I'm reading this fascinating book (now that the semester's over and I have tiiiiime ;) ), called Mark Twain's Jews, by Dan Vogel. I can't say I love the writing, but the content is really interesting - it's about Mark Twain's perception of the Jews, based on his writings. I really liked this quote (p. 32), written during one of his many travels through Europe, after seeing lots of paintings of Mary:
"The Italian artists painted Italian Virgins, the Dutch painted Dutch Virgins, the Virgins of the French painters were Frenchwomen - none of them ever put into the face of the Madonna that indescribable something that proclaims the Jewess, whether you find her in New YOrk, in Constantinople, in Paris, Jerusalem, or in the Empire of Morocco."
What do you think is that "indescribable something"? ;)
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
TRT Observations
Or as a far away friend would call it..."mind dump." Each of these lines deserve their own blog post, but I think that's a bit overwhelming...and I DO have other things to do...so you'll get the shortened version :)
The slightest smile makes the biggest difference.
Before you call a helpline for anything, make sure that everything possible is plugged in. Otherwise you sound really stupid after talking to customer service for two hours...
Russian sounds like a very unhappy language.
There are so many different people in New York. It's absolutely fascinating. And terribly lonely.
Chewing gum in public, especially with an open mouth, is disgusting and should be banned.
Is setting a mousetrap צער בעלי חיים?
It's very nice to see people learning Torah on the train.
The more people, the more intense the peer pressure.
You know you're living in a Jewish neighborhood when they put a huge menorah up in your apartment lobby (and no tree...)
The slightest smile makes the biggest difference.
Before you call a helpline for anything, make sure that everything possible is plugged in. Otherwise you sound really stupid after talking to customer service for two hours...
Russian sounds like a very unhappy language.
There are so many different people in New York. It's absolutely fascinating. And terribly lonely.
Chewing gum in public, especially with an open mouth, is disgusting and should be banned.
Is setting a mousetrap צער בעלי חיים?
It's very nice to see people learning Torah on the train.
The more people, the more intense the peer pressure.
You know you're living in a Jewish neighborhood when they put a huge menorah up in your apartment lobby (and no tree...)
My Conspiracy Theory
It's very rare that I comment on politics on this blog. The things that I would comment on, everyone else has already said, so I don't think it's necessary. Today, however, I can't hold back - and I don't think this has been said before:
I believe that the Neturei Karta who went to the Holocaust "conference" are not real Jews. I believe that they are people who are dressed up as Jews because they want to make Chassidim specifically, and Jews in general, look bad. Because it was one thing that they were saying that Jews shouldn't consider E"Y the be-all, end-all. But there is no possible way for them to twist Torah to validate their thinking about this. I mean, they're basically condoning, straight out, the murder of thousands of Jews by collaberating with Ahmadinejad. And they're clearly doing it for media attention. So my theory is that they're doing it to get an impression of Jews on TV. Either way, I'm exceedingly disturbed.
And the newspapers that I read over everyone's shoulder on the train are sooooo inflammatory...it's frightening.
I believe that the Neturei Karta who went to the Holocaust "conference" are not real Jews. I believe that they are people who are dressed up as Jews because they want to make Chassidim specifically, and Jews in general, look bad. Because it was one thing that they were saying that Jews shouldn't consider E"Y the be-all, end-all. But there is no possible way for them to twist Torah to validate their thinking about this. I mean, they're basically condoning, straight out, the murder of thousands of Jews by collaberating with Ahmadinejad. And they're clearly doing it for media attention. So my theory is that they're doing it to get an impression of Jews on TV. Either way, I'm exceedingly disturbed.
And the newspapers that I read over everyone's shoulder on the train are sooooo inflammatory...it's frightening.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Cloud Nine
I went to a shiur today for the first time in a long time. I went specifically because of the speaker, and I was not disappointed. When she spoke, I found myself transformed into a previous life. An old life of mine, idealistic and striving. And I realized that I've been stagnating. I realized what I should be doing, what my goals should be.
I realized that obsession with school does not a better me make, nor does it bring me closer to G-d. That the one thing that drives me, that makes me wax poetic (relatively, anyway), that makes me feel all full inside, is (dun dah dun): Torah. And DOING for my people.
