tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12432569449563511872024-03-05T02:43:49.969-05:00A Jewish MinuteBeing Jewish is a Journey, Not a DestinationUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-82586562637273398692022-11-08T15:14:00.000-05:002022-11-08T15:14:11.328-05:00It's All About the Small Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVui_7An8sorI-DfiuNQ0prVPZ_qHZ7AaecZxxG0my_Mv2N62ltHafTgRU1F6l6YnnGb9AEHj2HkENjV1GQhLkUBt6wGR7y-EVZeF13XeRN5WW_mrkahlCqOlsfRpNqf45kJivLNuOM0LEqQ58YjUxQY5QKs0v7rxMaK5el4zcehnfS25lGC0ODX2X/s2048/highholidaysimage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1770" data-original-width="2048" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVui_7An8sorI-DfiuNQ0prVPZ_qHZ7AaecZxxG0my_Mv2N62ltHafTgRU1F6l6YnnGb9AEHj2HkENjV1GQhLkUBt6wGR7y-EVZeF13XeRN5WW_mrkahlCqOlsfRpNqf45kJivLNuOM0LEqQ58YjUxQY5QKs0v7rxMaK5el4zcehnfS25lGC0ODX2X/s320/highholidaysimage.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season... meaning Rosh HaShana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. I find the month of Tishrei to be a sprint and a marathon all rolled up into one. Every week is a new holiday, and we try to find personal meaning in all of them while running through them at full speed. One moment you're prepping Rosh HaShana, the next it seems, you're building a sukkah!</p><p>The following month is Cheshvan, otherwise known as MarCheshvan - the "mar" meaning bitter since there are no holidays to bring us closer to HaShem - and that's true, there are no specific holidays that push that closeness (except Shabbat) - however, this is also a special month in its own way. Cheshvan is the time where we take that 'forced' closeness and make it our responsibility. </p><p>Around Rosh HaShana time we like to have New Year's Resolutions - what we'll do better for the coming year - and by the time we blink we've set those resolutions aside as unrealistic and we don't even bother trying. To be honest, I do the same.</p><p>Over the last few days, I was looking at a "Goals" workbook (I bought it last year) and I thought I might give it a chance. It started with asking what my dream life would be. I'm not good at these things so I thought about where I'm at today - things I feel good about and things I thought I could do better... I was then able to figure out where I wanted to be in general and more specifically. Then the workbook asked: what small things could you do to head you in the right direction toward your goals. I then realized that it's not the big stuff that moves you along to your goals, but the small choices and small things you do that get you there.</p><p>It reminded me of 25 years ago when I was about to leave Israel, after learning about all the Jewish things I didn't know (and there's even more to know!), when my Rabbi told us to make sure to spend five minutes learning every day. At the time I couldn't imagine only spending five minutes a day when at the time I was spending my entire day learning! After returning to everyday life and a fast reality check, my Rabbi was absolutely correct - 5 minutes a day is your anchor to your soul and the meaning of life. </p><p>Five minutes, of course, is just the beginning - but it is a beginning to moving in the right direction of bringing HaShem closer to us in our lives. Tishrei is 'forced' closeness - it's a way of HaShem showing us what it could be like to spend our time <u>with</u> Judaism in the forefront of our consciousness, instead of fitting our Judaism into our already busy lives... and here we are in Cheshvan... it's time for the effort to come from us - what habits are we going to create that only takes a few minutes a day but gets us closer to our Creator?</p><p>Start small and before you know it you'll be on your way. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-70280323970216909442022-07-29T01:05:00.002-04:002022-08-01T23:19:07.596-04:00"Kinda Awesome"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsS0xYGySa3uRmDQZgGdAISdrrhwY24Og3NiFCX3DOKUvGdsOStlupP7rSCV8Nz1NiZ8y9jcLJ97X8GiS-fpgqufYBYhc3ANAbbBt9uC82ieAECQ0WO2nRLp6iozG1qsf2Edwu1bB6ZYvpgmSvgXUXWb8rC_yngIT8RX9YRjXMr_cGevUnWa3_das/s3264/IMG_1487.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsS0xYGySa3uRmDQZgGdAISdrrhwY24Og3NiFCX3DOKUvGdsOStlupP7rSCV8Nz1NiZ8y9jcLJ97X8GiS-fpgqufYBYhc3ANAbbBt9uC82ieAECQ0WO2nRLp6iozG1qsf2Edwu1bB6ZYvpgmSvgXUXWb8rC_yngIT8RX9YRjXMr_cGevUnWa3_das/s320/IMG_1487.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>So... this summer I've begun embracing my inner crafter, which dovetails nicely with Mommy Camp. I picked up a small side table off of Facebook Marketplace (a rabbit hole of possibilities) and have been working on repainting it and jazzing it up a bit. (You can see the beginnings of this project in the photograph above.) I was painting it on my front stoop while watching my kids ride their bikes up and down the sidewalk. Yaakov took a break for a moment and on his way into the house complimented my work as "kinda awesome". Those two unsolicited words - that compliment went straight from his mouth to my heart. I still hear those words now as I type them.</p><p>Tonight is Rosh Chodesh Av, beginning the 9 days leading us to our national day of mourning, Tisha b'Av- we are mourning for our Holy Temples, mourning for all the horrible events of our history and most of all mourning our lack of connection with G-d. </p><p>Sometimes it's hard to mourn something we do not understand - like the destruction of the Holy Temples and what they meant in Jewish life... but we can understand how it's possible to see why they were destroyed. Our Rabbis teach us that they were destroyed because of 'sinat chinam' - baseless hatred. What a strange concept in some ways - how could one person hate another person without reason? I would point to social media to help us understand... tolerance for someone else's ideas is at a minimum... commenting using words that would never be used in real life to someone's actual face happens all the time... hurling and accusing others of horrible things are common place. 'Sinat chinam' is a "normal" occurrence on social media.</p><p>The Holy Temple - the singular focus of all Jews could no longer stand as a symbol of unity when 'sinat chinam' (baseless hatred) ran rampant - so G-d destroyed it. </p><p>We learn that every generation that is unable to rebuilt the Temple is just like the generation that destroyed it. In other words, the terrible situation of 'sinat chinam', of baseless hatred, still exists. We have to take this sinat chinam and flip it on it's head and create a situation of 'ahavat chinam' - baseless love. We have to love each other without wondering what is in it for us. What will we gain by showing love for another person? That is the wrong attitude - we love because the person in front of us is a Creation by our Creator. G-d loves them just as much as G-d loves us. "Love your neighbor as yourself". We don't love ourselves for particular reasons... just as much as we don't shouldn't need a reason to love our neighbor.</p><p>So what's the first step? I would say the first step to creating 'ahavat chinam' - baseless love, is to give compliments freely. When my son Yaakov said two words "kinda awesome" about my creative endeavor, he created a connection with me that wasn't there before. He gave me a good feeling. Love is created by giving to another person, not by taking.</p><p>Here we are at the beginning of the 9 days leading to Tisha b'Av - let's spend our time during these days handing out compliments to family, friends and strangers for no reason other that to make that other person feel good. G-d willing, perhaps Tisha b'Av this year will be a joyous holiday instead of a day of mourning. Please G-d.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-17718981172912655312022-07-28T00:33:00.002-04:002022-07-28T00:35:31.557-04:00It's Thursday! Almost Shabbat!