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[jewishconvert]

[Image: Quote reading “A young man studying for conversion turned to his teacher and said, “But, Rabbi Kushner, Fitzpatrick isn’t a Jewish name.” To which Kushner replied, “It will be.”]

This is on the first page of Choosing a Jewish Life by Anita Diamant. It’s a quote that really resonated with me. I just finished reading this one today and definitely recommend it for anyone thinking about converting or their loved ones!

[jewishconvert]

Oh this sounds awesome! Adding it to my reading list!

I’m finishing the book “Here All Along” by Sarah Hurwitz right now, and I seriously recommend this book to any secular Jews or conversion-questioning Jews who are looking to get in touch with the basics of interpreting Judaism in a way that’s meaningful for people who are less about the patriarchal/punishing-gd and more about connecting to divinity in a Jewish way. If you’re looking for a book about how to practice Judaism/learning the basics of Jewish life, that has a beautiful narrative to it, this is it!

[jewishconvert]

sometimes i remember the first time i heard someone say that there is a school of thought that says converts have jewish souls and conversion is their soul returning home and i get misty eyed

[jewishconvert]

“I try to walk the road of Judaism. Embedded in that road there are many jewels. One is marked “Shabbat” and one “Civil Rights” and one “keeping Kosher” and one “Honor Your Parents” and one “Study of Torah” and one “You Shall be Holy.” There are at least 613 of them and they are of different shapes and sizes and weights. Some are light and easy for me to pick up, and I pick them up. Some are too deeply embossed for me, so far at least though I get a little stronger b trying to extricate the jewels as I walk the street. Some, perhaps, I shall never be able to pick up. I believe that God expects me to keep on walking Judaism Street and to carry away whatever I can of its commandments. I do not believe that God expects me to lift what I cannot, nor may I condemn my fellow Jew who may not be able to pick up even as much as I can.”

— Adapted from Rabbi Arnold Jacob Wolf, Mishkahn haNefesh for Rosh Hashanah, 159

[jewishconvert]

Solid advice.

sad?

try eating half a loaf of leftover challah, dipped in seasoned olive oil.

… you’ll still probably be sad, but at least your tastebuds will be happy and your stomach full

[jewishconvert]

Converts shouldn't have to feel like they have to hide their convert status in order to be accepted.

[jewishconvert]

I know it's a little late for this, and Sukkot is over (I am sad) but this year there were some misunderstandings among Gentiles around the joking phrase "shake a lemon at G-d" week to describe the holiday, specifically in interpreting the phrase to mean that this is some kind of aggressive act, that we are shaking the lemon in rage at G-d or something, so some people started saying it's "shake a lemon for G-d" week.

But I kind of feel that it is absolutely shake a lemon at G-d week, and that the energy we're looking for here is that of a kid shaking the drawing they just did at their teacher.

So I can't help but picture the Jewish community on Sukkot as a bunch of preschool kids crowding around their teacher going, "Mr. Hashem, Mr. Hashem, look at this awesome etrog I found!"

And Mr. Hashem is like, ":DDDDDD That is an awesome etrog, kiddo, let's go show it to the rest of the class, who are all hanging out in the blanket fort we built together!"

[jewishconvert]

[jewishconvert]

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION

Chol Hamoed Sukkot Torah Reading

This part of the Torah is read on the Shabbat that falls during the intermediate days of Sukkot. Moses, back on Mount Sinai after smashing the first set of tablets, appears to have a moment of spiritual crisis and asks to see God.  Told that he cannot see God and live, Moses is then instructed to take shelter in the cleft of a rock, protected by God’s “hand.” God then passes before Moses.

It is interesting to contemplate the possible association of the sukkah, Moses’ shelter, and God’s “sheltering” presence while reading the Sukkot portion.

33:12.     Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Lead this people forward,’ but You have not made known to me whom You will send with me. Further, You have said, ‘I have singled you out by name, and you have, indeed, gained My favor.’

33:13.     Now, if I have truly gained Your favor, pray let me know Your ways, that I may know You and continue in Your favor. Consider, too, that this nation is Your people.”

33:14.     And He said, “I will go in the lead and will lighten your burden.”

33:15.     And he said to Him, “Unless You go in the lead, do not make us leave this place.

33:16.     For how shall it be known that Your people have gained Your favor unless You go with us, so that we may be distinguished, Your people and I, from every people on the face of the earth?”