And so, I resolve today, with you, my waning readership as witnesses, to focus on Reality. Or at least to try a little more than I've been trying.
Wish me luck! Or rather, הצלחה ;)
I realized that obsession with school does not a better me make, nor does it bring me closer to G-d. That the one thing that drives me, that makes me wax poetic (relatively, anyway), that makes me feel all full inside, is (dun dah dun): Torah. And DOING for my people.
And so, I resolve today, with you, my waning readership as witnesses, to focus on Reality. Or at least to try a little more than I've been trying.
Wish me luck! Or rather, הצלחה ;)
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Intolerant about intolerance
I think that quite a lot of people have a complex. From discussions I've had recently with people telling me what they know about Orthadox Judaism, based on the fact that they can apparantly read other people's minds, every Orthadox Jew is judging them.
Um. What?
I've just experienced it quite a bit recently, due to my fascinating job, and I've come to a realization about judging. Now read this slowly, think about it, and read it again:
In order to assume that someone is judging you, you have to judge them. You know that you're making a judgement, and you only assume that they're judging you. So who's stereotyping here?
So please, I beg of you. Converse, don't assume. If you think Orthadox Jews just are a certain way, look into it. Ask an Orthodox Jew!! Speak to Jews outside of New York, for example. As a general rule, it's healthy to speak to all kinds of Jews outside your comfort zone. You'll find many, different types of Orthodox Jews, many quite friendly, many quite open-minded and tolerant.
And you'll become a much happier person, 'cause you'll realize that they're not judging you, and they don't hate you!!
Um. What?
I've just experienced it quite a bit recently, due to my fascinating job, and I've come to a realization about judging. Now read this slowly, think about it, and read it again:
In order to assume that someone is judging you, you have to judge them. You know that you're making a judgement, and you only assume that they're judging you. So who's stereotyping here?
So please, I beg of you. Converse, don't assume. If you think Orthadox Jews just are a certain way, look into it. Ask an Orthodox Jew!! Speak to Jews outside of New York, for example. As a general rule, it's healthy to speak to all kinds of Jews outside your comfort zone. You'll find many, different types of Orthodox Jews, many quite friendly, many quite open-minded and tolerant.
And you'll become a much happier person, 'cause you'll realize that they're not judging you, and they don't hate you!!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Hi, I'm living in Long Island, CT
I've always liked maps. They put the world in perspective - literally. Call me a nerd (I'll bear it proudly), but one of my favorite books is from my sister, called the Atlas of World History. I dunno, but I just like the way maps clarify things. My point?
My roommate got a Snapple cap that said "Long Island is the largest island in the Continental United States." In my simplistic, out-of-town mind, I thought about Long Island - y'know, where the five towns and Far Rockaway is! After all, you take the Long Island Railroad to get there, so that must be it! Well, apparantly it's not. So said my roommate.
So I asked: Then how is Long Island so big? What's it made of?
So we turned to that ever useful resource, Google maps. And it turns out that Long Island is indeed a pretty big island! It encompasses not only the traditional Long Island, but Brooklyn and Queens as well!! So now I can say I'm living on Long Island. Sounds much, much better ;)
But wait - there's more! Looking further at the map (I added borders), I realized that Manhattan is barely attached to New York, hanging just barely onto a tip of the state. Long Island, even more, is about 75% (if not more) on the Connecticut side of the border! Why it was attached to New York State, I'm not so sure. But it kinda makes sense to me why people from New York City think they're in their own state, and people in "Upstate" are in another hemisphere....
So the final outcome for me is that I'm saying that I'm from Long Island, CT. After all, that's what the map seems to show...and maps are never wrong. :)
In other news, communication is really really important in relationships. Thank you for teaching me that, hon.
My roommate got a Snapple cap that said "Long Island is the largest island in the Continental United States." In my simplistic, out-of-town mind, I thought about Long Island - y'know, where the five towns and Far Rockaway is! After all, you take the Long Island Railroad to get there, so that must be it! Well, apparantly it's not. So said my roommate.
So I asked: Then how is Long Island so big? What's it made of?