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEfK3_RCjXyMyJs_VclKK1oyAiuWhndFmDk5sl47FiGX_5W9SahY0EzCDtM5YUal3hA1xyb6TjldZ6Dym1RSWQh6rXhGhqa8yP0iiuQrlN2axCt2QGWlKF1fCfQBB0zy4AAQ1NHRdEoiPymtzMNsUx2E1AFxhFIJGDH5Zjag1RthJ86n69dtV81sD/s3264/IMG_1489.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEfK3_RCjXyMyJs_VclKK1oyAiuWhndFmDk5sl47FiGX_5W9SahY0EzCDtM5YUal3hA1xyb6TjldZ6Dym1RSWQh6rXhGhqa8yP0iiuQrlN2axCt2QGWlKF1fCfQBB0zy4AAQ1NHRdEoiPymtzMNsUx2E1AFxhFIJGDH5Zjag1RthJ86n69dtV81sD/s320/IMG_1489.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Okay, it's officially Thursday, but really it's 12:13am on Wednesday night.</p><p>You turn around and it's the end of the week. Crazy! What that also means is that Shabbat is coming. It's the only day we have to breathe a bit and to just 'be'. This is the day that HaShem wants us to 'just enjoy the day.' We do not work, we do not create - we just enjoy the results of what we have put our energy into the whole week. </p><p>This doesn't just happen. We have to prep for our day to just 'be'. We buy or cook special foods in advance that we can actually take the time to appreciate eating on our special day of Shabbat. </p><p>There's the lighting of the Shabbat candles - making time Holy. There's Kiddush and Challah - making our eating of the meals Holy. It's the singing and the giving thanks to the One and Only Creator. It's a special time.</p><p>At our house we have a Shabbos Party. In some houses it's called the 3rd meal of Shabbat. We make sure to have the kid's favorite foods and drinks. In advance, a couple of the children prepare a dvar Torah (words of Torah - might just be three sentences) that they give over at the Shabbos Party. It's pretty exciting for them to be the focus of attention.</p><p>[The book that they prepare their dvar Torahs from is published by Tzivos HaShem, called <i>Living Jewish: A Handbook for Life</i>, and I have a photo of it above. The book is so well done that I love looking through it myself and recommend it to everyone - children and adults!]</p><p>Here's a <a href="https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/633659/jewish/What-Is-Shabbat.htm" target="_blank">great article about Shabbat and how important it is in a Jewish person's life.</a></p><p>Shabbat Shalom!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-23136115210818415952022-07-26T00:30:00.005-04:002022-07-28T00:11:54.296-04:00Time Flies, Life Changes -Random Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquei8_5fcHbUmDNa2i5sBDGr8_umh9kwPEQtMe-1rlhxkEk-b3xEKifje_I93NolG-lV1kugFLx5WthcnujRjBkmWhQIIKgu2F4HXKx09XHpxZO-B22sxoZW3QXf7OpJB_4GnYLd1eelz4b-bYcpRTMMdzBgb_pRWTulzZ0pnK5lUxZCJJNhyQlZO/s1350/IMG_0736.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquei8_5fcHbUmDNa2i5sBDGr8_umh9kwPEQtMe-1rlhxkEk-b3xEKifje_I93NolG-lV1kugFLx5WthcnujRjBkmWhQIIKgu2F4HXKx09XHpxZO-B22sxoZW3QXf7OpJB_4GnYLd1eelz4b-bYcpRTMMdzBgb_pRWTulzZ0pnK5lUxZCJJNhyQlZO/s320/IMG_0736.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>It's more than three months since I last wrote, and life has changed. Wow. Looking over my last post from the beginning of April, I could never have imagined.</p><p>Pesach was successful - aka we put away our Chametz, pulled out the Passover paraphernalia, and actually returned it all to it's hiding place when we were done with the holiday. </p><p>My father passed away May 23rd. (Ran back for the funeral with my two youngest and had the most exhausting shiva ever - but ever grateful to friends and family who were able to stop by and those who contacted me in other ways.) There's never a good time to go - but I know that he had a good life, thank Gd.</p><p>The school year ended, phew. It was a doozy... but at least it wasn't on Zoom (aargh!)</p><p>And now we're doing "Mommy Camp", no joke, we have the t-shirts to prove it.</p><p>In other words, I'm cooked. I'm tired. But I'm not so cooked, and not so tired to appreciate what I have. I have been waiting for this summer for two years! Covid summers are borrrrrrring. So finally, we are here and we're going to take full advantage of it.</p><p>Life is crazy, and there are parts I *really* would NOT miss not being a part of ie. funerals and shivas. And honestly, I hate going to these things, I'm more of a wreck than the person at the funeral/shiva - so unfortunately, I'm not so great at going, so I have to shout out and thank those who came to be there with me and my family.</p><p>So while we can't do much about the parts of life we could do without, we need to focus on the parts that we can "control". We are running Mommy Camp - mornings are for running around, we return to the house around noon, for the 2 year old's nap time and serving lunch - and for the downtime where the kids enjoy their computer time for coding and games. Then in the afternoon we try to get some art project done - or our new hobby (hopefully)... woodworking!!! (I just got hammers, nails, saw and a drill!) Haha!!!</p><p>Life is quite the roller coaster - ups and downs and not much "control". But HaShem trusts us to learn and grow from each turn on that roller coaster... and we should learn to trust ourselves too.</p><p>Hope you are all enjoying your summer! </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-18040957005191913722022-04-06T14:36:00.004-04:002022-04-06T14:42:00.638-04:00A Worthwhile Podcast to Follow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLA9UtZBH4nqPppfrASVgjTbEZuIvl2bDOlkbXZrEL3QhtyLHugKxQ05F9sEbgeEsCCEjgjwXoz6wCARcmMYUOVCxBGlZlbjfPKom4uBVBvxVCX2ESDxY0iUZmn25dB8R9CvKr2mMrl6HpuTu4KlSrzIx2W9FAhp6ZcHggnXD4e_eM5KOOarP_xqU8/s512/tehillim-generic.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="512" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLA9UtZBH4nqPppfrASVgjTbEZuIvl2bDOlkbXZrEL3QhtyLHugKxQ05F9sEbgeEsCCEjgjwXoz6wCARcmMYUOVCxBGlZlbjfPKom4uBVBvxVCX2ESDxY0iUZmn25dB8R9CvKr2mMrl6HpuTu4KlSrzIx2W9FAhp6ZcHggnXD4e_eM5KOOarP_xqU8/s320/tehillim-generic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>You must check this podcast out.</p><p>I do not say this lightly. Nisa Harris has created a podcast named Shomea V'Oneh - reading a chapter of Tehillim/Psalms - then follows it with a short explanation of that chapter. </p><p><a href="https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/6242/jewish/Psalms-Tehillim.htm" target="_blank">Tehillim</a> is something special. They are prayers written and compiled by King David. It is incredible that we have something so amazing available to us. Some of those prayers are praising and thanking Gd, and some are ones we say when we are in need of help on a personal or national level. Every Jew should have this book on their shelf on home, alongside a Chumash (the 5 Books of Moses), and a Tzedukah box.</p><p><a href="https://thelayersprojectmagazine.com/shomea-voneh/" target="_blank">Click here to read her piece in The Layers Project Magazine</a>. I sincerely recommend reading this article written by Ms. Harris and following her podcast. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-46365707591452895232022-04-05T13:58:00.004-04:002022-04-06T14:16:21.155-04:00Dirt is not Chametz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegv1_XCI6JGBv5lwhRGGhwY-BwdwrPLait5fQuMJ1S59o-vempUBb_iX4oZux2Ah2loHhxre9iqA6W_1-k8M_JBoQy5nm1qed1NiPL0DE298BCnHccg9LQcECIJOiZjoH60tr0NugotRvzIAGEvM0V3TYN3WXe_qP-5jx5lC5bwQlZl15CEgf8nvK/s1024/clean%20up.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="910" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegv1_XCI6JGBv5lwhRGGhwY-BwdwrPLait5fQuMJ1S59o-vempUBb_iX4oZux2Ah2loHhxre9iqA6W_1-k8M_JBoQy5nm1qed1NiPL0DE298BCnHccg9LQcECIJOiZjoH60tr0NugotRvzIAGEvM0V3TYN3WXe_qP-5jx5lC5bwQlZl15CEgf8nvK/s320/clean%20up.jpeg" width="284" /></a></div><br /><p>Hi everyone! I hope everybody had a wonderful and enjoyable Purim.