Many converts want to live in peace with their Jewish history unquestioned. For converts able to physically “pass” (aka, those who are white or Middle Eastern or otherwise of “vague” ethnicity), it’s easier to blend into the born-Jewish community. However, even the most “Jewy-looking” convert can be “outed” by Jewish geography. Even if you are […]
Phrase of the Day: Hiddur Mitzvah
There is a mitzvah to make a mitzvah beautiful or otherwise enhance the mitzvah beyond the demands of the halacha through aesthetics. Generally, it refers to the beauty of a physical ritual object. The source for hiddur mitzvah is Exodus/Shmot 15:2 “This is my God, and I will glorify Him.” Many mitzvot require a physical […]
Working Towards Conversion: Set Aside Regular Time to Study
A conversion takes a lot of time. More than you ever expect it will. There is a lot to learn, and the frustrating thing is that there is always more to know. You will be learning Judaism until the day you die, and you will always find something new. It’s frustrating to realize how much […]
Frum and Fabulous: The New Fall Lines Are Out!
Ladies, we’re in luck this fall/winter! Frum is fabulous this year, continuing the modest fashion trends that dominated the stores this spring/summer. Nordstrom and Lane Bryant have advertised their modest skirts as fashion trends already, and Nordstrom has also advertised many modest or easily-made-modest tops. (Remember to check out Nordstrom Rack for the outlet experience!) […]
What to Do During the Amidah/Shemoneh Esrei
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 […]
Conversion Special Cases: Converting with Children from a Prior Relationship
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 […]
Word of the Day: Yeshivish
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 […]
Dr. Strangesmell (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the 3 Day Chag)
For those of you who weren’t here in the early days of the blog (last year), go check out the heinousness of my first 3 day yontif observance last year. Needless to say, I wasn’t looking forward to another season of 3 day chags. Minus a date with a minor back injury on some wet […]
Explaining the High Holidays to the Clueless in 30 Seconds
The High Holydays are upon us, and that means there is a lot going on. You miss a lot of work and school, and you can’t take phone calls for those days either. You cease to exist to the outside world for a couple of weeks. In order to stress the importance and insanity of […]
Pre-Yontif Checklist: A Work in Progress
This page is a continual work-in progress. I don’t expect that this is exhaustive, but feel free to add your additions to the comments, and I’ll them to the master list. These are in no particular order. Remember that you can transfer fire, but not create new fire. The best way to have an open […]
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