Sadly, I must say, I now understand the recent actions of one of my favorite young jbloggers, who recently took the drastic step of deleting the contents of her popular blog.
A post, Orthodox Blogger Bullies," on a new to me blog, Chicago Carless revealed the sordid truth of why she had felt it necessary to delete the posts that told her honest, sometimes painfully honest personal and spiritual odyssey, from an ordinary American Christian girl to an Orthodox Jew.
Especially since I had met her last year in Jerusalem, when they was still married, I consider her more than just an intenet acquaintance and fellow jblogger.
Once someone converts to Torah Judaism, he/she is a Jew. And then, like all Jews, the personal spiritual journey will continue until the day we die. None of us are angels. We're all capable of being stubborn, making mistakes, even sinning, and also doing fantastically wonderful things, for people and G-d. We Jews must remember that the only one we must answer to is G-d, HaKodesh Baruch Hu.
There are so many mitzvot, commandments in so many varied categories. The "bookkeeping" is G-d's secret.
We're supposed to be doing teshuva, repentance all the time, constantly trying to improve ourselves. And it's between us and G-d. I hope that whoever it was (or they were) who made her decide to suppress her inner thoughts and life from public view will learn that the most important mitzvah to keep mehadrin is Derech Eretz.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Purim Left-Overs
No, this isn't a food post. It's a picture post. I'm always photographing, and sometimes I use the pictures, even more than once, and other times they're not seen/posted/used.
During the week or so before Purim, early Adar, one of the Rami Levi cashiers would show up to work dressed for Purim. I took a couple of photos of him with the intention of using them on Purim, but I didn't get around to it.
Well, it's still Adar, the month of Purim, so here are the pictures:
You can consider this post as part of Pesach cleaning. It's sure a lot more fun than scrubbing out the chametz. I guess I ought to do at least one small cleaning job before babysitting the grandkids....
During the week or so before Purim, early Adar, one of the Rami Levi cashiers would show up to work dressed for Purim. I took a couple of photos of him with the intention of using them on Purim, but I didn't get around to it.
Well, it's still Adar, the month of Purim, so here are the pictures:
You can consider this post as part of Pesach cleaning. It's sure a lot more fun than scrubbing out the chametz. I guess I ought to do at least one small cleaning job before babysitting the grandkids....
JPIX With Flair
For more information about JPIX and to submit your posts, click here.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sport, a Two Way Street
One of the great things about the Israeli (American) football games we go to is the reaction of the players after the game is over. The Jerusalem Big Blue Lions always thank their fans.
"4 P" Havel Havelim
We're in post-Purim, pre-Passover mode, making this week's Havel Havelim the "4 P" one. It's hosted very ably by Ya'aqov at Esser Agaroth. Visit, read the posts and share, thanks.Havel Havelim is the Jewish bloggers' floating internet magazine, which includes blog posts from jbloggers wherever jbloggers can be found. It's the responsibility for the jblogger to send in his/her link. Information about who's hosting the next one can be found on our facebook page, and I also try to keep up with the latest jblog carnival news on my blogs. Check the page tabs for the right one. To Kiss a Mezuza is next week's hostess; click here and send her a message with your post link.
There are two other jblog carnivals. The Kosher Cooking Carnival is monthly, and I'm hosting the one for Nissan in just over a week. Send your posts to me, please. And join our facebook page, too. I'm also the address for those who would like to host one. It's fun and can improve your blog statistics. The jblog carnivals I've hosted are among my most viewed posts ever.
JPIX is a picture post carnival on Jewish or Israeli topics. It's coordinated by Leora and also has a facebook page. To submit a link, click here.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
More Than Just a Game
I must brag if you don't mind.
My son's IFL real American football team in Israel, the Jerusalem Lions just completed a perfect wining season.
There's a certain ambiance at these Kraft Stadium games you'll find no place else in the world. Young mothers bring their kids who cheer:
And even family dogs join the excitement.
