I think it's appalling what I've noticed about Judaism. I understand that keeping kosher and Shabbos are important. However, I just can't get over the way people think it's ok to do all these other things that no one considers ok, even if they are doing it.
For starters, people in the regular society sleep around and such. Their reaction is, "I'm an adult, I can do whatever I want." Even though this has become common practice, I don't think anyone really thinks this is right, not even the people that do it. It's more about they don't care what's right, everyone else is doing this and no one is going to tell them what to do (hmmm.... ok this doesn't jive with my last post... but, hey).
Unfortunately for the Jewish people, instead the reaction is, "I do the right thing because I keep kosher and Shabbos, so if I want to sleep around, I'm not violating any Jewish laws."
It's time the rabbis start speaking out about some of the things going on in the religious world. I'm not the only one who feels this way. I recently saw that some posts online about the behavior of yeshivah bochurim. I've seen complaints about how they get goyishly drunk at weddings. I've seen how me samayach at weddings has turned into this license for these men to drop any decorim they might have in favor of drunken rowdiness.
This is not something I have seen first hand. I've actually not yet been to a Jewish wedding. However, I ran across complaints in completely different places on the the internet. I also saw that more than one person stated they can't believe rabbis aren't speaking out about this. The last post I read about this, they stated there were rabbis at the wedding witnessing this and they didn't say anything.
When the rabbis give their d'var Torahs, they are challenging the people to be a better person. Are they not? So, I challenge the rabbis to roll up their sleeves and really challenge the Jewish people to truly be on a level higher than all the goyim, instead of this refusal to acknowledge the heavy influence.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Live your own life, please
I would just like to take a minute to vent about the way everyone in the Orthodox Jewish world feels they have the right to butt into my life. What does it matter to them if I've been on a date in the last month or not? Not to mention, they should do some research into shidduchim and it's history.
Shadchans are only supposed to be suggesting matches that are compatible. If I tell them I don't have a TV and I want to cover my hair and rarely with a sheitel, their response is to set me up with a guy who wants a TV and wife who doesn't cover. In fact two different shadchans have tried to set me up with this same guy. I found his Facebook profile, he's looking for "random play" and he is Conservative. They think that a gyoress should be put with someone who sleeps around. Save those other guys for the good little FFBs.
So, ok, fine, I didn't have to convert, so why should I get anyone decent? Fine, I got it. However, then let me decide to stay single. Are you kidding me? We can't do that! Now that I'm Jewish, everyone can tell me what to do. I don't tell them how to live their lives, I wish they wouldn't tell me what to do with mine. It's that simple.
Shadchans are only supposed to be suggesting matches that are compatible. If I tell them I don't have a TV and I want to cover my hair and rarely with a sheitel, their response is to set me up with a guy who wants a TV and wife who doesn't cover. In fact two different shadchans have tried to set me up with this same guy. I found his Facebook profile, he's looking for "random play" and he is Conservative. They think that a gyoress should be put with someone who sleeps around. Save those other guys for the good little FFBs.
So, ok, fine, I didn't have to convert, so why should I get anyone decent? Fine, I got it. However, then let me decide to stay single. Are you kidding me? We can't do that! Now that I'm Jewish, everyone can tell me what to do. I don't tell them how to live their lives, I wish they wouldn't tell me what to do with mine. It's that simple.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Bo from 2007
The beginning of parshah Bo is the remainder of the ten plagues from Va Era. Moses warns the Pharaoh that locusts are next. They will eat all that has been leftover from the last plague, hail. So Pharaoh’s people convince him to concede, which does... almost. He stops to ask who will be going to worship G-d in the desert. When he finds out that the daughters and livestock will be going and not just the males, he changes his mind.
So, come the locusts to cover the land and eat the remainder of the land, as mentioned above. Pharaoh can’t take it. He calls for Moses and Aaron, “enough already, I’ll let you go, ok.” Ah, if it were only that easy. G-d made Pharaoh’s heart hard and he once again didn’t let the Israelite leave.
