Jewish Blogs

Shaq Drops Rosh Hashanah Greeting in Hebrew

In an apparent effort not be outdone by Amar’e Stoudemire’s recent foray into peppering his speech with Hebrew, Shaquille O’Neal (now of the Boston Celtics) offers a Rosh Hashanah greeting to Jews in Hebrew. “The TMZ website reports that last night at BOA Steakhouse in Hollywood, the 7′1″ superstar became the biggest man on the planet to speak Hebrew!” A ...

Shanda-less Self-Promotion

El Yenta Man and I finally managed to get to Connect Savannah’s Best of 2010 Bash last night after split-attending a soccer game, a piano lesson, a PTA meeting (at which Yenta Boy won a district-wide essay contest! kvell, kvell) and a walk with a constipated dog.Read More: @ yoyenta..comYou might also like:And The Winner Is…To Teach or Not to Teach?A Close Encounter ...

Shanah Tovah! Wishing You A Happy, Healthy New Year!

Tonight is the beginning of Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year! While the holiday has its serious side, it is also a joyful occasion, celebrated with many traditional foods and customs. Rosh Hashana actually lasts two days, and this year it runs into Shabbos, meaning we’ll be spending three lovely days with friends and family reflecting on the past year ...

Shabbos Showers

It usually starts like this: You run around Friday afternoon trying to fit in all the important stuff you need to do before shabbos, like buy beer, go to the library, and pick up the cleaners. You get home with an hour and a half left to 1) grab a piece of kugel, 2) check out the new simpsons, 3) ...

Shabbos meals that last too long piss me off

One of the ills affecting the Jewish community of the Bay Area is lengthy meals. I am sure this exists elsewhere, but never have seen it get so out of hand and I have felt that it’s high time for things to change. In general the hachnasas orchim is amazing here.There aren’t too many single folks in most of the ...

Shabbos in Los Angeles was good

After writing the following facebook status “I have been living in California for over a year and have only gone to LA once” I got to thinking about taking a trip down to LA.The last time I went to LA I stayed in Venice, Los Feliz and Long Beach so I really didn’t get a good feel for the Pico ...

Shabbat Shuva: Torah & Tefila, Components of Teshuva

In the Haftora of Shabbat Shuva we read, “Kechu imachem devarim v’shuvu el Hashem. Take with you words and return to Hashem.” The verse continues, “Kol tisa avon vekach tov uneshalmah parim sfaseynu. May You forgive all iniquity and accept good, and let our lips substitute for bulls.” It seems as if the end of the verse is a repetition ...

Shabbat Scenarios: Sewing Situations – Tofer

The Mishna Berura notes that inserting a safety pin once into a garment is permitted, but making two “stitches,” i.e. sticking the pin into the cloth twice, is prohibited. This is based on the Korban Netanel who rules that a pin has the same halachic status as thread. Rav Moshe differs and maintains that a safety pin is not much ...

Shabbat Scenarios: Sewing Science-Tofer/Koreah Part II

In order to violate the Torah prohibition of Koreah, tearing, one must do so for the sake of Tofer, sewing. This law is derived from the times of the Mishkan. Moths would eat circular holes into the curtains. These holes were hard to mend. They needed to be torn into a kind of line to be sewn up.This is an example of ...

Shabbat Scenarios: Fit To Be Tied – More Applications of the Melacha of Koshair #3

Can you tie a knot on a Torah belt (gelilah) on Shabbat?Today most shuls have clips or pre-tied belts, but the question may still come up. On Shabbat morning the knot is by definition temporary, as the Torah will be taken out again later in the day during Mincha. However, after Mincha the Torah will not be read again until ...

Shabbat at Planned Parenthood

The people awake at 7:15 a.m., when I left the house this past Saturday morning, were walking their dogs, washing off the streets in front of their stores and picking up a bite to eat. Usually, I’m never awake before 10 a.m. on Saturdays, so even if I pretend I’m going to make it to shul, it never works. On ...

Sephardi chief rabbi under fire for ‘lenient’ approach to IDF conversions

Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar has come under intense criticism from leading figures in the Ashkenazi ultra-Orthodox community for what they consider his overly lenient attitude toward conversions performed under the auspices of the Israel Defense Forces.On Monday, aides to Amar tried to defuse the controversy by denying that he ever gave his blessing to conversions performed in the military.Read ...