It would be expected that I would think about my mother, as my daughter and I sat down for Kol Nidrei. From my seat I could see the daughters of the woman who died last Rosh Hashanah, the wife and daughters of another shul member who died a few months ago, and behind me were the wife, daughters and … [Read more...]
Clock of the Winter
September 27, 2009 by
(The title is the literal translation by one of my children of shaon choref, otherwise known as standard time.) Yom Kippur begins this afternoon (Sunday), with candle-lighting at 4:52. Last night we changed the clocks to standard time. After much wrangling and never knowing when the clocks would … [Read more...]
Insects Keep Falling on My Head (on Sukkot, that is)
September 23, 2009 by
Yated Neeman has a letter from Rabbi Moshe Wye on a little-discussed halachic issue for Sukkot: Insects falling from your s'chach into your food. [See note below.] The Hebrew text appears on the Jerusalem Kosher News blog. I summarized the most important points below: "Permanent" s'chach, … [Read more...]
Rain, Gas, and New Year Greetings.
September 18, 2009 by
Tonight is Rosh Hashanah, the start of the Jewish year 5770. Storms are predicted for tomorrow evening. I can't ever recall storms on Rosh Hashanah, just intense heat. Likely we'll get both. :) (The gas technician is here. The part arrived by messenger, but the private technician didn't know what … [Read more...]
Rosh Hashanah Appliance Woes
September 16, 2009 by
Was it the freezer last year? Yes, it was. For years I've enjoyed my Hagaz, a type of timer for gas stoves that allows you to cook on Yom Tov. On certain weekday holidays, one may light a stove from an existing flame but not put it out. Newer models of stoves are equipped with a sensor that turns … [Read more...]
Links for Rosh Hashanah Planning
September 8, 2009 by
I've collected posts on preparing in honor of Rosh Hashanah, which begins on Friday evening, September 18 and ends after dark on September 20. Last year's Menu and Cooking Plan, along with a meatball recipe. This year my menu will be similar, with adjustments for Shabbat. Rosh Hashanah … [Read more...]
Shavuot, Eruv Tavshilin, Recipes and Carnivals
May 28, 2009 by
The holiday of Shavuot begins Thursday evening. Known in English as Pentecost because it takes place fifty days after Passover, Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. The two main customs associated with the holiday are serving dairy foods and staying up all night to study … [Read more...]
7-Minute Low-Fat Microwave Cheesecake
May 24, 2009 by
My friend Annette first made this cake for me almost 13 years ago when I was re-hospitalized with a newborn. I kept it in the hospital refrigerator and it was good for several meals. Now my kids fight about who gets to make it for Shavuot. The topping is optional but I wouldn't skip it unless you … [Read more...]
The Parent’s Prayer
May 22, 2009 by
This prayer of the SheLa"h is supposed to be said by parents before Rosh Chodesh Sivan (new month of Sivan) this Sunday. Yesterday and today were the days to say it, as prayers making specific requests are usually not said on Shabbat. If you know of another translation, please send it along. In … [Read more...]
Pre-Shavuot Shabbat
May 22, 2009 by
Glossary below. Two holidays are so special that the preceding Shabbat has special significance: The Shabbat before Pesach is known as Shabbat Hagadol, and the Shabbat before Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuvah. The rabbi always gives a special shiur on the other two special sabbaths. Tomorrow he … [Read more...]
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