</p><p>...and surprise, about four weeks later we find ourselves at the Seder table for Passover. It's really quite incredible. Get rid of that Purim candy! Someone suggested on Facebook that we should be giving Kosher for Passover candy at Purim time so we don't have to stress about getting rid of it so quickly. It's clever, but I'm pretty sure that idea will not go mainstream anytime soon.</p><p>So, not to stress anyone, the first Seder is a week from this Friday night. Believe it or not, this shouldn't be a big deal on the "cleaning" front. The magic mantra that you need to start repeating to yourself is, "Dirt is not Chametz."</p><p>I'll tell you a quick story. Many years ago, I did not know what I needed to clean for Pesach. Seriously. When I heard the expression, "time to clean for Pesach", I thought we needed to actually clean the house for Pesach - dirt and all. This is very stressful for someone when their house would generally fall on the cluttered side of living. An understatement of that would be... it was hard.</p><p>I ended up going to Israel some years later to study more about my Judaism and one of the most important ideas I heard there regarding Pesach was that dirt isn't Chametz. Chametz is leavened bread - in other words, food made with flour... bread, cake, cookies... you get the idea. </p><p>What should we practically take away from this? Where don't you eat? The bathroom! See, that was easy, knock that off the list. The bedrooms? Just vacuum and make sure there's no sandwich hiding under your blanket. In my house, the basement is a food no-go zone, I'm very strict about that since it's virtually impossible to get it clean (in other words, it's a toy filled area - try not to kill yourself there). </p><p>Think about what you can cross off your Pesach Chometz cleaning list before you start. It'll make your life soooo much easier! If you eat in front of the television, that room will need to be cleaned - vacuum under the couch pillows (maybe you'll find some treasures!) and clean the floor. The kitchen obviously, will be your focus. Self-cleaning ovens are Gd's gift to mankind (along with whiskey and coffee) and you'll end up with dealing with stove tops/fridges/floors. Truthfully, it's not terrible.</p><p>If you need more information - I am not a rabbi and do not play one on TV - please check <a href="https://aish.com/passover/" target="_blank">Aish</a> and <a href="https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/jewish/Passover.htm" target="_blank">Chabad</a>. They are the main two websites I depend on.</p><p>Please remember that the goal is not to drive yourself crazy before Pesach. G-d wants you to come to the Seder and actually enjoy yourself. I know that this runs counter to all the Jewish mother jokes out there - but we are not supposed to hate Passover preparations - or Passover. Holidays, or Holy Days are there in order to help us connect us to our Creator and remind us of all that's been done on our behalf over the last 3300 years. </p><p>Wishing everyone a Wonderful and Enjoyable Passover/Pesach.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-86124606214851804632022-01-09T00:31:00.004-05:002022-01-09T00:34:07.502-05:00Life is a Choose Your Own Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCjzgYgKiqi6I1tJHvkuPhrcTFQkHRGiAIObDKrBIAy7LzNw4WvLYWCfN2Gk1VDkQHZTSGTFXgyH1Uhh_LQcWLR1cQS9LCFTU94wFrL_4c467wqkbn3QspVwewXoZQym-KOh8PbcfsPdstmu0PFH-dn34NH04LATtgkoxF1ik0cjLPooI8FPZocVMT=s484" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCjzgYgKiqi6I1tJHvkuPhrcTFQkHRGiAIObDKrBIAy7LzNw4WvLYWCfN2Gk1VDkQHZTSGTFXgyH1Uhh_LQcWLR1cQS9LCFTU94wFrL_4c467wqkbn3QspVwewXoZQym-KOh8PbcfsPdstmu0PFH-dn34NH04LATtgkoxF1ik0cjLPooI8FPZocVMT=s320" width="194" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Lo and behold my kids have discovered the "Choose Your Own Adventure" series - and they are loving it. About a day into reading the one book we own (yes, I'll get more), my 9 year old son says, "Hey! Life is like a choose your own adventure!" I was just blown away by that epiphany. He is totally correct.</p><p><br /></p><p>However, in the books it is very clear when you have to make a decision. At the bottom of the page it gives you your choices.</p><p><i>"If you decide to run for it through the back door of the house, turn to page 40.</i></p><p><i>If you decide to wait where you are and prepare to defend yourselves, turn to page 30."</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>Funny enough, life never clearly points out those important "choice" moments.</p><p><i>A car just cut you off in traffic, leaving you at a red light. Should you-</i></p><p><i>a. Run the red light, so you can catch the perpetrator and give him a piece of your mind.</i></p><p><i>b. Stop at the red light, breathe deeply and carry on with your trip.</i></p><p><i>c. Stop at the red light, and give the jerk a piece of your mind anyway.</i></p><p><i>d. Be aware of your children in the backseat who will hear your rants about lousy bleeping drivers.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>Every choice we make, whether big or small fills in the puzzle pieces that make us human beings. The trick is to be aware of those "choice" moments - and choose correctly as best we can. <a href="https://www.aish.com/sp/pg/48916792.html" target="_blank">Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler talks about these choice points</a>, that real free will happens when there is a conflict in how we would approach a choice. </p><p>For example - I don't have issues with murder. Do I have free will in that topic, no, because that's really not an issue for me. I do, however, have issues with losing my temper. That is a very real issue for me. So when one of my kids spills the entire jug of milk on the floor when trying to pour themselves a glass of milk - this will hit my "choice" moment. Do I freak out at the kid who really feels bad enough or keep my calm and clean it up? If I keep my calm, then I conquered that choice and established a precedent for next time (don't worry, there will be a next time) - and my "choice" moment moves forward. The idea is to keep growing and creating a better You.</p><p>Judaism is about using the Mitzvot to create a better You, a better You who will create a world that G-d wants to be a part of. </p><p>Let's recognize our choices in our own personal Choose Your Own Adventure book of life and see how we can move our "choice" moments forward.</p><p>Have a great week!</p><p>Shira</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-46401027828577921202022-01-02T00:29:00.003-05:002022-01-02T00:34:10.788-05:00YouTube Channel to Follow - BAYT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vcxo_Ha5jjk" width="320" youtube-src-id="vcxo_Ha5jjk"></iframe></div><p><br /></p><p>Welcome to 2022!</p><p>It's important to start the new year with Torah! I found a fantastic rabbi to follow on YouTube. His name is Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, he is head rabbi of the BAYT, a large synagogue in Thornhill (north of Toronto), Ontario. He gives his take on the parsha and posts it on YouTube.</p><p>Here is the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/BaytTorah/videos" target="_blank">link to the BAYT YouTube page</a>. I sincerely hope you subscribe to it. I have been thoroughly enjoying his takes on the parshas found in Breisheet/Genesis and Shemot/Exodus so far. Posted above is this past week's parsha of Va'era found in the Book of Shemot.</p><p>Wishing everyone a fantastic week ahead!