So we turned to that ever useful resource, Google maps. And it turns out that Long Island is indeed a pretty big island! It encompasses not only the traditional Long Island, but Brooklyn and Queens as well!! So now I can say I'm living on Long Island. Sounds much, much better ;)
But wait - there's more! Looking further at the map (I added borders), I realized that Manhattan is barely attached to New York, hanging just barely onto a tip of the state. Long Island, even more, is about 75% (if not more) on the Connecticut side of the border! Why it was attached to New York State, I'm not so sure. But it kinda makes sense to me why people from New York City think they're in their own state, and people in "Upstate" are in another hemisphere....
So the final outcome for me is that I'm saying that I'm from Long Island, CT. After all, that's what the map seems to show...and maps are never wrong. :)
In other news, communication is really really important in relationships. Thank you for teaching me that, hon.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Coincidence and Choices
Don't really have time to write too much - I have two essays due tomorrow and I haven't started, but I haven't posted in a while, and my thoughts are bursting out. So I'll share one.
Yesterday, I was supposed to meet a friend. I had a little extra time, so I decided to get off the stop before the one I really needed and walk down (even though it was pouring rain) to meet her, and visit the interesting sights (which there always are) along the way. On a whim, I stopped in a store. Not one I usually frequent; in fact, I hadn't even known that the store existed on that particular street! While browsing around, I (literally) bumped into a friend from home. Someone I'd pretty much lost touch with and haven't spoken to in ages. We talked for a bit, exchanged new phone numbers, and promised to meet over lunch or something. And the friend I was supposed to meet? She cancelled, so I stayed and talked with Friend #2 for far longer than I would have.
I got thinking about it. For some reason, I was supposed to meet her. I was so close to not walking into the store, so close to just walking past. After all, I have a ton of work to do!! But I made the choice to walk in - it was one of those times that I got to see the outcome of a choice I made almost immediately. Incredible!
(So tonight, when I realized I left my jacket at school after I'd already gotten to the subway, I went back to get it...after much thinking about it. But you can't expect to see outcomes that clearly two nights in a row!)
Yesterday, I was supposed to meet a friend. I had a little extra time, so I decided to get off the stop before the one I really needed and walk down (even though it was pouring rain) to meet her, and visit the interesting sights (which there always are) along the way. On a whim, I stopped in a store. Not one I usually frequent; in fact, I hadn't even known that the store existed on that particular street! While browsing around, I (literally) bumped into a friend from home. Someone I'd pretty much lost touch with and haven't spoken to in ages. We talked for a bit, exchanged new phone numbers, and promised to meet over lunch or something. And the friend I was supposed to meet? She cancelled, so I stayed and talked with Friend #2 for far longer than I would have.
I got thinking about it. For some reason, I was supposed to meet her. I was so close to not walking into the store, so close to just walking past. After all, I have a ton of work to do!! But I made the choice to walk in - it was one of those times that I got to see the outcome of a choice I made almost immediately. Incredible!
(So tonight, when I realized I left my jacket at school after I'd already gotten to the subway, I went back to get it...after much thinking about it. But you can't expect to see outcomes that clearly two nights in a row!)
Thursday, September 14, 2006
I'm starting a revolution
(whisper) "Smile. Pass it on."
I had a revelation on the train today. If you barely smile - just raise your lips slightly - the person sitting across from you notices. And, barely perceptably, that person's lips slightly rise. Smiles are catchy. But they're scary to do, especially when the person sitting next to you might be a serial killer. So I decided to start a revolution (when I have the funding).
I'm going to print out business cards that have nothing but a smily face and the above four words on them. I want to hand them out. There doesn't have to be any interaction, just the handing of a card to a person, and then leaving. People do it all the time for bars, passing out paper that just gets thrown on the floor...so why not for emotions? It has to be passed on, so hopefully too many won't get thrown out. And it's something that touches people, I think, so hopefully they'll actually pass it on!
So...if any of you have the funding and the guts to do it, you can take the credit - but start it!
I had a revelation on the train today. If you barely smile - just raise your lips slightly - the person sitting across from you notices. And, barely perceptably, that person's lips slightly rise. Smiles are catchy. But they're scary to do, especially when the person sitting next to you might be a serial killer. So I decided to start a revolution (when I have the funding).