At last week's game, which was a make-up after the stadium had been totally flooded, there weren't too many people in the stands, but it was still pretty lively.
And for me, an extra bonus was seeing my jblogging friend Ruti Mizrachi. Even though she was there to cheer on the opposing team, we're really on the same side, because we know what's most important in this world. We both pray for the good health of all the players. And we consider sportsmanship to the the Derech Eretz lesson of playing. A "dirty" win is worse than a loss. And sport is a fun way of keeping fit and healthy.
Have a safe, healthy and wonderful week!
There's a certain ambiance at these Kraft Stadium games you'll find no place else in the world. Young mothers bring their kids who cheer:
"Yay, Abba (daddy)!"
And even family dogs join the excitement.
And for me, an extra bonus was seeing my jblogging friend Ruti Mizrachi. Even though she was there to cheer on the opposing team, we're really on the same side, because we know what's most important in this world. We both pray for the good health of all the players. And we consider sportsmanship to the the Derech Eretz lesson of playing. A "dirty" win is worse than a loss. And sport is a fun way of keeping fit and healthy.
Have a safe, healthy and wonderful week!
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Purim Pictures, Just a Few...
I didn't take a lot of pictures this Purim. That does happen sometimes. But of those I took, there are some nice ones. The costumes I saw were pretty standard. And I wore a wig as usual. Here are some Shiloh Purim sights for your viewing pleasure.
Two days of Purim immediately followed by Shabbat is a three day holiday/food fest. I've over-eaten past anything I've done the past few years. G-d willing, I've gotten the "urges" out of my system.
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| The most creative and the only theme-based Mishloach Manot we got this year. |
Two days of Purim immediately followed by Shabbat is a three day holiday/food fest. I've over-eaten past anything I've done the past few years. G-d willing, I've gotten the "urges" out of my system.
Friday, March 09, 2012
Just Another Few Hours, One Megillah Reading and One Bread-Meal of Purim Left
There are times when our two day Purim marathon can get a bit tedious and this year is one of the worst.
Today is Shushan Purim, celebrated wherever there were city walls of the right sort at the right time and in places where there may have been the right walls at the right time. And in the "may have been places," we must celebrate both days, regular Purim and Shushan Purim. That's not so terrible most years, but this year Shushan Purim is Friday and Friday is stressful Shabbat preparation day. So I'm all stressed out. My husband is in Jerusalem for work, so I have a lot on my plate, and it isn't a yummy salad.
I'll post my long Purim post post-Purim. Here's a video I took yesterday of neighbors celebrating.
Enjoy!
Today is Shushan Purim, celebrated wherever there were city walls of the right sort at the right time and in places where there may have been the right walls at the right time. And in the "may have been places," we must celebrate both days, regular Purim and Shushan Purim. That's not so terrible most years, but this year Shushan Purim is Friday and Friday is stressful Shabbat preparation day. So I'm all stressed out. My husband is in Jerusalem for work, so I have a lot on my plate, and it isn't a yummy salad.
I'll post my long Purim post post-Purim. Here's a video I took yesterday of neighbors celebrating.
Enjoy!
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Fancy Coffee From Rami Levi?
If you're not a coffee drinker, then you may want to skip this or just share the link with those who do love their coffee.
It's in the news that Rami Levi wants to start marketing those fancy coffeemakers that make one cup at a time with a pre-measured "pod," of ground coffee beans to make a cup of coffee. I'm familiar with those machines. I've been served that type of coffee by relatives in the states, and last summer we stayed at a hotel that had those machines in the rooms, so we could make ourselves coffee.
The little pre-packed "pods" were kosher, with certification, so I was able to drink the coffee from them. All I needed to buy was some milk and disposable coffee cups. It's a very easy way to prepare delicious coffee, but it gets expensive if you drink a lot of coffee. Since I drink the equivalent of 3-4 cups each morning, it did get annoying to have to make each cup separately. But if you're trying to cut down on coffee, having one of these makes it easier. One of the reasons they haven't taken off in Israel is the fact that fewer Israelis live alone than people in America, for instance. We have larger families and rarely make "just one cup" of coffee. We socialize at home.