</p><p>Shira</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-1933361279982439292021-12-31T00:04:00.006-05:002022-01-01T23:38:16.372-05:00Happy 5th Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtHMPnNrt-AMnMnYpy-B50kptD47OV4NNn-UEGy6VFUyd0EzkOYzc0Xr_XqUge7OofYEqJNZIGu26DBhD9j_hlJY3aqa4eikqC59GrpbGkmI-P6weCNG3DKVzDL6pD2N4rg4rRSZu6BO5QIQZ0m1PtaIq56OlvCcRFKZb_DxDs5PIwXkbS10Im5bG_=s2968" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2968" data-original-width="1668" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtHMPnNrt-AMnMnYpy-B50kptD47OV4NNn-UEGy6VFUyd0EzkOYzc0Xr_XqUge7OofYEqJNZIGu26DBhD9j_hlJY3aqa4eikqC59GrpbGkmI-P6weCNG3DKVzDL6pD2N4rg4rRSZu6BO5QIQZ0m1PtaIq56OlvCcRFKZb_DxDs5PIwXkbS10Im5bG_=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p>It's truly incredible how fast time flies. Today we celebrated my 5 year old son's birthday. It was an incredible day, mostly because of my oldest, 11 year old daughter. She happened to be home this week, attending her classes on zoom. She really cares about her brothers and tries to make their birthdays special. Today was no different. She decorated a blank t-shirt for him as well as baked a cake in the shape of his favorite Numberblock character (it's a fantastic math show). She was incredible. I didn't mind her taking off class today, she made her brother so happy, doing fun things with him all day - especially since he's been home sick all week.</p><p>Aside from the creativity she showed - what I saw was my oldest, growing up - and doing something that unfortunately many adults cannot do... celebrating without jealousy with another person. She focused herself completely on the task of making her little brother happy, doing things he wanted to do - and she was incredibly successful. He had a wonderful day, and I am so grateful.</p><p>There are at least two lessons to be learned here. First, I think is that empathy is something that must be taught if a child isn't naturally inclined to be empathetic. It's not simple. My daughter comes to it naturally, but it needs to be nurtured in every child. Second, to enjoy without jealousy someone else's life successes, life events, career successes - anything positive going on in someone else's life. I think that many times, it's easy to say - how come that amazing thing happened for them, but not for me? That may be a natural response in some ways, but we have to remember that we aren't in charge, and that perhaps what G-d gave to another person isn't appropriate for us, and that we don't generally have the bigger picture available to us. Also not simple.</p><p>So heading into the new year, while I'm not a fan of resolutions - I will try my best to be genuinely happy for my family and friends who are successful in whatever they are doing. Even small gestures mean a lot. A small chocolate bar with a drawn heart - goes a long way in showing your encouragement and happiness for them.</p><p>I wish you all a year ahead full of good health and happiness.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-42185916014195954722021-10-15T17:33:00.003-04:002021-10-15T17:36:09.357-04:00Tishrei, Cheshvan and Lech Lecha<p>Wow! Welcome back! </p><p>It has been an intense time this past month. Tishrei, the month with a zillion holidays (okay, not a zillion - but it felt like every other day was a holiday - yeah, okay that's true). We reconnected with Gd and family over Rosh HaShanah/Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. On Simchat Torah we finished our yearly reading of the Torah and started anew.</p><p>We're now in Cheshvan. The month after Tishrei. No holidays to celebrate. Some of us are breathing easier because we aren't making 20+ full blown meals in one month. Lol. Personally, I enjoyed the holidays, but it was definitely a marathon of cooking.</p><p>What occurred to me after finishing the month of intense connection and walking into a month of "nothing" - reminded me of something my child's speech language therapist with my child. She did intensive work with him for a few months, then gave him a month to let the work he did with her 'gel' and work on it on his own.</p><p>Elul (the month before Tishrei) and Tishrei are intense. We spend much time apologizing to friends and family for possible mistakes and how we may have mistreated them. We think about our connection to Gd and how we want to improve for the coming year. And now we're in the time of Cheshvan - the month without holidays. This is the time we want to take the work we did back in Elul and Tishrei and let it 'gel' - revisit our goals for the coming year. </p><p>This week's parsha is Lech Lecha. The parsha where Gd tells Avram to 'go for himself' - to set out to the Land that He will show him. Where are we going? What goals have we set for ourselves? Start small - every step we take counts. No matter how small a step it is - it creates stamina for the next step we take.</p><p>Have a great Shabbos everyone!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-65167093341145191562021-09-15T11:23:00.003-04:002021-09-15T11:28:14.849-04:00Can't Make it to Services? Watching Children on Yom Kippur<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWK8deyhSP0sX_dYSymvoU8ccPrO1pOepVpdVSEZQO1yrBpmOMNq-swEwqASP-cwciRcqdgbNPEcXYiixtO8d36su2xyQJIbxC47Gue25KV-v4gZzNOX7uWzEvpC8hcuT5Sr7SrP3VF0/s2048/IMG_7102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWK8deyhSP0sX_dYSymvoU8ccPrO1pOepVpdVSEZQO1yrBpmOMNq-swEwqASP-cwciRcqdgbNPEcXYiixtO8d36su2xyQJIbxC47Gue25KV-v4gZzNOX7uWzEvpC8hcuT5Sr7SrP3VF0/s320/IMG_7102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I wrote <a href="http://www.ajewishminute.com/2016/10/yom-kippur-video-and-reflections-for.html" target="_blank">this</a> back in 2016 and it is relevant every year. If you're a mother or father that cannot go to synagogue because you're watching your kids at home - this is for you. It's written for mothers, but is relevant to anyone who is home watching their children. <a href="http://www.ajewishminute.com/2016/10/yom-kippur-video-and-reflections-for.html" target="_blank">Click HERE!</a></p><p>Wishing everyone an easy and meaningful fast. Gmar Chatima Tova!</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-31349320629823506772021-09-12T23:21:00.004-04:002021-09-12T23:21:47.588-04:00Yom Kippur Video Message: Let's Discuss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zOGSgEGzfig" width="320" youtube-src-id="zOGSgEGzfig"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This is a short (under 5 minute) video on the meaning of Yom Kippur. Truthfully, I never had thought about it this way. Watch and leave a comment on what you think. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-74316625078489014662021-09-10T14:00:00.001-04:002021-09-10T14:00:38.396-04:00Your Choices Matter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF148R02H7a-WByYk6pXku6k7x46KSdOyPpreDV4Y_jM1f4eniI3ub__BZv5t6aATi79UetSeQfn7f7mskFUYbd8DJtYrkPS2ImxIfTDyPr6PeCAFIa6KYtc8oc9_I4m-lP2FiGWadNM/s960/choices+matter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF148R02H7a-WByYk6pXku6k7x46KSdOyPpreDV4Y_jM1f4eniI3ub__BZv5t6aATi79UetSeQfn7f7mskFUYbd8DJtYrkPS2ImxIfTDyPr6PeCAFIa6KYtc8oc9_I4m-lP2FiGWadNM/s320/choices+matter.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">G-d says in the Torah, (to paraphrase): I’m putting life and death in front of you- choose life!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Life is full of choices- from the moment we wake up to the moment we get into bed. Each choice is significant. What do we do with our choices... are these life affirming choices, like giving of our time/money to others, dropping a can of corn into the food donation box, being truthful in our speech or simply offering a smile to a stranger? Or are these choices that lead nowhere... consciously ignoring those who we can actively help?</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">If you scan the news headlines for just a short moment, it is clear that there is pain and need everywhere. The Oral Law in Pirkei Avot says (paraphrasing): You are not obligated to complete the work but you cannot desist from it... you cannot NOT get started even if you know you cannot finish it. There are no excuses. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Rabbi Nachman of Breslov had a famous saying, “Know that a person needs to cross a very very narrow bridge, and what is essential is not to be afraid. One should not be afraid at all.”