I'm going to print out business cards that have nothing but a smily face and the above four words on them. I want to hand them out. There doesn't have to be any interaction, just the handing of a card to a person, and then leaving. People do it all the time for bars, passing out paper that just gets thrown on the floor...so why not for emotions? It has to be passed on, so hopefully too many won't get thrown out. And it's something that touches people, I think, so hopefully they'll actually pass it on!
So...if any of you have the funding and the guts to do it, you can take the credit - but start it!
Sunglasses, Part II
My sister sent me this link: http://www.slate.com/id/2149235/entry/2149511/
Apparantly, people who are very chic wear sunglasses indoors. I'm not chic, I'm friendly (or at least I try to be - see my upcoming post!). I'd rather not be chic, personally...it makes you have to be so standoffish and cold...
Apparantly, people who are very chic wear sunglasses indoors. I'm not chic, I'm friendly (or at least I try to be - see my upcoming post!). I'd rather not be chic, personally...it makes you have to be so standoffish and cold...
Monday, September 11, 2006
Dare to say something
I learned a valuable lesson on Friday.
I was waiting for a bus, just sitting on a bench minding my own business, and I noticed a frum girl sitting next to me. Actually, I'd noticed her before I sat down and thought, I guess now we'll studiously ignore each other...but I started to think. Really think. What will it hurt if I said hi to her?
Maybe I'll be embarrassed, maybe she'll say something incredibly nasty, look at me like I'm slime, scum of the earth, and move to sit out of the way of my contamination. But...maybe she's just shy. Maybe she's not smiling 'cause she's afraid of what I'm afraid of - not recieving a smile back. But then maybe I'm just as bad as all the people I complain about. Maybe I'm the one who's unfriendly and unsmiling...
S0 I put a smile on my face and said "Hello, I'm trw!" And, lo and behold, she looked at me and smiled back!
People, inside, are really kind (as a general rule). They're just shy. In some places, they're so sure of rejection that they're afraid to say hello. So try it. Just once. Smile at the person. It makes you feel better, 'cause you get that whole self rightous "I'm being nice" thing. And it certainly makes the other person feel better.
The world can be a lonely place. Or a lovely place. It's your decision.
I was waiting for a bus, just sitting on a bench minding my own business, and I noticed a frum girl sitting next to me. Actually, I'd noticed her before I sat down and thought, I guess now we'll studiously ignore each other...but I started to think. Really think. What will it hurt if I said hi to her?
Maybe I'll be embarrassed, maybe she'll say something incredibly nasty, look at me like I'm slime, scum of the earth, and move to sit out of the way of my contamination. But...maybe she's just shy. Maybe she's not smiling 'cause she's afraid of what I'm afraid of - not recieving a smile back. But then maybe I'm just as bad as all the people I complain about. Maybe I'm the one who's unfriendly and unsmiling...
S0 I put a smile on my face and said "Hello, I'm trw!" And, lo and behold, she looked at me and smiled back!
People, inside, are really kind (as a general rule). They're just shy. In some places, they're so sure of rejection that they're afraid to say hello. So try it. Just once. Smile at the person. It makes you feel better, 'cause you get that whole self rightous "I'm being nice" thing. And it certainly makes the other person feel better.
The world can be a lonely place. Or a lovely place. It's your decision.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
The Positive Side of the Monsey Catastrophe
I just came back from a wonderful Shabbos in Monsey. My hosts used paper plates and plastic silverware (oxymoron, I know), did not use many of their pots and pans, and constantly came up with more shailos to ask the rav over the course of their Shabbos.
Why? Because someone had been selling treif chickens as kosher ones. Enough has been said, I think, about the awfulness of the situation, the tircha that everyone now has to go through, the dishwashers and china that can't be kashered and therefore the money that is being spent...
But seeing it, for me, being a part of it - just for one Shabbos - just showed me how amazing my people are. The Jews of Monsey found out that there was a problem. It wasn't a sanitary problem, there was no dirt on the chickens (at least not visible), and to an outsider, it had to look pretty strange. I was reading a copy of the NY Times over someone's shoulder on the subway that showed a picture of a bunch of Chasidim waiting on a line to do hagala (one kind of ritual cleansing), and really wondered what the guy holding the paper thought about it...