Granted, using these coffee makers for a good cup of coffee costs much less money than buying a cup of coffee of that quality out. And it's a very no fuss way to make the coffee. There's almost no cleaning, since you just throw out the used container and don't have to fuss with the dirty coffee grinds.
Considering Rami Levi's track record, he may be right.
The little pre-packed "pods" were kosher, with certification, so I was able to drink the coffee from them. All I needed to buy was some milk and disposable coffee cups. It's a very easy way to prepare delicious coffee, but it gets expensive if you drink a lot of coffee. Since I drink the equivalent of 3-4 cups each morning, it did get annoying to have to make each cup separately. But if you're trying to cut down on coffee, having one of these makes it easier. One of the reasons they haven't taken off in Israel is the fact that fewer Israelis live alone than people in America, for instance. We have larger families and rarely make "just one cup" of coffee. We socialize at home.
Granted, using these coffee makers for a good cup of coffee costs much less money than buying a cup of coffee of that quality out. And it's a very no fuss way to make the coffee. There's almost no cleaning, since you just throw out the used container and don't have to fuss with the dirty coffee grinds.
Considering Rami Levi's track record, he may be right.
Something Pretty For Purim
Here are some of the Mishloach Manot, Purim food gifts, we'll be giving this year. Actually, there isn't much to them, but the wrapping gives it an extra sparkle. Inside there are a small homemade/baked challah roll and some candy. We can't afford anything fancy or expensive. The containers didn't cost anything. Of course, I won't be offended if people just pass the candy to other recipients until it gets to someone who is allowed it. I do recommend eating the challah, even as a snack with some sweet butter. I also made a giant batch of vegetable soup. Some neighbors will be getting a jar of it with a challah.
Maybe I'll bake cakes for tomorrow's Purim. We have two here in Shiloh.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
Yemenite for "The Night"
In all honesty, it was for a whole night, just a short while.
I'm one of those Purim "killjoys" who hates and condemns the festive noise during the reading of Megillat (Scroll of) Esther. I find it physically painful and it totally prevents me from following the reading. And we're supposed to read/follow it.
I usually go to private home readings, but this year I couldn't find one. Our community's rabbi had made a proclamation that we should all go to "main" readings in the synagogues, at least on the first night, for the sake of unity. Some of the homes I've been going to announced that they would honor the rabbi's request. I was stuck and didn't feel like making phone calls.
For the past few years I'd heard that the Yemenite minyan, which is actually in our shul's building, reads the Megilat Esther very quietly. It's not acceptable to make noise. I was a bit nervous about going, not G-d forbid for any social/cultural reason, because I wasn't sure I'd be able to follow the traditional Yemenite accent. I've heard the Megilla sufficient times, 30x4 since we're in Shiloh and more than twenty beforehand, so that the different chanting tune shouldn't be a problem.
The Yemenite minyan is pretty small, and many Yemenite families take their children to the other more "festive" readings. They made room for all of us (I wasn't the only Ashkenaz fleeing the banging and cap guns) and even expanded the women's section. I wasn't the only Ashkenazic woman who became Yemenite for the night.
I must admit that I didn't follow the reading at all, certainly less than 50%. It certainly would improve if I adopted going to their reading every year. And we could hear the noise, a bit muffled, from the reading in our shul. I was very happy not to have been in my regular seat. I wouldn't have survived.
It's nice to have choice.
I usually go to private home readings, but this year I couldn't find one. Our community's rabbi had made a proclamation that we should all go to "main" readings in the synagogues, at least on the first night, for the sake of unity. Some of the homes I've been going to announced that they would honor the rabbi's request. I was stuck and didn't feel like making phone calls.