</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Like a narrow bridge the world is a scary place at times and as on a narrow bridge it is easy to become frozen with fear, unable to move. The same may happen in our own lives, unable to move and make choices. Rabbi Nachman is saying that the main thing is not to be afraid- to go ahead and make those life affirming choices because G-d/Hashem is with you. </div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">When you follow Hashem’s guide to Life, the Torah, there should be no fear- only joy. Joy/Simcha comes from knowing you’ve done the right thing, that there are no doubts in your actions. When Hashem says - choose Life! - and you make choices and take action in life affirming ways, you should feel joy/Simcha in those choices and actions.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">As we approach Yom Kippur, we should take a moment to consider our approach to life. Hopefully we can say that this coming year will be full of true Simcha for all the Jewish People and the world. We need not be afraid, because Hashem loves us and is with us always.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Gmar Chatima Tova, wishing that everyone be written and sealed in the Book of Life <span class="pq6dq46d tbxw36s4 knj5qynh kvgmc6g5 ditlmg2l oygrvhab nvdbi5me sf5mxxl7 gl3lb2sf hhz5lgdu" style="display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"><img alt="❤️" height="16" referrerpolicy="origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t6c/1/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px;" width="16" /></span> May you be blessed with ALL that you need in your life.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-84565640482566306202021-08-30T02:00:00.020-04:002021-08-30T02:17:28.444-04:00Assembling Our School Supply List in Time for Rosh HaShana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd35BGEJRN0Z4mG8yn_HALfhgc47En8GVjyLLdbBlS_aC-q3bbCXE5IuS0gm-eXb_vPG1CarMYkYt2xzzsx7iD577zkTVy_0QiRRbVEbmTVdNSmczQPg0RtENWwojO8RcLJ6rOC0Y1Aw/s794/school+supplies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="794" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd35BGEJRN0Z4mG8yn_HALfhgc47En8GVjyLLdbBlS_aC-q3bbCXE5IuS0gm-eXb_vPG1CarMYkYt2xzzsx7iD577zkTVy_0QiRRbVEbmTVdNSmczQPg0RtENWwojO8RcLJ6rOC0Y1Aw/s320/school+supplies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">It was so interesting watching as the kids started assembling their books and supplies for school this past week. There was a lot of time spent matching their supplies with the official list sent out by the school. What's kind of funny is how detailed the lists really are, everything from the length of the ruler to the color of the folders, and if the folders need pockets, brand of pencil, how many pencils, brand and number of erasers, how many binders, what colors the binders need to be, and of course don't forget the markers, colored pencils (and brand) and clear tape. The lists go on and on. It's quite a project.</span></div><p>Why do the kids need such specific details regarding school supplies? Isn't any colored pencil "good enough"? Or does it matter if a child has a blue folder with pockets or a pink folder without pockets? Truth is that it actually does matter.</p><p>The school supplies are the children's tools to be successful in school. Each of these supplies is a 'tool' for a certain task at school. When the teacher assigns the blue folder with the pockets to be the folder for social studies and starts handing out photocopies of the material to be kept in that specific folder - the child had better have a blue folder with pockets... the pink one without pockets won't cut it. </p><p>What's fascinating though is applying it to the mitzvot, the Commandments that G-d gave to the Jewish People. There's certainly a feeling sometimes that the mitzvot are too detailed, too involved and why can't I make due with "good enough". And the answer is no - it's not "good enough".</p><p>The mitzvot are our tools to be successful in our relationship with G-d/HaShem. Just as each school supply has it's task to fulfill, each mitzvah we tackle brings us closer to being successful in creating a world that HaShem wants to dwell in. We are partners with G-d in making a better world. Sometimes it's obvious what needs to be done to make things better - and sometimes it's not so clear. Rather than assume that "any" colored pencil will do the job, perhaps an understanding of why the brand chosen is important. For example, I just found out this summer that some colored pencils sharpen better than others - it's important to know this because when you sharpen this particular brand, it continually breaks and it's quite frustrating.</p><p>While sometimes we think we know what has to be done to make this world a G-dly one, it is a good idea to check the "official school list" i.e. The Torah and find out what G-d actually thinks are things we should do and not only rely on our own "good enough" list. Even when we don't understand why one brand is chosen over another, we trust that the teacher knows why we are required to buy that brand. In the same vein, we need to trust that HaShem knows why these mitzvot are detailed and need to be done in a certain way to be successful.</p><p>Rosh HaShana gives us an opportunity to get our own supplies in order. We need to take the time to "match up" where we are at with the "official" list. What are our strengths and weaknesses? What small steps can we take to improve our relationships with our family and friends? What small mitzvah can we take on to improve ourselves and create a G-dly world?</p><p>Like assembling our school lists, we will always be missing something on the list. We are human beings, susceptible to failure, but also capable of amazing things. </p><p>It's time to get excited. The first day of the New Year is coming. G-d willing, it'll be a great year.</p><p>I want to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Successful year ahead, full of clarity and blessing.</p><p>Shana Tova.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-62534298954695138822021-08-23T07:26:00.005-04:002021-08-23T07:59:19.087-04:00Allowing Others to Exist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2OEI0hyJoSFRIKRAtz0yGzJkGDxSFTqf94hPyq-L6wNbxEnRWsxhFyURb3tK3BFf_bztMxwov6G4kK6R3X3Vvg6D2KbbO39caOjHCvsP0GzNj_mIYuRD7ku-lSFqS6mdTp32q76A71w/s500/unfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2OEI0hyJoSFRIKRAtz0yGzJkGDxSFTqf94hPyq-L6wNbxEnRWsxhFyURb3tK3BFf_bztMxwov6G4kK6R3X3Vvg6D2KbbO39caOjHCvsP0GzNj_mIYuRD7ku-lSFqS6mdTp32q76A71w/s320/unfriend.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The main idea to focus on during Rosh HaShana is that we are crowning G-d/HaShem as our King. What does that actually mean? The mitzvah of hearing the shofar blown is recognizing the "coronation" of our King. But still, what does that mean?</p><p>During Creation of the world, G-d in a sense pulled Himself back to allow us and our physical world to exist. (For more information on this concept, <a href="https://www.chabad.org/search/keyword_cdo/kid/3332/jewish/Tzimtzum.htm" target="_blank">click here</a>). While we know that we are supposed to emulate G-d in character traits - for example: slow to anger, helping those in need - we can also follow HaShem's lead in how to deal with other people. </p><p>Many times, especially in our social media age, we cannot allow others to exist - they have opinions we don't agree with, or we don't agree with their world view. We un-'friend' them. We pretend they do not exist, and in our social media world, with a click of a button, they don't exist. Even in the real world, friends and family have even been cut off - and their opinions and thoughts no longer need to 'offend' our sensibilities. Their existence no longer concerns us. </p><p>During Creation, HaShem pulled Himself back to allow us to exist. That is a lesson to us all. It's a basis for our whole physical existence. We have to learn from G-d's example. We need to recognize that we are not the center of the universe, that our opinions and thoughts are not the last word. Perhaps it's okay to be challenged by others, to be someone who learns from everyone we meet, as Pirkei Avos says. We can pull our egos back and allow others to exist.