On motzei Shabbos, Ashkenazim (and Chabad) began their series of the penitential prayers known as selichot. Sephardim started saying slichot at the beginning of this month, Elul. As Rosh HaShanah starts on Wednesday night, try to make the effort to rise early and go to synagogue so that you can recite slichot with the congregation. […]
Adventures in Semantics: The Thirteen Attributes of Hashem’s Mercy Read Post »
If you don’t know the word shuckle, you probably still know what it is! In fact, if you have been davening with an orthodox congregation for at least a few months, you probably already do it. Shuckling is a swaying and/or rocking movement Jews tend to do while praying. It apparently comes from the Yiddish
Word of the Day: Shuckle 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 »
Bentch is a very commonly-used term, but it can be hard for people to understand since it sounds exactly like the English word “bench.” So today, we’re gonna bentch licht, bentch gomel, and bentch after dinner! Bentch (pronounced like and sometimes written as “bench”) is the Yiddish word for “pray.” It’s a verb. “Bentching”
What Does “Bentch” Mean in Jewish Life? Read Post »
Bentching gomel is a special prayer that allows you to thank Hashem for delivering you from danger. (Imagine being at a football game…”Go, Mel!” It doesn’t rhyme with camel.) You must have actually been in danger. Close to danger isn’t enough. You have defied death, so now you should thank Hashem in public during the Torah
Phrase of the Day: Bentching Gomel Read Post »
I had the pleasure to hear a shiur this week about a subject I had just put on the “to blog about” list just last week! “Why is Tehillim the first resort when something happens?” As you may or may not have figured out, when something goes wrong, the first thing Jews do is organize
Why Is Tehillim Our First Line of Defense? Read Post »
As a female who still has plenty to learn, I understand that my male readers get somewhat shortchanged because I don’t have experience with some things that concern them. Thanks to a generous offer for a guest post, today you get to read some practical information about tzitzit and tallitot! Women, keep in mind that
Guest Post: The Practical Guide to Tzitzit and Talleisim Read Post »
Since it’s the first day back, I’m throwing a softball. What’s your favorite mitzvah? When all’s said and done, I would say avoiding embarrassing other people. I try to put a lot of effort into that. What do I look forward to improving? Kashrut. Only because I want to be an awesome host one day.
Discussion: Your Favorite Mitzvah Read Post »
Quite honestly, you’re probably going to look like a nutter whatever you do. But that’s ok. You can minimize your public nuttiness with a few tips. This topic always makes me think of plane trips, so perhaps this colors my discussion. Feel free to add your tips in the comments! First, seek a private location,
How to Daven in Public Without Looking Like a Nutter Read Post »
Some people might think this is a downer of a Shabbat shalom post, but it was certainly liberating for me! Quite simply, other people’s problems are just that: other people’s problems. I don’t worry about people who don’t follow halacha (or follow it differently) or judge me as a convert or any of that other
Shabbat Shalom! What to Do When People Are Crazy Read Post »