Building a Jewish Life

You probably remember that we added “mashiv ha-ru’ah u-morid ha-geshem” (“cause the wind to blow and the rain to fall”) to the second blessing of the Amidah back on Shemini Atzeret.  But did you remember to add the other prayer for rain last week? I apologize; I would have reminded you, but my computer’s been in the […]

Yep! No yom tov restrictions on Hannukah. Chanukah 2014 starts on the evening of Tuesday, December 16, and ends on Wednesday, December 24. It’s a rabbinic holiday that came later in our history, so there can’t be a prohibition on work. You can fry food, go to the office for a full day’s work, turn […]

You can find the latest Orthodox Women Talk roundtable over at This Way to Eden. The question for today is… Reader writes: I‘d love to hear something regarding your favorite way to infuse your lives with Judaism. (Kosher food, Tznius, Shabbat…etc..) Not surprisingly, I seem to be the person way out in left field on […]

In the wake of the Freundel scandal, the Rabbinical Council of America announced several measures it will take, including appointing a female ombudsman (or group of ombudsmen) to be available for complaints from female conversion candidates. Honestly, I was surprised. It’s a great idea, and I’m glad they came to this realization even before the recommendation panel […]

I just got word that I’ll be a replacement guest on the first episode of Rabbi Eliyahu Fink’s new radio show! Please pray for me that I avoid an attack of my Foot in Mouth Disease. Join us at 1pm Eastern time or you can listen to the archived version later! Listen at http://nachumsegal.com/ The topic […]

I have not been as vocal as I should have been about the conversion/exploitation of women balagan lately. I can blame starting my own law firm, and that’s part of it, but it’s all so complex, and I didn’t know what I could add to the conversation. A fire has finally been lit under me, […]

I know, you’ve already mastered all the smooth moves you need for a Jewish event: you can dance in a circle both clockwise and counterclockwise! But maybe you want to switch it up, or maybe the dance circle is moving too painfully slow and you’re tired of stepping on other people’s toes. Or maybe you […]

Just passing this along as an FYI. Steven Weiss of The Jewish Channel is looking to talk to people who converted under Rabbi Freundel in DC. If you’re not already aware, Freundel has been arrested on charges of voyeurism related to an alleged camera in the mikvah. The most detailed story I’ve seen is in […]

When you start corresponding with a beit din (whether to ask for an application or after submitting your application), you will generally be talking to the Av Beit Din. So what is he and what does he do? Av Beit Din translates roughly as head of the beit din. Av generally means father.  Depending on […]

Unfortunately, this “problem” is already over for this year, but I want to address it now in case someone thinks it applies to all of chag. And of course, it’ll be here, ready for you as a reminder before Sukkot of 2015. Owning the Lulav Set On the first day(s) of chag, you must “own” […]