For the past few years I'd heard that the Yemenite minyan, which is actually in our shul's building, reads the Megilat Esther very quietly. It's not acceptable to make noise. I was a bit nervous about going, not G-d forbid for any social/cultural reason, because I wasn't sure I'd be able to follow the traditional Yemenite accent. I've heard the Megilla sufficient times, 30x4 since we're in Shiloh and more than twenty beforehand, so that the different chanting tune shouldn't be a problem.
I must admit that I didn't follow the reading at all, certainly less than 50%. It certainly would improve if I adopted going to their reading every year. And we could hear the noise, a bit muffled, from the reading in our shul. I was very happy not to have been in my regular seat. I wouldn't have survived.
It's nice to have choice.
Chag Purim Sameach!
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Books Are Waiting... A Book Review, "Destiny's Call"
Two types of books are waiting. I have the books I've promised to review and the books cooking in my head.One of those I must review and have already read is Destiny's Call by Ben-Tzion Spitz. I read the book on a Shabbat afternoon a couple of weeks ago. It's a quick-reading book, actually designed as food for thought about the weekly Parshot Shavua, Torah Portions of the Week from the first book of the Torah, Chumash, Bible, Bereishit.
Destiny's Call brings to life scenes, stories and characters from the Book of Genesis. In captivating fictional short stories, Destiny's Call gives a glimpse of the struggles of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, the birth and conflicts of the Tribes of Israel, and a deeper exploration of some of the colorful characters depicted in the Bible. Destiny's Call relies heavily on biblical and archeological sources. The book includes questions for discussion, detailed hand-drawn maps of the ancient world, recreated genealogical records and timeline, an index of biblical references, and a glossary of biblical terms. Ben-Tzion Spitz is the author of the Torah Shorts blog (at ben-tzion.com), where he has published dozens of biblical fiction stories and biblical analysis based on ancient, medieval and contemporary sources. Spitz has been exploring and researching biblical stories and archeological findings for over two decades. He is also the creator and lecturer of the Biblical Fiction series in Jerusalem, Israel.Simply put, it's Spitz's midrashim, commentary on the Bible, based on traditional sources and his imagination. It's easy reading, recommended as "young adult." For English-speakers, I guess that means junior high, even a gift for Bar/Bat Mitzvah. It would be a gift they could immediately appreciate, not one of those books to be stored on the shelf for a decade or two.
Destiny's Call by Ben-Tzion Spitz is also a good book for those who are not very familiar with traditional Jewish commentary and sources, because there are explanations.
For ESL or EFL students, it's more on a high school level. And for those non-English speaking/reading adults who wish to improve their English and don't want secular books and articles, it's an enjoyable and interesting book to read. Destiny's Call is recommended and would make a great Afikomen or any other sort of present.
One of the books that has been rattling around in my head, and very partially written on the computer, is my own little story on Biblical Shiloh. Having read Spitz's book, the characters in mine have gotten louder.
Monday, March 05, 2012
Taking Off The Wraps, Good Timing
At work, Yafiz, Sha'ar Binyamin, we have been preparing for the spring Holiday collection. G-d has been cooperating in helping us sell out the winter clearance sale clothes by giving us a nice full wet winter. Last night we began moving all of the remaining winter clothes into the outer part of the store. The spring/summer/Holiday apparel is all waiting tagged/priced etc in boxes.
And today the sun is shining for a change. We can use some more rain, but we can also use a few days of sun.
From my vantage point here in the den, the sky looks solid blue. That's very energizing for us, for me. I have a laundry in the machine and another planned. I'll be able to hang the wash out in the sun.
So, if any of you live in the area, you'll have a real treat if you come into the store. Ask for me. Maybe I'll be working when you come to shop.
And today the sun is shining for a change. We can use some more rain, but we can also use a few days of sun.
From my vantage point here in the den, the sky looks solid blue. That's very energizing for us, for me. I have a laundry in the machine and another planned. I'll be able to hang the wash out in the sun.