The ninth plague was darkness, darkness everywhere. Pharaoh acquiesced but, changed his mind. He was on a bit of a role with that.
Ah, the TENTH and FINAL plague: death of the first born. Now this was such a fitting plague. The Egyptians had this and that way of going after the first born. First they asked the midwives: Shifrah and Puah to check the birthstool for male babies and exterminate them. When they made excuses, then the Egyptians just decreed for the male babies to be thrown into the river. Now it was payback, all their first born males, animals and people, including Pharaoh’s son died around midnight.
This is when Nisan was instituted as the first month of the year because this is when the Israelites left slavery that had lasted more than a generation. Thus, these Israelites had spent their whole lives as slaves to Egypt. Pesach, the holiday that is upon us, started right here in this parshah. One was to pick out their lamb on the tenth of Nisan and then hold on to it until the fourteenth of Nisan.
On the fourteenth of Nisan, all Israelites would slaughter their lamb in the afternoon. They would then put the blood on the three sides of the doorframe on the outside. The lamb was roasted over a fire. Any left over was to be burned. It was to be eaten in haste.
The blood on the doorposts will cause G-d to pass over that house and not afflict it. From there it is discussed that one should clear their homes of anything leavened and they will not eat anything leavened for the duration of the Festival of Matzahs. It stresses that one does not get out of this if they are a convert or living outside of Israel. The Israelites did this exactly.
The final plague was exacted. Someone died in every house. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. He was so ticked, he not only let them leave, he couldn’t wait to get rid of them. So the people had to leave without their dough rising. They also borrowed gold and silver from the Egyptians.
It goes on to state that no gentile man may eat the passover sacrifice. They can become covenanted to G-d but, they may not eat it without that covenant (circumcision).
All first born males that initiate the womb, both man and beast must be sanctified unto G-d. Also, the Festival of Matzahs will continue for all time. We must explain to our child that we keep this festival because G-d acted on our behalf.
This is personalized for me because G-d has just delivered me from Harlem, a land very much NOT flowing with milk and honey to here in Queens, just in time to be fresh on my mind for my first Pesah.
These words will be included in the Tefillin. Passover will be a law for all time. This is where the redemption of the first born was instituted. All of this is because G-d brought us out of Egypt (and in my case, Harlem). We must remember G-d and his mercy to deliver us from our oppressors.
So, come the locusts to cover the land and eat the remainder of the land, as mentioned above. Pharaoh can’t take it. He calls for Moses and Aaron, “enough already, I’ll let you go, ok.” Ah, if it were only that easy. G-d made Pharaoh’s heart hard and he once again didn’t let the Israelite leave.
The ninth plague was darkness, darkness everywhere. Pharaoh acquiesced but, changed his mind. He was on a bit of a role with that.
Ah, the TENTH and FINAL plague: death of the first born. Now this was such a fitting plague. The Egyptians had this and that way of going after the first born. First they asked the midwives: Shifrah and Puah to check the birthstool for male babies and exterminate them. When they made excuses, then the Egyptians just decreed for the male babies to be thrown into the river. Now it was payback, all their first born males, animals and people, including Pharaoh’s son died around midnight.
This is when Nisan was instituted as the first month of the year because this is when the Israelites left slavery that had lasted more than a generation. Thus, these Israelites had spent their whole lives as slaves to Egypt. Pesach, the holiday that is upon us, started right here in this parshah. One was to pick out their lamb on the tenth of Nisan and then hold on to it until the fourteenth of Nisan.
On the fourteenth of Nisan, all Israelites would slaughter their lamb in the afternoon. They would then put the blood on the three sides of the doorframe on the outside. The lamb was roasted over a fire. Any left over was to be burned. It was to be eaten in haste.
The blood on the doorposts will cause G-d to pass over that house and not afflict it. From there it is discussed that one should clear their homes of anything leavened and they will not eat anything leavened for the duration of the Festival of Matzahs. It stresses that one does not get out of this if they are a convert or living outside of Israel. The Israelites did this exactly.
