Taking on Shabbat observance will reveal details of your life that you have never considered before. For instance, you take toilet paper for granted. I promise you do. But then someone (or a book or website) will tell you, “Oh, you can’t tear toilet paper on Shabbat.” And then you will be confused. Rinse and […]
How to Have Toilet Paper on Shabbat Read Post »
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 »
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 »
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
Pre-Yontif Checklist: A Work in Progress Read Post »
If you don’t already know this, you should: You don’t have to be Jewish to merit olam haba, the afterlife. In other words, Hashem loves non-Jews too. And even better, you don’t have to wear anything in particular, or subscribe to a particular religion, or eat kosher! All non-Jews have to do to please Hashem
The Seven Noachide Laws – Sheva Mitzvot B’Nei Noach Read Post »
This little piece of halacha seems like it should be obvious, but maybe that’s just me. Don’t daven or say a bracha around a foul smell. As a practical matter in shul, this usually relates to passing gas. If you really need to do that, go outside for a minute. Halachically, everyone around you should
Talking to Hashem Around Bad Smells Read Post »
Something that confused me for a long time was that Hebrew letters are also numbers. Worse, the words for numbers have both feminine and masculine forms. But today, we’re going to focus on Hebrew numerals. Think of Roman numerals (I, V, and X) and Arabic numbers (1, 2, and 3). I find the Hebrew system
When Hebrew Letters Are Actually Numbers Read Post »
I hadn’t planned to write about slichot for another week or two, but apparently Sephardi custom is to say Slichot for the entire month of Elul. That means they start tonight. Or so I think. Ask your rabbi. Ashkenazim should begin saying slichot on Saturday night, September 24, 2011. Since it’ll be after midnight, it
Slichot in a Nutshell: Everything You Need to Know for the High Holidays Read Post »
Tonight begins the two days of rosh chodesh Elul, the new month of Elul. (Don’t get confused. Tonight starts the last day of Av, and tomorrow night starts the first day of Elul. Both days are rosh chodesh Elul. That’s two-day rosh chodesh for you!) Elul is the last month of the Jewish calendar, as
What Is Elul and Why Does It Matter? Read Post »
You’ve heard it before (and maybe you’ve even said it), “Shabbat is so restrictive. All you can do is go to synagogue.” And reenforcing that perception, a Google search looking for activities allowed on Shabbat only returns pages and pages of things you can’t do on Shabbat. For someone new to Shabbat, you’re left wading
What CAN I do on Shabbat? Shabbos-Friendly Activities Read Post »