More: Here

[jewishconvert]

Shabbat Shalom, everyone!  שבת שלום!

May you have a peaceful and blessed Shabbat!

[jewishconvert]

“To be a Jew is to take the risk of believing that the evils of this world are not inevitable or irremediable; that we can mend some of the fractures of humanity; that we, by loving others as God loves us, can bring the Shekhina into our lives, turning a little of the pride of the human condition into poetry and song.”

— The Koren Machzor Yamim Nora’im, Rohr Family Addition. Commentary on Ne’ila, page 1393.

[jewishconvert]

“The Rabbis noted that among the four species, the etrog has fragrance and taste, the lulav has taste but no fragrance, the myrtle has fragrance but no taste, and the aravot have neither fragrance nor taste. Say the Rabbis: Taste represents knowledge, and fragrance represents good deeds. Symbolically, the four species represent four kinds of Jews. Some know the tradition and do good deeds; some know but do not do enough; some do enough but do not know enough; some have neither knowledge nor good deeds. To fulfill the mitzvah, all four species must be waved together. This means that all Jews are united in destiny and all Jews are needed, even those who neither know nor do.”

— Rabbi Irving Greenberg

The Jewish Way: Living the Holidays. Page 108.

[jewishconvert]

Sukkot by Alona Frankel

[jewishconvert]

✅ shaking a lemon @ G-d

[jewishconvert]

Tisha B'Av - The Ninth of Av

What Happened on the Ninth of Av?

On Tisha B'Av, five national calamities occurred:

During the time of Moses, Jews in the desert accepted the slanderous report of the 10 Spies, and the decree was issued forbidding them from entering the Land of Israel. (1312 BCE)

The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. 100,000 Jews were slaughtered and millions more exiled. (586 BCE)

The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus. Some two million Jews died, and another one million were exiled. (70 CE)

The Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by Roman Emperor Hadrian. The city of Betar – the Jews’ last stand against the Romans – was captured and liquidated. Over 100,000 Jews were slaughtered. (135 CE)

The Temple area and its surroundings were plowed under by the Roman general Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city – renamed Aelia Capitolina – and access was forbidden to Jews.

Other grave misfortunes throughout Jewish history occurred on the Ninth of Av, including:

The Spanish Inquisition culminated with the expulsion of Jews from Spain on Tisha B'Av in 1492.

World War One broke out on the eve of Tisha B'Av in 1914 when Germany declared war on Russia. German resentment from the war set the stage for the Holocaust.

On the eve of Tisha B'Av 1942, the mass deportation began of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.

Aspects of Mourning: The Afternoon Before Tisha B'Av

During the afternoon prior to Tisha B'Av, it is customary to eat a full meal in preparation for the fast.

At the end of the afternoon, we eat the Seudah Hamaf-seket – a meal consisting only of bread, water, and a hard-boiled egg.

The egg has two symbols: The round shape reminds us of a sign of the cycle of life. Also, the egg is the only food which gets harder the more it is cooked – a symbol of the Jewish people’s ability to withstand persecution.

Food eaten at the Seudah Hamaf-seket is dipped in ashes, symbolic of mourning. The meal should preferably be eaten alone, while seated on the ground in mourner’s fashion.

When the afternoon prior to Tisha B'Av occurs on Shabbat, there is no Seudah Hamaf-seket with eggs and ashes. Rather, the regular Shabbat “third meal” is eaten, albeit without guests and fanfare.

Restrictions on Tisha B'Av

Upon sundown, the laws of Tisha B'Av commence – consisting of the following expressions of mourning:

1. No eating or drinking until nightfall the following evening.

Pregnant and nursing women are also required to fast. If one suspects it could be harmful to the baby or mother, a rabbi should be consulted.

A woman within 30 days after birth need not fast.

Others who are old, weak, or ill should consult with a rabbi. (MB 554:11)

Medicine may be taken on Tisha B'Av, preferably without water.

In case of great discomfort, the mouth may be rinsed with water. Great care should be taken not to swallow anything. (MB 567:11)

2. Other prohibitions include:

Any bathing or washing, except for removing specific dirt – e.g. gook in the eyes (OC 554:9, 11). (Upon rising in the morning, before prayers, or after using the bathroom, one washes only the fingers. See OC 554:10, OC 613:3, MB 554:26)

Anointing oneself for pleasure. (Deodorant is permitted.)