</p><p>This Rosh HaShana, let's hear the blowing of the shofar and let that sound enter our hearts. Together we will coronate HaShem as our King instead of our egos.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-2802003623313370582021-08-19T23:22:00.001-04:002021-08-19T23:22:11.023-04:00Being Content is Dangerous... Let's Discuss!Instead of a book club where we can discuss what we are reading, I am going to pick short videos (about 5 minutes) of different fascinating people who are bringing their brilliance to us. Please watch and comment below what you think. Whether you agree or disagree, I am sure you will enjoy the speakers.<div><br /></div><div>Here is Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski speaking, "Being Content is Dangerous".<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-y7rJmiV2-4" width="482" youtube-src-id="-y7rJmiV2-4"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-17112909447593051242021-08-08T20:14:00.000-04:002021-08-08T20:14:30.848-04:00I'm Back! Cue the Happy Dance!!!<p>Today is Rosh Chodesh Elul! Just the right time to get back online. Unbelievably, we are a month away from Rosh HaShanah. I'm not ready, are you?</p><p>Here are a few posts to get you in the mood.</p><p><a href="https://www.aish.com/h/hh/rh/new_year/My-30-Days-of-Changing-a-Bad-Habit-and-Doing-Kindness.html" target="_blank">My 30 Days of Changing a Bad Habit and Doing Kindness</a></p><p><a href="https://www.aish.com/h/hh/e/" target="_blank">Aish HaTorah's Elul Inspiration Page</a></p><p><a href="https://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4685/jewish/Month-of-Elul.htm" target="_blank">Chabad's Month of Elul: Stocktaking and Introspection</a></p><p>Also - feel free to wander about A Jewish Minute's past articles. I've been busy the last couple years with life and haven't had time to update properly. Hopefully, I'll be able to rectify that.</p><p>I'm thinking about leaving shorter pieces on A Jewish Minute's Facebook page, while posting longer articles here. </p><p>Any suggestions or questions? Free free to contact me.</p><p>Chodesh Tov!!!</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-38364821707538035912017-11-15T00:49:00.001-05:002017-11-15T00:49:58.401-05:00Watch with Me! 2nd Installment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPcnXKkD2yRy8EILKvTdsTehFD6oBAhs0qpqFg0d0oqLh_6j4zcjL7DK6hvrNE3gGS2jOdlG_nv_KlKKhsPQGvdQCYiep1jJZU1Wc-gtLsdh9XtXXSFJ8_9xsUcxdmwmkaAmFm_u_HBQ/s1600/not-sure-if-tired-or-brain-is-fried.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPcnXKkD2yRy8EILKvTdsTehFD6oBAhs0qpqFg0d0oqLh_6j4zcjL7DK6hvrNE3gGS2jOdlG_nv_KlKKhsPQGvdQCYiep1jJZU1Wc-gtLsdh9XtXXSFJ8_9xsUcxdmwmkaAmFm_u_HBQ/s320/not-sure-if-tired-or-brain-is-fried.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I finally sat down this morning to watch the second installment of Dr. Michael Chighel's video series, called "<a href="http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/3211478/jewish/Lesson-1-What-Torah-Thinks-of-Torah.htm">What Torah thinks of Torah</a>". I think it was about 15 minutes long.<br />
<br />
Whoa. Either my brain in completely fried, or there was a lot of information packed into those few minutes. It could really be both. I hadn't had my coffee yet when I watched the video. The upshot is, that I think I have to watch it again.<br />
<br />
The first few minutes I thought were excellent. Dr. Chighel tried to illustrate the question of how an Infinite Being (G-d) could get across information to a finite being (us). His clarity of exploring that question made sense and I could really feel the divide... if a finite being (person) has trouble explaining 1+1=2 to another finite being (dog), than how much more so does an Infinite Being have giving over deeper sociological/ethical/spiritual issues to finite beings. Chighel does a great job on this.<br />
<br />
After that, I think my brain wandered... so I will have to watch again and update this post.<br />
<br />
I hope you are watching with me - feel free to set me straight!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-80911529700889639242017-11-07T12:17:00.001-05:002017-11-07T12:17:34.143-05:00Get those brain cells moving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbV1M6kbwZA-5HsQA39UCSexITwGtNjQT9viTKshyNyuDPR8jvZadHiN7RLiXqiiGqkluvg006wRhUOVhOU6QHz3xeHCTmtnxT_mYtb6RIt0T3bJ3nY-ff41pSmiDghf1RffqODKXe7M/s1600/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbV1M6kbwZA-5HsQA39UCSexITwGtNjQT9viTKshyNyuDPR8jvZadHiN7RLiXqiiGqkluvg006wRhUOVhOU6QHz3xeHCTmtnxT_mYtb6RIt0T3bJ3nY-ff41pSmiDghf1RffqODKXe7M/s320/coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
With four kids under the age of 6.5, it's hard to get back into learning... anything. I'm sleep deprived, and generally running around (mostly back and forth from school) doing stuff for other people. I not even quite sure if my brain hasn't atrophied into nothingness. I have no problem with any of that, though I'd love some more sleep please... but it's also important to realize that everyone needs a spiritual "checkup".<br />
<br />
I thought about this last week and happened upon a series of videos that looks doable. Interesting, thoughtful and I think I may actually learn something.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chabad.org/search/keyword_cdo/kid/13514/jewish/Michael-Chighel.htm" target="_blank">Dr. Michael Chighel, a PhD in Philosophy,</a> brings an introduction to Torah and Torah ideas to us. My goal is to watch a video a day (or every other day). His introductory video, is about 18 minutes long - so after I dropped two kids at school, went to a doctor appointment with the third, took him to school, then sent the baby to his bed for a nap, it was time for breakfast and a very much needed coffee, a perfect time to watch a video. And anyone who knows me, that's impressive, I have no patience for videos of any sort. The videos following this introductory one look shorter, about 10 minutes apiece.<br />
<br />
Here's the link.<br />
<a href="http://www.chabad.org/multimedia/media_cdo/aid/3211475/jewish/Introduction-101-Authors-Who-Didnt-Write-the-Bible.htm">Jewish Introduction: 101 Authors Who Didn't Write the Torah</a><br />
<br />
I'm going to try and watch each of his videos and write up my impression here. If you'd like to join me in attempting to get my brain cells running again and have a discussion in the comment section... please do! Grab a coffee, tea or even water (yes, it's healthy!) - watch the video and leave your comments here on the blog.<br />
<br />
Looking forward! Have a great week!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-54273977928957551222017-08-04T00:43:00.002-04:002017-08-04T00:43:28.663-04:00Priorities! I came across an op-ed article yesterday from the LA Times, titled "It's too expensive to be Jewish". To read it, <a href="http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-komaiko-cost-of-hebrew-lessons-20170730-story.html?ref=yfp">click here</a>. In the article, the mother is complaining about the cost of bar mitzvah lessons. One quote is for $140/hour, another for $80. Her kids attend a Hebrew school that meets twice a month and reading Hebrew is not part of the curriculum. She goes on to talk about the cost of membership in a Temple that does have Hebrew as part of the curriculum, and the cost of High Holiday tickets.<br />
<br />
