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Halachic Discussion: Kosher Animals

There’s a common argument that I’ve always found interesting: that the Torah names ten species of kosher land animals, and that no other animals have ever been discovered to display the two signs of a kosher species. (The signs are that the animal chews its cud and has a split hoof.) Also impressive is that […]

A Milestone: 100 Blog Posts!

It seems like I started this blog yesterday! Yet here we are, 100 blog posts in! I hope you’ve all enjoyed my blog as much as I’ve enjoyed writing for you! I hope you’ve found it comforting, funny, and useful. After all, conversion/becoming observant shouldn’t be as soul-crushing and humorless as some people would like […]

The Lingering Effects of Chanukah

I wrote before that I didn’t “get” Chanukah (Shabbat Shalom! The Chanukah Edition). Well, I didn’t expect to be proven wrong so quickly! Somehow, I internalized Chanukah without even realizing it. How did I figure this out? I saw a LOT of TV on New Year’s and the week leading up to it. My family […]

Planning Your Tzedakah/Charity for the 2011 Tax Year

It’s that time of year! The new tax year! Yay! (Spoken like a true tax law student!) Jews are encouraged to plan their tzedakah for the year during the 10 Days of Repentance between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. (Tzedakah is usually translated to English as “charity,” but the two concepts have a completely different […]

Management Update: No More Posts on Sundays

I think the title just about sums it up. Regular posts will now be Monday-Friday, with random posts added as they come up!

Halachic Discussion: Moshiach

I was driving again (See Halachic Discussion: Are Female Converts “Not Niddah” After the Mikvah? ), and had more “what if?” kinds of thoughts, but this time about Moshiach. I was thinking about the phrase “Moshiach ben David.” As most of you know, Moshiach will be the descendant of King David (and the first convert, […]

UPDATED Convert Questions: What Is the Ideal Conversion Process?

Disclaimer: This is my idea of the ideal process. Others may feel differently. Regardless, no matter which advice you take, most converts wait far too long to begin getting involved in their local orthodox community and with the prospective beit din out of shyness and/or fear. What should the orthodox conversion process look like? What […]

Feminism or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Mechitza

I personally love the mechitza. (Within limits: so long as I can hear the service and can see the Torah reading.) For those of you who are unfamiliar with the mechitza, it is a separation between the genders in orthodox (or some conservadox – conservative leaning towards orthodox – services). It is usually very pretty, […]

Kashrut Update: The OU Has Launched Their Kosher Food Website!

The OU (Orthodox Union) is the largest kosher certification agency in America. I think I’ve trained my parents well enough now that they can spot the OU from 20ft away in the grocery store! The search function is incredible! Finding the kosher ingredient you want just got a lot easier! OUKosher.org First order of business? […]

Orthodoxy and Eating Disorders: Kosher Discipline to the Extreme

As someone new to full Jewish observance, I can tell you that the #1 practical lesson you learn from observance is discipline. This is also probably the hardest for people to learn, especially for us spoiled Americans! We take pride in not being “tied down” by rules, people, whatever. (Leaving aside the argument that we […]