Having marital relations.

Wearing leather shoes. (Leather belts may be worn.)(see: Laws of Shoes and Chairs)

Learning Torah, since this is a joyful activity. It is permitted to learn texts relevant to Tisha B'Av and mourning – e.g. the Book of Lamentations, Book of Job, parts of Tractate Moed Katan, Gittin 56-58, Sanhedrin 104, Yerushalmi end of Ta'anis, and the Laws of Mourning. In-depth study should be avoided. (MB 554:4)

3. Other mourning practices include:

Sitting no higher than a foot off the ground. After midday, one may sit on a chair. (OC 559:3)(see: Laws of Shoes and Chairs)

Not engaging in business or other distracting labors, unless it will result in a substantial loss. (OC 554:23)

Refraining from greeting others or offering gifts. (OC 554:20)

Avoiding idle chatter or leisure activities.

4. Following Tisha B'Av, all normal activities may be resumed, except for the following which are delayed until midday of the 10th of Av, because the burning of the Temple continued through the 10th of Av:

Haircuts and washing clothes. (When Tisha B'Av falls out on Thursday, these are permitted immediately following Tisha B'Av, in honor of the coming Shabbat.)

Bathing. (When Tisha B'Av falls out on Thursday, bathing is permitted on Friday morning.)

Eating meat and wine.

Music and swimming.

Prayer on Tisha B'Av

Lights in the synagogue are dimmed, candles are lit, and the curtain is removed from the Ark. The cantor leads the prayers in a low, mournful voice. This reminds us of the Divine Presence which departed from the Holy Temple.

The Book of Eicha (Lamentations), Jeremiah’s poetic lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple, is read both at night and during the day.

Following both the night and day service, special “Kinot” (elegies) are recited.

In the morning, the Torah portion of Deuteronomy 4:25-40 is read, containing the prophecy regarding Israel’s future iniquity and exile. This is followed by the Haftorah from Jeremiah (8:13, 9:1-23) describing the desolation of Zion.

In the afternoon, Exodus 32:11-14 is read. This is followed by the Haftorah from Isaiah 55-56.

Since Tallis and Tefillin represent glory and decoration, they are not worn at Shacharit. Rather, they are worn at Mincha, as certain mourning restrictions are lifted.

Birkat Kohanim is said only at Mincha, not at Shacharit.

Prayers for comforting Zion and “Aneinu” are inserted into the Amidah prayer at Mincha.

Shortly after the fast is broken, it is customary to say Kiddush Lavana.

When Tisha B'Av Falls on Shabbat

For a full treatment of this topic, see: When Tisha B'Av falls on Shabbat or Sunday.Here is a brief overview of the special conditions that apply:

The fast is pushed off until Saturday night/Sunday.

All other prohibitions of Tisha B'Av (washing, learning Torah, leather shoes, etc.) are permitted on Shabbat itself, except for marital relations. (Of course, regular Shabbat restrictions apply, such as anointing with cream and showering.)

Seudah Shlishit has none of the restrictions of Seudah Hamaf-seket, and may include meat and wine. However, the mood should be somber, should not include invited guests, and eating must stop before sundown.

Ma'ariv on Saturday night is delayed, so that everyone can say “Boruch Hamavdil bein kodesh li'chol,” then remove their leather shoes and come to synagogue.

Havdallah on Saturday night is recited only over a candle, without wine or spices. On Sunday night, Havdallah is then said over wine.

Regarding the various prohibitions, some are lifted immediately upon completion of the fast (e.g. bathing, laundry and haircuts), while others remain prohibited until the following morning (meat, wine and music).

with thanks to Rabbi Moshe Lazerus

[jewishconvert]

"Someone once asked how it is possible to establish a connection between man and the Master of the Universe. The answer was that man must take the first step. In order for there to be a connection between man and the Master of the Universe, there must first be an opening, a passageway, even a passageway as small as the eye of a needle. But man must make the opening by himself; man must take the beginning step. Then the Master of the Universe will move in, as it were, and widen the passageway."

-- My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

[jewishconvert]

This has helped me a lot! Before you just jump into a bracha or a prayer, just stop and take a moment and prepare your body, mind and soul to be open to receiving HaShem and all of his blessings!