I'll tell you what I thought about it: I thought, Hashem, Your people love you. They'll do anything for you. וכל מאודך indeed. When push came to shove, the people that I saw in Monsey rushed to remove this purely spiritual taint from their lives. No, there was no physical ramifications that one could see from the use of treif chicken on their plates. But the spiritual ramifications are so important to Your people that they will do anything, no matter what the cost, to remove them.
מי כעמך ישראל
Edit: I just heard (via Stx, who would know) that all the rabbis in Monsey got together and put out a statement that everyone should kasher according to what their specific rabbi tells them - and no person is allowed to make judgement on other people's kashrus. If you did what your rabbi told you to do, you're fine. If someone else's rabbi told them something else and they did it, then REGARDLESS of what the rabbi told them to do, you have to assume that their kitchen is kosher. It's all about שבעים פנים לתורה and אמונת חכמים.
Why? Because someone had been selling treif chickens as kosher ones. Enough has been said, I think, about the awfulness of the situation, the tircha that everyone now has to go through, the dishwashers and china that can't be kashered and therefore the money that is being spent...
But seeing it, for me, being a part of it - just for one Shabbos - just showed me how amazing my people are. The Jews of Monsey found out that there was a problem. It wasn't a sanitary problem, there was no dirt on the chickens (at least not visible), and to an outsider, it had to look pretty strange. I was reading a copy of the NY Times over someone's shoulder on the subway that showed a picture of a bunch of Chasidim waiting on a line to do hagala (one kind of ritual cleansing), and really wondered what the guy holding the paper thought about it...
I'll tell you what I thought about it: I thought, Hashem, Your people love you. They'll do anything for you. וכל מאודך indeed. When push came to shove, the people that I saw in Monsey rushed to remove this purely spiritual taint from their lives. No, there was no physical ramifications that one could see from the use of treif chicken on their plates. But the spiritual ramifications are so important to Your people that they will do anything, no matter what the cost, to remove them.
מי כעמך ישראל
Edit: I just heard (via Stx, who would know) that all the rabbis in Monsey got together and put out a statement that everyone should kasher according to what their specific rabbi tells them - and no person is allowed to make judgement on other people's kashrus. If you did what your rabbi told you to do, you're fine. If someone else's rabbi told them something else and they did it, then REGARDLESS of what the rabbi told them to do, you have to assume that their kitchen is kosher. It's all about שבעים פנים לתורה and אמונת חכמים.
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Clarification
I have to just add a bit about this place where I'm currently residing. When I have actually spoken to people, they have been exceedingly nice. I've been invited to countless places for Shabbos, and many people have offered to help me in so many ways.
Don't get me wrong. There are lots of nice things about this place.
It just takes some getting used to, and I'm not so used to it right now.
Don't get me wrong. There are lots of nice things about this place.
It just takes some getting used to, and I'm not so used to it right now.
TRT - Day 18 - The Country
Once upon a time, the people from Brooklyn got together and formed a Country. They have no ruler except the people themselves, (which, granted, can be pretty scary, so I guess it's okay). It's only a temporary Country, however, existing and functioning, strangely, only during the summer. People shut down businesses, homes, and stores, and flee the city to this oasis of...something. I've never heard a name for this Country (apparently for fear of the U.S. government realizing that they've seceded from the Union and created their own Country), and so people only talk about it vaguely and mysteriously, calling it The Country, or sometimes just "Upstate". Everyone who's in the "know" in Brooklyn knows which Country they mean, so there is no need for further explanation.
Now, toward the end of the summer, the inhabitants of The Country have begun coming back into Brooklyn, flowing back in droves. Although I'm told that they will leave again for their last holiday weekend before they must return to reality, I've noticed that They are back. The purse-carrying, makeup encrusted, sparkly, flat-shoed people are back! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
Must...regain...control...
In other news, foreigners who move to Brooklyn are really lovely, and I am extremely grateful to them :)
Now, toward the end of the summer, the inhabitants of The Country have begun coming back into Brooklyn, flowing back in droves. Although I'm told that they will leave again for their last holiday weekend before they must return to reality, I've noticed that They are back. The purse-carrying, makeup encrusted, sparkly, flat-shoed people are back! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!