Now, I get that there are times that being Jewish does cost extra. If you are sending your kids to day school, tuition does not come cheaply, neither does kosher meat. But within the Jewish lifestyle there is plenty that is free and inexpensive. Lighting Shabbat candles once a week, is not an expensive habit. Having a family meal together without the gadgets is recommended by experts who have studied the breakdown of the nuclear family. Making that family meal on a Friday night with some wine and challah make that meal a holy one, something really special. Bringing that meal to a holy level, to connect with all the Jews around the world, all saying the Kiddush will make an impact on everyone at that table.<br />
<br />
There are plenty of synagogues and organizations that do not charge astronomical fees for praying on the High Holidays - one just needs to take a quick look around. Chabad, for one, does not. And it's as easy to find them as the 7/11 on the corner.<br />
<br />
The question really are priorities. This woman sends her kids twice a month to a Jewish Hebrew school. I applaud her for that. However, does she think that those two times are really going to make a deep impact on her kids? Does she re-enforce the lessons taught at school... at home? Does she read Jewish books with them? Does she light Shabbat candles and have Friday night dinner as a family sans electronics?<br />
<br />
The op-ed ends with this thought:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As for Nathaniel, baseball and sleep-away camp and a million other not-so-good excuses have prevented me from setting up his first tutoring session. But it's on my to-do list.</blockquote>
Priorities. She manages to find the money for baseball and camp (and who knows what else) - but not for a Jewish education for her kids. Like I said, not everything Jewish costs money - but some things do... she needs to be honest with herself - if there is limited money (and she makes clear that she did not win the lottery), then how is she budgeting. What is most important to her and her family? Judaism and Jewish continuity or baseball? Perhaps it's a Jewish camp - that would be fantastic. That would be a good use of money. But we don't get that sense from her writing.<br />
<br />
I wish her and her family the very best - and I hope that she finds a way to inject a joy of Judaism into her kids and not boil it down to nickels and cents... especially since she's finding other ways of spending that change.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-77661815565941276932016-10-13T21:58:00.001-04:002016-10-13T23:42:51.636-04:00I'm Taking Suggestions!!!Okay, my Yom Kippur was not as fantastic as I was hoping it would be. It went alright, but I think it could have gone better. Truthfully, I think this was due to lack of planning - so let's get your ideas and opinions on what do better next year...<br />
<br />
I have a 5.5 year old (going on 13), a four year old and a two year old. All were up early and all were quite tired, cranky and overtired. My four and two year olds decided it was a good day to be physical with each other and run through my apartment in circles, climbing and falling off the couches, crashing into things and into each other, climbing the bookshelves (don't worry, they're attached to the wall)... can we say... OMG!!! I did manage to fast, but suffice it to say, it was a rough day.<br />
<br />
So I'm open to suggestions for next year... Any thoughts out there that don't include television, computers, videos, anything electronic and not killing the kids (just kidding)?<br />
<br />
Oh, and by the way - Sukkot is starting sundown October 16!<br />
Check out my go-to websites:<br />
<a href="http://www.aish.com/h/su/?s=nb">Aish.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.chabad.org/generic_cdo/aid/984606/jewish/Sukkot-Simchat-Torah.htm">Chabad.org</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-23444299577717673812016-10-11T01:15:00.001-04:002016-10-11T01:15:27.698-04:00Yom Kippur Video and Reflections for Jewish MothersTuesday night begins Yom Kippur, the day that we apologize to G-d for our mistakes. Hopefully by this point we've already apologized to our acquaintance, friends and family for hurting them.<br />
<br />
I just came across a fascinating video, about four and a half minutes, about a golden bell that hung at the bottom of the Kohen Gadol's (High Priest) robe. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/148124115241411/videos/1137384496315363/" target="_blank">Click here to see it</a>. Good to watch before Yom Kippur.<br />
<br />
Otherwise, take a few minutes before the holiday to check out these websites, and maybe print off something that looks interesting.<br />
<br />
Aish.com - <a href="http://www.aish.com/h/hh/yom-kippur/?s=nb" target="_blank">Yom Kippur</a><br />
Chabad.org - <a href="http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/4687/jewish/Yom-Kippur.htm" target="_blank">Yom Kippur</a><br />
<br />
And something else I found for the mothers out there who won't be making it to synagogue (like me!):<br />
<br />
Not going to be spending much time, or any time at all in shul this Yom Kippur? A bit disappointed to be spending the most lofty day of the year stuck at home with young kids breaking up fights, changing diapers, and passing out bamba?<br />
<br />
Listen to this…<br />
The great Rabbi Elya Lopian zts”l taught that while the rest of the Jewish people is in shul praying, we mothers of young children should not feel the slightest bit disappointed that we spend this day focused on physical tasks rather than in the elevated atmosphere of the synagogue.<br />
<br />
Rabbi Lopian taught: “Women who are at home during the High Holidays, busy caring for their children, don’t need the atmosphere and all of the prayers that are said in synagogue, since their prayers rise upward through a pipeline that goes directly to the Throne of Glory. And with the few words they’re able to daven, they are brought as close to the Throne of Glory as all the people who are standing for long hours, begging and pleading.” (Translated from Avodas HaTefillah V’Hamussar b’Mishnasah shel Kelm)<br />
<br />
If you are a mother of young children, and dedicate your holiday to caring for them and your family’s needs, then the few minutes of prayer you say on your living room sofa are as valuable in Heaven as a rabbi’s 3-hour Amida in synagogue.<br />
<br />
And remember: if you feel like your children are getting in the way of your serving Hashem this Yom Kippur…<br />
Rabbi Brezak teaches: “Children don’t get in the way, they ARE the way.”<br />
<br />
And let’s finish off with a story I just received from JewishMOM Chaya Cohen:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
There once was a king who made a ceremony in honor of his birthday. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
All day, he sat on his throne receiving his citizens’ well wishes. Each was rewarded for his or her visit in accordance with the king’s respect for that subject. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In the line stood the nanny of the prince, the king’s son. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
When her turn came, everyone waited to hear what reward she would receive, as the king surely valued her role immensely. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
But when the nanny came before the king, before she could speak, the king said to her: “If you are here, WHO is watching my son?!?” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I have a friend, a mother of 9, who shares this story every Yom Kippur as she watches her children from the neighborhood park bench. She says, “when my turn in judgment comes this Yom Kippur, all I know is I will be able to say that I spent this holy day watching Your children.” </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Gemar Chatima Tova, JewishMOM!</blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-25086071136541746402016-09-19T22:57:00.001-04:002016-09-19T23:03:42.348-04:00Good Reading for Kids and AdultsI was going through an old storage unit and I came across a fantastic set of books that I grew up with. They are perfect for 4-6 (and even older) year old kids, full of Jewish content and great to read. I brought them home and my kids are loving them. The author is <a href="http://www.muchnikarts.com/" target="_blank">Michoel Muchnik, also an artist</a>.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://store.kehotonline.com/products.asp?dept=366&val=0&pagenumber=1" target="_blank">Titles include</a>: (<a href="http://store.kehotonline.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EC-MUCH.SB" target="_blank">To get the whole set, click here</a>)</div>