The final plague was exacted. Someone died in every house. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. He was so ticked, he not only let them leave, he couldn’t wait to get rid of them. So the people had to leave without their dough rising. They also borrowed gold and silver from the Egyptians.
It goes on to state that no gentile man may eat the passover sacrifice. They can become covenanted to G-d but, they may not eat it without that covenant (circumcision).
All first born males that initiate the womb, both man and beast must be sanctified unto G-d. Also, the Festival of Matzahs will continue for all time. We must explain to our child that we keep this festival because G-d acted on our behalf.
This is personalized for me because G-d has just delivered me from Harlem, a land very much NOT flowing with milk and honey to here in Queens, just in time to be fresh on my mind for my first Pesah.
These words will be included in the Tefillin. Passover will be a law for all time. This is where the redemption of the first born was instituted. All of this is because G-d brought us out of Egypt (and in my case, Harlem). We must remember G-d and his mercy to deliver us from our oppressors.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Modest is the best (poem)
A women looks best
When she is modest
It won’t hurt us
To be shomer skirtus
It’s very tzin-us
To cover your knee-us
A good Jewish girl knows
She must cover her elbows
It would be a wreck
If the collar was too far from the neck
I must confide
My body, do I hide
It’s not a goof,
Some like stockings bullet proof
Married Jewish women wear
Something to cover their hair
So, the way to be
is modest, you see...
When she is modest
It won’t hurt us
To be shomer skirtus
It’s very tzin-us
To cover your knee-us
A good Jewish girl knows
She must cover her elbows
It would be a wreck
If the collar was too far from the neck
I must confide
My body, do I hide
It’s not a goof,
Some like stockings bullet proof
Married Jewish women wear
Something to cover their hair
So, the way to be
is modest, you see...
Va'era D'var Torah (written 2007)
As always, the Hebrew lineage is established. In fact, the Levite lineage which was established last parshah, was established again.
The Tetragrammaton tells Moses to go to Pharoah and ask to let the Hebrew people leave to go out to the desert to worship their G-d, (the one not listed in Pharoah’s book). He tells Moses up front that Pharoah’s heart will be hardened. That’s pretty much how it goes. There are some plagues, Pharoah says he’ll let the Hebrew people go. He changes his mind. There are more plagues. He’ll let them go. He changes his mind. Also, Pharoah’s sorcerers can reproduce the plague but, only partially. It appears this makes him less willing to give in to the plagues and their Creator.
This is the parshah of the ten plagues. It was noted that the first nine can be broken down into three sets of three. In each of the first of three plagues, the warning was given to Pharoah at the Nile. In the second of three plagues, the warning was given at the palace. For the third plagues in each set, no warning was given. The tenth plague stands on it’s own. This was the plague of the first born son.
Another point to be made is that each plague was a response to the various stripped titles the Egyptians gave to the Hebrews.
On a personal note, He does always do what he says. I mean, that should go without saying, but, I’m saying it. The Tetragrammaton keeps his promises whether they are joyful or filled with dismay.
The Tetragrammaton tells Moses to go to Pharoah and ask to let the Hebrew people leave to go out to the desert to worship their G-d, (the one not listed in Pharoah’s book). He tells Moses up front that Pharoah’s heart will be hardened. That’s pretty much how it goes. There are some plagues, Pharoah says he’ll let the Hebrew people go. He changes his mind. There are more plagues. He’ll let them go. He changes his mind. Also, Pharoah’s sorcerers can reproduce the plague but, only partially. It appears this makes him less willing to give in to the plagues and their Creator.
This is the parshah of the ten plagues. It was noted that the first nine can be broken down into three sets of three. In each of the first of three plagues, the warning was given to Pharoah at the Nile. In the second of three plagues, the warning was given at the palace. For the third plagues in each set, no warning was given. The tenth plague stands on it’s own. This was the plague of the first born son.
Another point to be made is that each plague was a response to the various stripped titles the Egyptians gave to the Hebrews.
On a personal note, He does always do what he says. I mean, that should go without saying, but, I’m saying it. The Tetragrammaton keeps his promises whether they are joyful or filled with dismay.
