I'm not sure, but I think my first year observing Jewish holidays was one that had several 3 day Yom Tovs in it. If not, then it was at least when I was still very shaky in observing them. This oddity happens when a 2 day Yom Tov (holiday) falls either right before or right … Continue reading 3 Day Yom Tovs!
I have covered my hair for many years now, but underneath, was always a long, full head of hair. My husband asked me to keep it, even if only he saw it. He enjoyed running his fingers through it after I took off my wig or scarf and let it down at night. It was … Continue reading An Unexpected Sacrifice
I have been sick and away from my blog while I recovered, but I feel like it is such a huge blessing that I was made to slow down and rest before the High Holidays are here. I'm coming out of the fog at just the right time now to finish preparing and I was … Continue reading Crowning the King and Knowing Your “Why”
We had a VERY restful Shabbos and by restful, I mean that most of our family spent it sleeping with a nasty flu that set in toward the end of the week last week. We would wake to daven and do kiddush and such, then sleep. At one point, only my husband still had his … Continue reading Fall Flu, Learning to Dress Like a Grownup, and Iggy Endures!
If you've been under a rock for a few years, then you might just be unaware that people are increasingly getting rid of their stuff, opting to live in tiny houses, or even RV's or completely nomadic. It's kind of a recent trend in the never-ending quest to simplify our lives. There is even a … Continue reading Minimalism, Hygge, and Chassidic Judaism?
It's been a strange week here in Alaska. The sun has been retreating more and more. A friend's son committed suicide. The Shabbat RV continues to have electrical issues that kept us stranded at home for Shabbos. The weather has not cooperated for a planned hiking trip to climb Flattop Mountain. All this on top … Continue reading The King Is In the Field
Whenever a Jew hears of a death, there is a blessing we must say. "Baruch ata Hashem, elokeinu melech haolam dayan ha-emes." It translates as "Blessed is the Lord, our G-d, the King of the world and true Judge." It's a really hard blessing to say, particularly today. A couple we are good friends with … Continue reading Baruch Dayan HaEmes
We had a good meeting with our sponsoring Rabbi last night who reassured us that he still plans on us converting in April 2018. He has plans and is confident that they will work out. So, we have only to trust him and continue doing what we're doing. While this has all been playing out, … Continue reading What You Get With Waiting
I have probably been a minimalist my entire life, before I knew what to call it. I've never been much attached to heirlooms or possessions and I've always found a great pleasure in getting rid of things. Even as a child, when my mother would decide it was time to cull the herd of stuff … Continue reading In Search of Jewish Minimalism
Yesterday, I began one of the harder parts of my process of teshuva (repentance). In Judaism, Hashem can only forgive those offenses that are against Him, not the mistakes we make that are against our fellow human beings and many people spend some time before the High Holidays seeking out those they may have wronged … Continue reading When My Yetzer Hara Tried To Be My Editor
Contemplating selling a house and moving thousands of miles has a way of helping you rethink your possessions. I've always kind of flirted with minimalism, but lately, I'm all about it. I know that the home we will move to will be much smaller than the home we're in now and I also know that … Continue reading Minimalism and Elul
In Orthodox Judaism, there is a blessing for almost anything. If you see a rainbow or a tall mountain, or a first fruit tree in bloom, or you are putting on a new suit, there is a blessing for each of these things. We continuously bless the world around us and each month, we look … Continue reading No Blessing for an Eclipse?