<div>
The Double-Decker Purple Shul Bus</div>
<div>
Hershel's Houseboat</div>
<div>
Dovid Comes Home</div>
<div>
Leah & Leibel's Lighthouse</div>
<div>
Tuvia's Train that had no End</div>
<div>
The Scribe that lived in a Tree</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I also have been coming across some really interesting articles - if you have a moment, take a quick read.</div>
<div>
* <a href="http://www.romanian-synagogues.org/" target="_blank">Photographs of 14 Romanian Synagogues</a></div>
<div>
* <a href="http://www.aish.com/jw/s/8-Little-Known-Facts-about-Jewish-Pirates.html?s=fb" target="_blank">8 Little-Known Facts about Jewish Pirates</a></div>
<div>
* <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/a-lesson-about-happiness-from-a-holocaust-survivor-2014-10" target="_blank">A Psychiatrist Who Survived The Holocaust Explains Why Meaningfulness Matters More Than Happiness</a></div>
<div>
* <a href="http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4854160,00.html" target="_blank">Excavation unveils scale weight belonging to high priest</a></div>
<div>
* <a href="http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/historic-first-chassidic-woman-elected-to-be-ny-civil-court-judge/2016/09/14/" target="_blank">Historic First: Chassidic Woman Elected to be NY Civil Court Judge</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-77210238166852483082016-09-12T21:47:00.001-04:002016-09-12T21:47:13.716-04:00Rosh HaShanah is Coming! You Ready? Me Neither <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzAXHKS8rGZDibtKm8cEj7pYMB6QrQU4I7wPb2IGe6gUpCUuB83Us-Tr1an16Q3XIoRMxUtULkYlwfUcIKDTc5qv2SJJgsLGCC4_P21H4SLu-2fQGwyrz5xg7FG29NXaxp6j7pDcuq4Q/s1600/sweet+year+RH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzAXHKS8rGZDibtKm8cEj7pYMB6QrQU4I7wPb2IGe6gUpCUuB83Us-Tr1an16Q3XIoRMxUtULkYlwfUcIKDTc5qv2SJJgsLGCC4_P21H4SLu-2fQGwyrz5xg7FG29NXaxp6j7pDcuq4Q/s320/sweet+year+RH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Crazy I know - Rosh HaShanah is coming! Facebook groups are starting to obsess about the menus, what to cook, what to freeze... omg!<br />
<br />
Okay, so I'm not that person who's quite that organized. I think I'm lucky that I get Shabbat meals ready every week. Not too bad an accomplishment. But the truth is, we should be starting to prepare for Rosh HaShanah, it is the Jewish New Year. Even if we're not ready to get our menus in order, we should start to think about what Rosh HaShanah is actually about. It's about crowning HaShem (G-d) King over ourselves and over the universe. Huge. But what does that actually mean?<br />
<br />
We are not the end all, be all. We like to have control over our lives, and we do the best to have that control. However, that control is really a facade. Usually, we don't realize that we don't have complete control until something goes wrong - health problems, loss of a job or something else. Then clearly, it's no longer in our hands... and we start to wonder, and talk to G-d (usually in anger or pain) and finally see that most things are not really in our control - the reality dawns that HaShem wants us to talk to Him and make a connection. Unfortunately, it's usually hardship that forces the connection... since when things are good and floating along cheerily, we forget about the Guy in Charge. But it doesn't have to be that way. We have to make the connection even when things are good, recognize HaShem's hand in all of it... and let go of some of that "control".<br />
<br />
I won't be in synagogue this year to pray... but I will be there to hear the shofar blown. Hearing the shofar is the key mitzvah of the holiday. Don't miss it. Close your eyes, clear your mind, and let the sound enter your heart.<br />
<br />
A great book to prepare for Rosh HaShanah is: <i>60 Days: A Spiritual Guide to the High Holidays</i> by Rabbi Simon Jacobson. It is great. Rabbi Jacobson has broken down the month prior to Rosh HaShanah (Elul) and the month of Rosh HaShanah and the following holidays (Tishrei) into their individual days. He then gives fascinating information about what you can learn/do each of those days to get the most out of preparations and celebrating the holidays. It's also a workbook for self-improvement, if you have the time - but if you don't, there's plenty for you to read and enjoy. It also has a guide to the prayers of Rosh HaShanah.<br />
<br />
If you're not able to go to synagogue (or even if you are), make sure to visit and print out before the holidays interesting articles to read and think about (there are also recipes, if you need some inspiration):<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.aish.com/h/hh/?s=nb" target="_blank">Aish.com: High Holidays</a><br />
<a href="http://www.chabad.org/holidays/default_cdo/jewish/holidays.htm" target="_blank">Chabad.org: Jewish Holidays</a><br />
<br />
All the best to everyone for a <a href="http://www.chabad.org/holidays/JewishNewYear/template_cdo/aid/174683/jewish/New-Year-Greetings-Explained.htm" target="_blank">Shana Tova U'Mituka</a> - a sweet and good year ahead!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1243256944956351187.post-85323000206617741942016-08-13T22:52:00.001-04:002016-08-14T00:38:21.006-04:00The Fast of Tisha b'Av<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hbZ9Z7WjclYRTbXtAM3JfbQ7_OZVBPtk6T31WpWJeI_oJdJyCDSavqV4HdIMxc0LbReQvZy-WBaa_vJMotQwwnHBEIIqh-KM-Dx48FLLholi7OGJ6Zz6EW4ifnLBix2Fyc7hYpJRQHE/s1600/secondtemple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hbZ9Z7WjclYRTbXtAM3JfbQ7_OZVBPtk6T31WpWJeI_oJdJyCDSavqV4HdIMxc0LbReQvZy-WBaa_vJMotQwwnHBEIIqh-KM-Dx48FLLholi7OGJ6Zz6EW4ifnLBix2Fyc7hYpJRQHE/s320/secondtemple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tonight starts the fast of Tisha b'Av, the saddest day of the Jewish calendar. It includes mourning for both Holy Temples, both destroyed on this day. It also includes mourning for all the horrible things that have happened to the Jewish People over the course of history. And yet, while we sit low to the ground, we believe that whoever the Moshiach will be, the one who will bring us all back to Torah, mitzvot and HaShem, is also born on this day. There is always light, even at the darkest of the night. Let us all strive to be candles in the darkness we find ourselves in.<br />
<br />
Please strive to say a kind word to someone every day - especially a family member. It's always easier to be nicer to a complete stranger than to our own flesh and blood. Remember we want to build and not tear down.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFkwvVHtyMM" target="_blank">* To hear/watch Eicha (Book of Lamentations) chanted in its entirety *</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/remembering-jerusalem/" target="_blank">Remembering Jerusalem</a> - Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/144575/jewish/The-9th-of-Av-Tisha-BAv.htm" target="_blank">A Day of Mourning - A Day of Hope</a> (Chabad)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/144586/jewish/The-Holy-Temple.htm" target="_blank">The Holy Temple</a> (Chabad)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.aish.com/h/9av/oal/Tisha-BAv-The-Pain-of-Distance.html?s=raw" target="_blank">The Pain of Distance </a>(Aish)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.aish.com/h/9av/ht/?s=nb" target="_blank">More Tisha b'Av articles </a>(Aish)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2