Parsha Shemos- my summary (written 2007)
This parshah, Shemot, starts of reestablishing the Hebrew lineage up until that point. Then it talks about the new king arising that feels threatened by the Hebrew people. So, he chooses to lash out at them, not of just cause, but of fear that they could do something to him, if they wanted to.
Besides overtaxing and slave driving the Hebrews, they asked the midwives who deliver their babies to kill all boy babies. However, these women, just lied and told the king the women delivered without midwives, before they got there. So a new decree was issued: just throw the boys into the Nile!
They establish that they are about to tell the birth history for a Levite child. The child was rescued from the side of the Nile by Pharoah’s daughter. She names him Moses, for she drew him out of the water. She raises him, but he somehow maintains his Hebrew identity since he sticks up for the Hebrew who is being picked on by the Egyptian.
When Pharoah found out his adoptive grandson was in touch with his Hebrew heritage, he wanted his head. So, Moses had to flee to Midian, where he found his wife, Zipporah. They had a son, Gershom.
Time had passed and so, the Pharoah and king in Egypt passed away. The Hebrew people there, got a break from the hard labor that was put on them at the very start of this book (and parshah.) So, G-d gives Moses the mission to go back to Egypt and take the Hebrew people out of there. He warns him that it won’t be easy. Pharoah will be stubborn.
One of the most important aspects of this parshah is introduction of another name of G-d. The Tetragrammaton actually translates into a powerful statement about His various omni qualities. The name of the Tetragrammaton actually means “I was, I am, I will be.” On one hand, this is a testament to His existence across the timeline. One the other hand, it is a commitment to each and every one of us. All you have to do is put the words, “there for you” at the end of the name. The result is a statement that He was, is and ALWAYS will be there for you.
Another reassurance in this parshah is the Tetragrammaton’s mercy. When Moses was asked to speak on His behalf, he did not want to do it because he is not an eloquent speaker. Moses begged to not to be asked to this. The Tetragrammaton reassures him that it will be fine because after all, He is the one who makes things fine or not fine. However, Moses just couldn’t grasp that peace of mind and begged again because all he can think is that he is not an eloquent speaker. Well, He gives in and gives sends his brother, Aaron to speak for him. Now someone in shul asked why the tetragrammaton gave in to his lack of faith. I think it is so obvious: because He is merciful, even when we are lacking.
This parshah can also be used to debunk the concepts that are the basis of the christian faith. After all, if His name defines a timeline of existence then the idea that He became a finite being is absolutely preposterous. Additionally, He speaks of His powers again when He reassures Moshe that he will be able to speak to the Hebrew people. If one acknowledges His power, then that person is a lemech to think He is not powerful enough to decide how He issues rights to the kingdom, as is taught in that other faith.
I found the section about the circumcision confusing, but, now, it’s clearer. When the Tetragrammaton tells Moses that his first born son is Israel who should be sent out to worship Him. He is telling him, your first born son has a destiny for the Hebrew people and thus, he MUST be covenanted. At least that’s what’s it seems to me. When Jacob was referred to as Israel in the last book, it was because that statement had bearing on the Hebrew destiny. For whatever reason, Moses doesn’t stop his travels for the circumcision. However, Zipporah, his wife, represented women in a positive light by doing it for Moses.
The last part of the parshah establishes the fact that the Hebrew people were made as slaves. They were expected to work for no pay. They were beaten when they didn’t meet quotas. They were not permitted to leave. I would call that slavery.
Besides overtaxing and slave driving the Hebrews, they asked the midwives who deliver their babies to kill all boy babies. However, these women, just lied and told the king the women delivered without midwives, before they got there. So a new decree was issued: just throw the boys into the Nile!
They establish that they are about to tell the birth history for a Levite child. The child was rescued from the side of the Nile by Pharoah’s daughter. She names him Moses, for she drew him out of the water. She raises him, but he somehow maintains his Hebrew identity since he sticks up for the Hebrew who is being picked on by the Egyptian.
