t already know, tomorrow is a fast day: Ta’anit Esther (The fast of Esther). Because Purim falls on motzei Shabbos (Saturday night) and Sunday this year, the fast is pushed forward to the Thursday before. The fast tomorrow is from sunrise to sunset. Normally, the fast would end after the Megillah
Tomorrow Is Ta’anit Esther Read Post »
I’m a student, and I’m not particularly fond of cooking. (Though I’m a great chef’s assistant!) And the closest kosher restaurant is 2 hours away. How on earth do I survive?? It’s not for the faint of heart. The answer is pretty straightforward. I cook at home, I eat at the homes of others, B”H
Survival Kit: Living Without Kosher Restaurants Read Post »