The existence of synagogue membership fees always seems to be a major shock to the new conversion candidate. Coming from mainstream American society, voluntary donations during a religious service are the expected way for the average person to donate money to a religious organization (whether the candidate was involved in Christianity or not). Now, as […]
Convert Questions: What’s Up with Synagogue Membership Fees?? Read Post »
I get this question a lot, as I imagine many of you do. I’ve finally hit on an answer that I like to use on friends. I have yet to try this on someone I don’t know as well, but I would try it out. Question: What are you not allowed to do on Shabbat?
Common Question: What Can’t You Do on Shabbat? Read Post »
Yesterday and today are two “Jewish” holidays. I only put Jewish in quotes because the existence of the state of Israel is a hotly debated topic within Jewish groups. So yesterday was Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day. Someone in particular was on my mind: Elad ben Kochava. I went on a Birthright trip to Israel
Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut Read Post »
You may be asked to memorize the months of the Hebrew calendar. I’ll admit I don’t have them memorized, at least not in order. But here’s a handy list! Keep in mind that there are four new years in the Hebrew calendar, so you can begin counting the months at multiple places. For the purpose
Months of the Hebrew Calendar Read Post »
This blog is shomer Shabbat and yom tov. Therefore, no posts on Monday, April 25, and Tuesday, April 26.
No Posts for the Last Two Days of Pesach 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 »
This blog is shomer Shabbat and yom tov too! Therefore, no posts on Tuesday, April 20, and Wednesday, April 21. I’ll post another reminder before the last two days of Pesach, which are next Monday and Tuesday.
No Posts for the First Two 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 »
For your Pesach enjoyment, the LOLcat Passover Story. If you don’t already know the LOLcats, they are definitely a guilty pleasure of mine! (And there is a project to translate the entire Christian Bible-which means the “Old Testament” too!-into “lolspeak.” It’s called the LOLcat Bible Translation Project.)
Kitteh Joos No Can Haz Cheezburgers Read Post »
If you have a machzor set, you should review the Pesach machzor before Passover begins. It’s very helpful. I began reviewing mine, and the introduction has a very interesting description of the three reactions people have to exile (galus/galut). As exile is an important theme of Pesach, I thought I would share two discussions of
Thoughts on Exile as Passover Approaches Read Post »