When Pharoah found out his adoptive grandson was in touch with his Hebrew heritage, he wanted his head. So, Moses had to flee to Midian, where he found his wife, Zipporah. They had a son, Gershom.
Time had passed and so, the Pharoah and king in Egypt passed away. The Hebrew people there, got a break from the hard labor that was put on them at the very start of this book (and parshah.) So, G-d gives Moses the mission to go back to Egypt and take the Hebrew people out of there. He warns him that it won’t be easy. Pharoah will be stubborn.
One of the most important aspects of this parshah is introduction of another name of G-d. The Tetragrammaton actually translates into a powerful statement about His various omni qualities. The name of the Tetragrammaton actually means “I was, I am, I will be.” On one hand, this is a testament to His existence across the timeline. One the other hand, it is a commitment to each and every one of us. All you have to do is put the words, “there for you” at the end of the name. The result is a statement that He was, is and ALWAYS will be there for you.
Another reassurance in this parshah is the Tetragrammaton’s mercy. When Moses was asked to speak on His behalf, he did not want to do it because he is not an eloquent speaker. Moses begged to not to be asked to this. The Tetragrammaton reassures him that it will be fine because after all, He is the one who makes things fine or not fine. However, Moses just couldn’t grasp that peace of mind and begged again because all he can think is that he is not an eloquent speaker. Well, He gives in and gives sends his brother, Aaron to speak for him. Now someone in shul asked why the tetragrammaton gave in to his lack of faith. I think it is so obvious: because He is merciful, even when we are lacking.
This parshah can also be used to debunk the concepts that are the basis of the christian faith. After all, if His name defines a timeline of existence then the idea that He became a finite being is absolutely preposterous. Additionally, He speaks of His powers again when He reassures Moshe that he will be able to speak to the Hebrew people. If one acknowledges His power, then that person is a lemech to think He is not powerful enough to decide how He issues rights to the kingdom, as is taught in that other faith.
I found the section about the circumcision confusing, but, now, it’s clearer. When the Tetragrammaton tells Moses that his first born son is Israel who should be sent out to worship Him. He is telling him, your first born son has a destiny for the Hebrew people and thus, he MUST be covenanted. At least that’s what’s it seems to me. When Jacob was referred to as Israel in the last book, it was because that statement had bearing on the Hebrew destiny. For whatever reason, Moses doesn’t stop his travels for the circumcision. However, Zipporah, his wife, represented women in a positive light by doing it for Moses.
The last part of the parshah establishes the fact that the Hebrew people were made as slaves. They were expected to work for no pay. They were beaten when they didn’t meet quotas. They were not permitted to leave. I would call that slavery.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
My story up until I started studying for conversion...
People always want to know my story. Why did I convert to Judaism? Where did I come from (religiously)? What are my parents?
My mother was Catholic. My father was raised at a United Church of Christ church, protestant. Neither one went to church while I was growing up. My parents were divorced on my second birthday. So, my mother (and grandmother) raised me. So, when it was time for a life cycle, Catholic was the way we went. However, my mom never went to church, let alone take us. My grandmother went. If I wanted to go, I could go with her but, I wasn't taken to church.
I always felt warmly towards Jews. I got, and of course still do, warm fuzzies seeing a star of David. I remember reading Anne Frank and seeing the movie, looking for the extra Jewish parts like Chanukah. However, our area would have been waspy if it weren't for the high percentage of Catholics. So, I didn't haven any encounters with Jewish friends growing up.
When I was in about fifth or sixth grade, I started going to a youth group at a church. I became a very religious xtian. In high school, I went to another church which was right wing fundamentalist. The women were really into skirt-wearing as proper attire. You weren't supposed to go to the movies. You weren't supposed to buy anything on Sundays. There should always be six inches between persons of opposite gender.
Eventually, I was attending x-tian college and I could no longer ignore the problems I saw with the religion. If He is Eternal, He couldn't have become a human? Why are there two different geneologies for this person that's supposed to be Him? The argument used is that one is Joseph's geneology and the other is Mary's. However, the doctrine states that Joseph was not the PERSON's father. So, what gives? Friday to Sunday morning is not three days and three nights. If they knew enough to record this birth, why was nothing but, one teenage incident recorded until the PERSON was 30 something?
