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 […]
Phrase of the Day: Hiddur Mitzvah Read Post »
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
Life Without Halloween Read Post »
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
“How Do I Know If You’re Sincere or Not?” Read Post »
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 Yom Tov…Yes, Again Read Post »
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.
Tonight Begins Sukkot Read Post »
I need to issue a correction. I apologize, but I copied and pasted some information from my Tisha B’Av post and then edited it for Yom Kippur. Being me, I missed deleting that we sit on stools until midday like a mourner. That only applies on Tisha B’Av. On Yom Kippur, you will be sitting
Update: Yom Kippur in a Nutshell Read Post »
This year, Yom Kippur is from sunset of Friday, October 7, 2011, until sunset of October 8. This is the only fast that overrides Shabbat’s mitzvah to make a festive meal. Normally, fasting is prohibited on Shabbat, and the fast is moved to Sunday. However, Yom Kippur is the “Shabbat of Shabbats,” so its fasting
Yom Kippur in a Nutshell: Why We Fast & Reflect Read Post »
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
Dr. Strangesmell (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the 3 Day Chag) Read Post »
This blog is shomer Shabbat and Yom Tov. Therefore, there are no posts on Thursday, September 29, and Friday, September 30. Shanah tova!
Tonight Begins Rosh Hashanah Read Post »
Aish Connections has asked me to pass along information about their No Membership Required campaign: it’s “a complimentary database of synagogues across the country that offer social, engaging and unique services for non-members. It lists Synagogue details (and prices where relevant) and indicates what range of services are offered including additional programs such for youth, teen, and explanatory
Last Minute Thoughts before Rosh Hashanah Read Post »