Must...regain...control...
In other news, foreigners who move to Brooklyn are really lovely, and I am extremely grateful to them :)
Monday, August 21, 2006
TRT - Day 8
Sunglasses
Look. You don't need to wear them in the subway. It's dark in there. Really dark. Wearing them in the subway is a statement, and, IMHO, cowardly.
Essentially, you're saying: "Not only do I not want to meet your glance, but I might want to stare at you without you knowing. I'm cooler than you, and if you don't see my eyes, you can't see me at all! Nyah, nyah.."
You don't have to meet my eyes, it's ok. I know I might follow you home and kill you if you do, and you're worried. But a little smile never hurt anyone. A smirk, yes. A leer, definitely. But learn the difference and you'll be a much happier person.
In other news, people from my home town who have relocated here are lovely and friendly, as are random people who introduce me to supercool bookstores and theatre! :)
Look. You don't need to wear them in the subway. It's dark in there. Really dark. Wearing them in the subway is a statement, and, IMHO, cowardly.
Essentially, you're saying: "Not only do I not want to meet your glance, but I might want to stare at you without you knowing. I'm cooler than you, and if you don't see my eyes, you can't see me at all! Nyah, nyah.."
You don't have to meet my eyes, it's ok. I know I might follow you home and kill you if you do, and you're worried. But a little smile never hurt anyone. A smirk, yes. A leer, definitely. But learn the difference and you'll be a much happier person.
In other news, people from my home town who have relocated here are lovely and friendly, as are random people who introduce me to supercool bookstores and theatre! :)
Monday, August 14, 2006
Temporary Resident Tourist - Day 1
Key word: Positivity. Learn to laugh at self and at others rather than to be offended. I can do this. I can do this...maybe if I say it enough times, I'll believe it...
So the little-city-that-thinks-its-big-cause-its-near-the-big-city is funny.
I said good morning to the random lady I passed on the street, 'cause it was, and she looked at me like she wasn't sure if I was quite human. But there were people who distinctly smiled at me on my very first shopping trip in this crazy town, and the lady at Duane Reed was quite nice ('couse, she was African, and they're always friendly, so many it doesn't count).
I feel very stupid because I only speak (or somewhat understand) 2-3 of the millions of languages spoken by all the people. But it certainly motivates me to learn more!
The sky does get blue here! It's quite helpful for morale.
The big electronics store here doesn't carry ethernet cables. It's owned by frum people, so maybe they don't want to sell anything that can be a מכשול. Pretty impressive! But where's Radio Shack when you need them...?
I understand why so many Israelis move to Brooklyn. There're so many little holes in the wall where you can buy stuff, and they also use those black plastic bags!
Addendum:
Everyone uses Buicks! What do they see in them? (Aside from the whole looking-like-a-government-official thing...well...maybe that's it!)
So the little-city-that-thinks-its-big-cause-its-near-the-big-city is funny.
I said good morning to the random lady I passed on the street, 'cause it was, and she looked at me like she wasn't sure if I was quite human. But there were people who distinctly smiled at me on my very first shopping trip in this crazy town, and the lady at Duane Reed was quite nice ('couse, she was African, and they're always friendly, so many it doesn't count).
I feel very stupid because I only speak (or somewhat understand) 2-3 of the millions of languages spoken by all the people. But it certainly motivates me to learn more!
The sky does get blue here! It's quite helpful for morale.
The big electronics store here doesn't carry ethernet cables. It's owned by frum people, so maybe they don't want to sell anything that can be a מכשול. Pretty impressive! But where's Radio Shack when you need them...?
I understand why so many Israelis move to Brooklyn. There're so many little holes in the wall where you can buy stuff, and they also use those black plastic bags!
Addendum:
Everyone uses Buicks! What do they see in them? (Aside from the whole looking-like-a-government-official thing...well...maybe that's it!)