So, if any of you live in the area, you'll have a real treat if you come into the store. Ask for me. Maybe I'll be working when you come to shop.
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Debut Havel Havelim at A Soldier's Mother
Enjoy and have a great week!
PS Here's the information about all the jblog carnivals.
Havel Havelim-To host either contact me or check out our facebook page
Jan. 22 Havel Havelim by Isramom. Jan. 29 HH Beneath the Wings. Feb. 5 HH Israel Situation. Feb. 12 HH Esser Agaroth Feb. 19 HH, To Kiss a Mezuzah
Feb. 26 Bima Ima
March 5 A Soldier's Mother
March 11 Ya'aqov send to esseragaroth@gmail.com
Kosher Cooking Carnival-To host contact me
Sh'vat Kosher Cooking Carnival is at This American Bite. Adar KCC at Cooking Outside the Box. Submit your links to for Adar at me-ander send to me.
JPIX-To host contact blog@leoraw.com
March 12 at Ilana-Davita click http://www.leoraw.com/blog/jpix/
For The First Time Ever!! See The Pictures To Prove It
All of the "guides to being a perfect Jewish house-frau" include getting the Shabbat table set before lighting candles. I have something to confess. That's something in my forty-plus years of marriage, I've never managed to do. I remember, as a young mother, looking in total confusion at neighbors' diningroom table on a Thursday,already set for Friday night. It made no sense to me. Setting the table was always something I did when my husband was in shul.
In recent years, the diningroom table has become our eating and computer table. The laptop, which I'm using right now, sits on it from soon after Shabbat until a short while before Shabbat. So, there's no way it can be set for the leil Shabbat, Friday night meal, even Friday afternoon.
But somehow, even though it's still winter, and Shabbat comes in pretty early, and we were unexpectedly expecting guests, I found myself with enough time before candle-lighting to set the table, just after my husband stored the computer in one of the spare bedrooms.
I quickly set the table and took pictures! This is how the table looks. And when the young couple who were our guests popped in on the way to shul to drop off the wine and challah, the table was waiting, looking very impressive, nu?
In recent years, the diningroom table has become our eating and computer table. The laptop, which I'm using right now, sits on it from soon after Shabbat until a short while before Shabbat. So, there's no way it can be set for the leil Shabbat, Friday night meal, even Friday afternoon.
But somehow, even though it's still winter, and Shabbat comes in pretty early, and we were unexpectedly expecting guests, I found myself with enough time before candle-lighting to set the table, just after my husband stored the computer in one of the spare bedrooms.
I quickly set the table and took pictures! This is how the table looks. And when the young couple who were our guests popped in on the way to shul to drop off the wine and challah, the table was waiting, looking very impressive, nu?
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Easy Come Easy Go Snow...
As quickly as the snow fell, it began to melt and rain rained. Compare these pictures to the snowy ones photographed just a short time before from my dry and warmer (than outside) house.
Though many of us in Israel, at least in Shiloh where I live, admit that the rain has been inconveniencing us at times, we have no complaints. We recognize that rain is very important, crucial to life and thank G-d for every drop.
Watch this beautiful paean to the rain. You don't need to understand Hebrew; it's pictures and music. Winter is when all the low areas are supposed to flood, just like you see in the various photos.
Though many of us in Israel, at least in Shiloh where I live, admit that the rain has been inconveniencing us at times, we have no complaints. We recognize that rain is very important, crucial to life and thank G-d for every drop.
Watch this beautiful paean to the rain. You don't need to understand Hebrew; it's pictures and music. Winter is when all the low areas are supposed to flood, just like you see in the various photos.
Friday, March 02, 2012
It's Snowing in Shiloh, March 2, 2012, The 8th of Adar, 5772
Let's start with the still pictures and then the video for extra proof:
May everyone have a safe and healthy and peaceful Shabbat.
May everyone have a safe and healthy and peaceful Shabbat.
Still Wondering...
