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Today is Tu B’Av

Today is Tu B’Av, the 15th of Av. Tu B’Av is not the most well-known holiday, putting it lightly. The Shulchan Aruch doesn’t even mention its history or customs except for the adjustments to the daily prayers for a holiday. On the other hand, the Talmud considers this the most important festival of the year, […]

My Narrow, Unsympathetic Point of View

Today, I’d like to take a minute to discuss something that I believe is important to clarify. From a comment: “There is a lot of pain involved with conversion for many people, but I’ve noticed time and again that you don’t seem to see this. Human feelings and embarrassment and dignity are a PART of halacha… I’ve read a […]

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. […]

Adventures in Semantics: Shailah and Machlokes

Sometimes it feels as though every shailah ends in a machlokes. A shailah is a question requesting a religious ruling. You are usually asking your own LOR (local orthodox rabbi). Here are some examples:  Do I need to kasher a can opener? And if so, how? Can I scoop cat litter on Shabbat? Probably not, so […]

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Today is Tisha B’Av

No official post today, as it is a holiday. Call your mom. Love your neighbor. Love your enemy.

The Destruction of the Beis HaMikdash Continues Today

Starting tonight through Wednesday morning, we mourn the destruction of our Temples. As some basic Jewish education, what caused the destruction of the First and Second Temples? There’s the “easy” response:  The First was destroyed by the Babylonians. The Second by the Romans. However, the Sages in the Talmud have an additional explanation, in order […]

Tisha B’Av in a Nutshell

This year, Tisha B’Av is sunset of August 8, 2011, until sunset of August 9.  Tisha B’Av is a 25 hour fast day (sunset to sunset), but there are other prohibitions on Tisha B’Av that also apply to Yom Kippur: No washing No bathing No shaving No wearing cosmetics No brushing your teeth. Eww. No […]

Rabbi Speaks Out Against Geirus l’Chumrahs

Question: What is the status of the ‘extra’ conversion immersion [tevila leHumra] demanded by some Orthodox rabbis?  You may know this as geirus l’chumrah. A geirus l’chumrah is when a convert (already converted) is required to undergo a “new” conversion because of doubt about a prior conversion. Sometimes this is necessary. That’s why it exists. You […]

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 […]