So, I left x-tianity.
After making the decision, I was asked by people, "so what do you believe now?" That was a good question. I had to ask myself. I concluded that all the problems I had with the Bible were with this "new" testament, if you will. I didn't inconsistencies within the "old" testament. I decided that the G-d of the "old" testament was indeed, G-d, the Creator of the Universe and the Eternal One. I discovered this religion existed and that it's called Judaism. So, I had one Jewish Email pal and I asked him where to start. He did such a great job of dissuading me. However, I stopped celebrating Xmas, Easter and New Year's.
Fast forward several years. In June of 2004, I moved to New York City. I originally came to pursue a career in acting. However, being surround by Jews tugged at that thing inside me that caused me to look into converting previously. One day in the summer of 2006, I was walking in downtown Brooklyn, when a Chabadnic asked me if I was Jewish. I replied, "no, but, I-" The "I always wanted to convert," was cut off and he gave me a bnei noach card.
Well, I took that card home and I prayed on it. I prayed to Hashem if perhaps I was supposed to convert, that he should send me a sign. Perhaps I could make a Jewish friend or work for a Jewish person.
On the 26th of Elul (less than a month later), I started working for this Jewish guy.
I will continue the story another day...
My mother was Catholic. My father was raised at a United Church of Christ church, protestant. Neither one went to church while I was growing up. My parents were divorced on my second birthday. So, my mother (and grandmother) raised me. So, when it was time for a life cycle, Catholic was the way we went. However, my mom never went to church, let alone take us. My grandmother went. If I wanted to go, I could go with her but, I wasn't taken to church.
I always felt warmly towards Jews. I got, and of course still do, warm fuzzies seeing a star of David. I remember reading Anne Frank and seeing the movie, looking for the extra Jewish parts like Chanukah. However, our area would have been waspy if it weren't for the high percentage of Catholics. So, I didn't haven any encounters with Jewish friends growing up.
When I was in about fifth or sixth grade, I started going to a youth group at a church. I became a very religious xtian. In high school, I went to another church which was right wing fundamentalist. The women were really into skirt-wearing as proper attire. You weren't supposed to go to the movies. You weren't supposed to buy anything on Sundays. There should always be six inches between persons of opposite gender.
Eventually, I was attending x-tian college and I could no longer ignore the problems I saw with the religion. If He is Eternal, He couldn't have become a human? Why are there two different geneologies for this person that's supposed to be Him? The argument used is that one is Joseph's geneology and the other is Mary's. However, the doctrine states that Joseph was not the PERSON's father. So, what gives? Friday to Sunday morning is not three days and three nights. If they knew enough to record this birth, why was nothing but, one teenage incident recorded until the PERSON was 30 something?
So, I left x-tianity.
After making the decision, I was asked by people, "so what do you believe now?" That was a good question. I had to ask myself. I concluded that all the problems I had with the Bible were with this "new" testament, if you will. I didn't inconsistencies within the "old" testament. I decided that the G-d of the "old" testament was indeed, G-d, the Creator of the Universe and the Eternal One. I discovered this religion existed and that it's called Judaism. So, I had one Jewish Email pal and I asked him where to start. He did such a great job of dissuading me. However, I stopped celebrating Xmas, Easter and New Year's.
Fast forward several years. In June of 2004, I moved to New York City. I originally came to pursue a career in acting. However, being surround by Jews tugged at that thing inside me that caused me to look into converting previously. One day in the summer of 2006, I was walking in downtown Brooklyn, when a Chabadnic asked me if I was Jewish. I replied, "no, but, I-" The "I always wanted to convert," was cut off and he gave me a bnei noach card.
Well, I took that card home and I prayed on it. I prayed to Hashem if perhaps I was supposed to convert, that he should send me a sign. Perhaps I could make a Jewish friend or work for a Jewish person.
On the 26th of Elul (less than a month later), I started working for this Jewish guy.
I will continue the story another day...
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