I guess you know that I always go around armed with my camera. It's in my oversized Coach "fanny pack." That full "pouch" I wear gives me the silhouette of a fat or pregnant woman. Only on Shabbat do people see what I really look like... But that's not the story I'm telling, sorry.
A few weeks ago while walking in Jerusalem to Matan, I spied this clothing on the side of the road, and it got me wondering. What was it doing there? So, as usual, I just whipped out my camera, so I could post it and let you try to imagine a story...
They look like pajama bottoms, so what are they doing there? Click comment and send in your guess, thanks.
A few weeks ago while walking in Jerusalem to Matan, I spied this clothing on the side of the road, and it got me wondering. What was it doing there? So, as usual, I just whipped out my camera, so I could post it and let you try to imagine a story...
They look like pajama bottoms, so what are they doing there? Click comment and send in your guess, thanks.
Thursday, March 01, 2012
You Can Always Talk About The Weather...
And you can always blog about it, too.
Westbankmama blogged about it today, making a competition to see which Israeli location will top its average rainfall first.
Average rainfall is too low, because it averages in drought years, so if we keep having above average rainfall, the bar will be raised and the new average will be higher than the present low one. That would be very good.
As you probably know, I work in Yafiz, the clothing chain of Rami Levi, and everyday people come in desperate for winter clothes and boots. Whatever they had been wearing has worn out, or the kids grew out of the clothes/boots/shoes.
This year we're having a full winter, thank G-d.
Would you believe that the following picture was taken mid-day?
It does look dark. I took both photos from inside the shoe store.
Westbankmama blogged about it today, making a competition to see which Israeli location will top its average rainfall first.
Average rainfall is too low, because it averages in drought years, so if we keep having above average rainfall, the bar will be raised and the new average will be higher than the present low one. That would be very good.
As you probably know, I work in Yafiz, the clothing chain of Rami Levi, and everyday people come in desperate for winter clothes and boots. Whatever they had been wearing has worn out, or the kids grew out of the clothes/boots/shoes.
This year we're having a full winter, thank G-d.
Would you believe that the following picture was taken mid-day?
It does look dark. I took both photos from inside the shoe store.
It's Raining And Storming
No snow here, but the rain is cold. It's windy and it's still dark outside. Yes, I'm already up. There had been snow alerts, and last night someone on facebook said her daughter reported snow where she studies, but not here. It depends on how high the mountain. For Israel, we're high but not high enough so far. We've had snow, many times.
Rain doesn't make such pretty pictures, at least at first glance. But without the rain, we'll all die.
This year's oranges and other citrus fruits are the most delicious we've had for years. That's because our first rains were on time. "On time" in our part of he world means about a week after Simchat Torah, early fall. And it rained more than once early in the season. Without rain, the fruit is dry and bitter. Artificial irrigation just doesn't make the same sort of flavor, juiciness.
I don't mind posting old snow pictures. I just don't feel like being snowed in. It's no fun in an "empty nest."
"Mixed snow and rain" is the forecast for Shabbat. The roads will be dangerous the next few days, because near Ofra and Beit El it will be icy and slushy. I was in an accident around there a few years ago. Thank G-d we weren't hurt.
Stay safe.
Rain doesn't make such pretty pictures, at least at first glance. But without the rain, we'll all die.
This year's oranges and other citrus fruits are the most delicious we've had for years. That's because our first rains were on time. "On time" in our part of he world means about a week after Simchat Torah, early fall. And it rained more than once early in the season. Without rain, the fruit is dry and bitter. Artificial irrigation just doesn't make the same sort of flavor, juiciness.
I don't mind posting old snow pictures. I just don't feel like being snowed in. It's no fun in an "empty nest."
"Mixed snow and rain" is the forecast for Shabbat. The roads will be dangerous the next few days, because near Ofra and Beit El it will be icy and slushy. I was in an accident around there a few years ago. Thank G-d we weren't hurt.
Stay safe.
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