pop culture

Phrase of the Day: Talmid Chacham

For your post-Tu B’Av pleasure… Doesn’t every man want to be a Talmid chacham? I know every woman wants to marry one. Even more than they want to marry the Old Spice Guy. (Old Old Spice Guy Isaiah, not New Old Spice Guy Fabio.) Talmid chacham just means Torah scholar. An illustration of such a […]

Phrase of the Day: Talmid Chacham Read Post »

Black and Jewish

There is a lot to be said about being “black and Jewish.” I’m not sure I’m the right person to say it, but I certainly have my thoughts on the subject and knowledge of the experiences of others. I still haven’t found the right words, so the discussion will have to wait for another day.

Black and Jewish Read Post »

A World Without Music

There are various times during the year when orthodox Jews don’t listen to music. Most of the time, it’s a practical matter. For instance, on Shabbat and yontif, my iPod is quiet simply because I don’t manipulate electricity. Other times, it’s a matter of custom (which some hold to be so pervasive as to qualify

A World Without Music Read Post »

Phrase of the Day: Beged Ish

I don’t know how it happens, but the phrase “beged ish” pops up in the most random of contexts. Perhaps that says something about the people saying it, but I’ll leave that to you. Beged ish is Hebrew for “a man’s garment.” In short, men and women aren’t supposed to wear the clothing of the

Phrase of the Day: Beged Ish Read Post »

Jewish Resources Are Getting Weirder and Weirder

While researching yesterday’s post for conversion gift ideas, I came across one of the strangest bits of Judaica I’ve ever seen: The Mitzvah Measure. It is “[a] tape measure that contains measurements in accordance with Jewish Law such as tefachim, amot, minimum sizes for lulavim, etc.” I thought these measurements were hotly contested by the rabbonim;

Jewish Resources Are Getting Weirder and Weirder Read Post »

Lessons in Ahavas Yisrael: Tattoos in the Mikvah

(I’m not so bright, so I accidentally scheduled this for tomorrow’s date. Sorry!) A really nice story to start your day off right! I don’t think any story can really be classified as a “chassidic story” unless it involves a forest in The Old Country, a miraculous job offer, and someone who gets pregnant after

Lessons in Ahavas Yisrael: Tattoos in the Mikvah Read Post »

Dressing Awesomely and Modestly: The “Fresh off the Boat from Seminary” Look

Here is Tuesday’s awesome and modest look! Calhoun decided to photobomb me, looking for lovin’. The skirt is a black, floor-length (because I’m short) polyester/rayon blend and comes from from Nordstrom’s kids’ section. The t-shirt is from my Birthright trip to Israel, so it has the easily-spotted Birthright logo on the pocket area and a

Dressing Awesomely and Modestly: The “Fresh off the Boat from Seminary” Look Read Post »

Kitteh Joos No Can Haz Cheezburgers

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 »

Halacha in a Nutshell: What Is an Eruv?

Halacha in a Nutshell is a series that does not aim to actually teach you halacha. The goal is to acquaint you with the general ideas of a halachic issue so that you can follow conversations without looking like a total n00b. For many people, an eruv is an essential “feature” of any orthodox community.

Halacha in a Nutshell: What Is an Eruv? Read Post »

More Jewish pop culture videos!

More Jewish pop culture videos! Read Post »

Scroll to Top