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Public Service Announcement
Attention world:
Lemme get one thing straight. I don't feel sorry for myself. I'm not sad, I'm not bitter, I'm certainly not depressed about my friends getting married. So stop assuming I am! I don't think I'm old, I don't think I'm over the hill, and you know what? It doesn't upset me that this summer, two of my best friends married people that will love them to pieces! I wish them only joy and a bayis ne'eman, and all good things in the world. Why would I feel otherwise? Why do you assume that I would חלילה wish anything but that? Part of loving someone is wishing only the best for them in life. And when my dear ones find their dear ones, that's amazing and wonderful and fantastic! :)
So stop feeling bad for me, stop pitying me. If I'm not sad for me, why should you be?
Lemme get one thing straight. I don't feel sorry for myself. I'm not sad, I'm not bitter, I'm certainly not depressed about my friends getting married. So stop assuming I am! I don't think I'm old, I don't think I'm over the hill, and you know what? It doesn't upset me that this summer, two of my best friends married people that will love them to pieces! I wish them only joy and a bayis ne'eman, and all good things in the world. Why would I feel otherwise? Why do you assume that I would חלילה wish anything but that? Part of loving someone is wishing only the best for them in life. And when my dear ones find their dear ones, that's amazing and wonderful and fantastic! :)
So stop feeling bad for me, stop pitying me. If I'm not sad for me, why should you be?
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Thank You
In the news: The Rosh Yeshiva at Mir suggested that none of the boys go on Bein Hazmanim. To paraphrase what I heard that he said, "if you're not fighting, then you'd better be learning."
Monday, July 31, 2006
The Obvious Difference
From Slate.com
Edit: The artist's name is Gary Varvel (not all of the posts on slate are that pro-israel...or rather, pro-honesty...but alas, such is modern media...)
Edit #2: For more inspirational pictures of the soldiers, see this (the words are in Hebrew, but the pictures are pretty self-explanatory ;) )
Edit: The artist's name is Gary Varvel (not all of the posts on slate are that pro-israel...or rather, pro-honesty...but alas, such is modern media...)
Edit #2: For more inspirational pictures of the soldiers, see this (the words are in Hebrew, but the pictures are pretty self-explanatory ;) )
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
I've been starving...
I'm a perpetual student. If something exists, I want to know about it - why, how, where...everything that there is to know, I want to know. It's why when friends ask me what I want for a gift, I tell them to look at my Amazon Wish List (which has no fiction on it). It's why Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis was a very thoughtful (and well-used) gift, and why I'm up to Unit 5 in "Alif Baa," an Arabic textbook. It's why I'm going to graduate school...forever ;)
So in the past few years, I've been studying hard, learning lots, and generally getting good grades (Baruch Hashem! ;) ). And...I've been starving. I didn't realize it until recently, but I was gasping for air, for the slightest breath. Caught up in all my work and studies, I barely noticed the lack - but now that I have it back, my world is brighter!
It's Torah.
Sounds cliché , perhaps, but it's true. Earlier this summer, in a weak moment, I told someone that I would give a shiur for women. I'm still not so sure why she asked me, but she did, and I said yes - and so I have to face the consequences. I returned to my high school and seminary notes, scrounging for topics. I borrowed books from all over to research the material. And I'm still terrified for the speech. But I'm feeling so accomplished, so content. There's really something amazing about learning Torah - it changes you, it affects you.
And so when I sit down to my banquet of preparation, every night, I relish each word, each letter. And I hope I never forget this feeling again. Learning is wonderful, but learning Truth...there's nothing like it.
So in the past few years, I've been studying hard, learning lots, and generally getting good grades (Baruch Hashem! ;) ). And...I've been starving. I didn't realize it until recently, but I was gasping for air, for the slightest breath. Caught up in all my work and studies, I barely noticed the lack - but now that I have it back, my world is brighter!
It's Torah.
Sounds cliché , perhaps, but it's true. Earlier this summer, in a weak moment, I told someone that I would give a shiur for women. I'm still not so sure why she asked me, but she did, and I said yes - and so I have to face the consequences. I returned to my high school and seminary notes, scrounging for topics. I borrowed books from all over to research the material. And I'm still terrified for the speech. But I'm feeling so accomplished, so content. There's really something amazing about learning Torah - it changes you, it affects you.
