Remember to light your candle tonight. Place your candle on the far right side of the menorah (from your perspective, facing it). Recite the blessings after you have lit the shamash (helper) candle but before you light the Hanukkah candle. If you’re a visual learner, check out this video from the learning site Jewish Pathways. […]
How to Prepare for Your First Beit Din Meeting
You finally have a date with your full beit din! Yay! …Now what? Whatever you do, don’t panic. Google “how to cope with stress” if you need tips on how to keep your calm over the next few days or weeks. Nervousness will trip you up in the meeting and make you forget basic facts. […]
Getting Ready for Chanukah: The On-Going War with Candle Wax
Just a short tip today. One of the most annoying things about orthodoxy is the sheer volume of candlewax that invades every part of your life. (Drip cups are always a good idea, but they can only lessen the inevitable.) I know Chanukah is getting close when I begin thinking, “Ok, it’s time to clean […]
The “Holiday Season” Is Upon Us
This time of the year is like walking on eggshells for many conversion candidates and converts in the Christian world. And even the supportive families can become a little crazy now, even if in their overenthusiasm. Christmas is coming, whether you like it or not. [Full disclosure: I don’t like Xmas at all.] And this […]
Happy Thanksgiving!
Spend some time with the people who make you happy!
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 […]
Life Without Halloween
Apparently Monday is Halloween. I didn’t know that until today (Thursday). I knew it was coming, but I never bothered to look at the calendar. Halloween was my favorite holiday as a child. I was never thrilled by Thanksgiving or Christmas. I would even venture to say that I dislike them. As you should have […]
“How Do I Know If You’re Sincere or Not?”
Someone made a great joke over the chagim! The person said that any rabbi should know I’m sincere as soon as I say, “I’ve observed two years of 3 day yontif fully. And I’m still here.” If this didn’t come up at your yontif meals (and heaven knows it did if you were with observant […]
Tonight Begins Yom Tov…Yes, Again
This blog is shomer Shabbat and Yom Tov. Tonight begins Shemini Atzeret and Simchas Torah. Therefore, there are no posts on Thursday, October 20, and Friday, October 21.
Tonight Begins Sukkot
This blog is shomer Shabbat and Yom Tov. Tonight begins the first days of Succos. Therefore, there are no posts on Thursday, October 13, and Friday, October 14.
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