And so when I sit down to my banquet of preparation, every night, I relish each word, each letter. And I hope I never forget this feeling again. Learning is wonderful, but learning Truth...there's nothing like it.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Crazy situations...what can you do about Israel?
So I'm not really sure what to say about this matter...
I just want to reiterate what other bloggers have mentioned:
We have to be davening every day with major extra kavana (Scraps mentioned that "Individually or in groups, people are recommended to say the following perakim of Tehillim: 6, 13, 20, 22, 30, 79, 83, 121, 130, 142.") Keep an ear out for shul gatherings in your area for group tehillim.
Edit: The above tehillim are the ones we said at an incredibly intense gathering of seemingly the entire city at shul tonight, so I can confirm that they're the ones that have been "recommended."
Keep updated on the news. It's really important to know what's going on - these are our brothers and sisters we're talking about! I personally get my news from Jameel @ the Muqata (currently hosting fellow blogger Rock of Galilee and his family, refugees from the North...)
We have to focus on positive portrayals of Eretz Yisroel to all the confused people around us (at work, etc.) who (silly them) believe Western media. Here would be a good place to point out a great post of Olah Chadasha discussing the positive reactions of many of the Lebanese (and NOT Palestinian - don't mix them up!) toward Israel's invasion of their own country, which is amazing. But they hate the Hezbolla as well - they've been destroying their country for years!
Cross-Currents gives Top Ten list of "Ways to Help Israel," which I think is fairly insightful.
My personal one? When you're feeling an intense negative emotion about the small things in life ("oh, he cut me off; my friends don't like me; I'll never be able to..."), focus that emotion on the greater situation in כלל ישראל. It's not an easy exercise, but try it. You're feeling the emotion anyway...use it to focus outside of YOU and more into the US.
Other ideas? Let me know...
Edits:
Scraps mentioned that "Rav Elyashiv is recommending people say perakim 13, 70, 125, and 128 for the current matzav."
She also included other "up-to-the-minute" news bloggers:
www.israellycool.com/blog (IsraellyCool)
israelrules.blogspot.com
I also want to point out JBlogosphere's War post, which includes a live news feed, what-we-can-do, and a pretty long list of "up-to-the-minute" bloggers.
I just want to reiterate what other bloggers have mentioned:
We have to be davening every day with major extra kavana (Scraps mentioned that "Individually or in groups, people are recommended to say the following perakim of Tehillim: 6, 13, 20, 22, 30, 79, 83, 121, 130, 142.") Keep an ear out for shul gatherings in your area for group tehillim.
Edit: The above tehillim are the ones we said at an incredibly intense gathering of seemingly the entire city at shul tonight, so I can confirm that they're the ones that have been "recommended."
Keep updated on the news. It's really important to know what's going on - these are our brothers and sisters we're talking about! I personally get my news from Jameel @ the Muqata (currently hosting fellow blogger Rock of Galilee and his family, refugees from the North...)
We have to focus on positive portrayals of Eretz Yisroel to all the confused people around us (at work, etc.) who (silly them) believe Western media. Here would be a good place to point out a great post of Olah Chadasha discussing the positive reactions of many of the Lebanese (and NOT Palestinian - don't mix them up!) toward Israel's invasion of their own country, which is amazing. But they hate the Hezbolla as well - they've been destroying their country for years!
Cross-Currents gives Top Ten list of "Ways to Help Israel," which I think is fairly insightful.
My personal one? When you're feeling an intense negative emotion about the small things in life ("oh, he cut me off; my friends don't like me; I'll never be able to..."), focus that emotion on the greater situation in כלל ישראל. It's not an easy exercise, but try it. You're feeling the emotion anyway...use it to focus outside of YOU and more into the US.
Other ideas? Let me know...
Edits:
Scraps mentioned that "Rav Elyashiv is recommending people say perakim 13, 70, 125, and 128 for the current matzav."
She also included other "up-to-the-minute" news bloggers:
www.israellycool.com/blog (IsraellyCool)
israelrules.blogspot.com
I also want to point out JBlogosphere's War post, which includes a live news feed, what-we-can-do, and a pretty long list of "up-to-the-minute" bloggers.
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