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As a very young person: Ride Captain Ride.
Current One: I’m older and I’d have to spend too much time to figure it out but it’s a kid’s song – probably something about Moshe, Mitzvot or Shabbat (the whole album was pretty good but again for the life of me I can’t figure out what it was – the computer broke and I redid it and I don’t know where the songs got themselves to – I resolved to do backups but never got around to doing it…-okay I don’t know how to do backups-just restart).
What if G-d has chosen not to be proven? If so, then we cannot prove His Existence no matter how many sentences we use…
Dear SB3318,
From one BT to another. When I was your age I was attached to the idea of a schedule. Presumably you’re prepared to go off schedule and travel to Israel to do basically “Army Service”. Whether it’s SL or bonafide “Army Service”, according to some really great personalities it’s not the right thing for a girl. It doesn’t have to do with whom you’re going to marry. Girls have their thing to do in Yiddishkeit and boys have their thing. This is what I’ve learned after so many years of learning about Judaism. This is not an obvious thing.
In terms of being supported by parents I had to take out student loans. There’s nothing wrong with that. Whatever option you take should be a safe one. I would say that because you don’t know what kind of life you’re opting for – supporting your future family either partially or entirely – you should figure this into your plans as well.
When I was your age I took this into account. Maybe you can take student loans and attend Touro in Israel if Israel is the goal. I know if you make Aliyah now you’ll get various kinds of support from the Govt. – they’ll provide free college level language -tutoring at Israeli colleges – you have to have graduated highschool. You might end up hanging out with less observant people but if you keep your mind on the goal then you can end up with a degree where you can work in Israel. By making Aliyah now you’ll be able to work which means being able to support yourself somewhat. A friend of mine found work at the restaurants.
If you’re not interested in working at all then you could try the Chabad School in Tsfat – Machon Alta.
Again, I would encourage your making Aliya now in order to force yourself to integrate into Israeli society and then you’ll truly see if it’s what you need. You can come back to America anytime. They won’t stop you…
Good Luck.
–>Forgot the most important thing –>Make sure you have a Rabbi or Rebbitzen guiding you – this way you’ll have a blessing in whatever you decide. I would recommend Rabbi Wallerstein because he has a school in Brooklyn and he’s also pro-Israel – he’ll know how to guide you. You will probably meet the most amazing people at his school – Ateret Naava. Please check into it.
If you try to bite a dog, he might bite you back. You have to know how to approach various situations we find ourselves in today including…
Like…Ooh what I saw…Only G-d can handle it in His own way. Pain, agony, suffering, frustration, for many…I don’t know.
It was a very serious offense that I’m sure has been committed by more than one. I’m truly serious, like destroy the Beis HaMikdash time…
When you see someone really doing something offensive, try to love him first. If you can’t love him first then it’s not your place to scream at him. It’s been my personal experience that certain people who truly disapprove of certain things that I’ve done or are doing truly are so stuck in their perspective that they have no room for any other idea. Getting back to the “You absolutely can’t judge a person until you’ve been in their shoes” but you can passionately fight for a cause. The attack is not on the person but for the issue at hand.
Well the great thing about this topic is that we’re all thinking what is the right thing to do this Rosh HaShanah. I was just thinking this yesterday. My heart breaks when I think that I won’t be in Jerusalem for RH this year. I might try to be with my mom. Thank G-d I have parents. If I’m with my mom I probably won’t be able to go to shul at all and I’ll have to have someone stop in to blow the shofar. It’s a huge question as to what’s the right thing to do. And the day after is a fast day. Lots of things to think about. We all want great davening and inspiration but we are not “VaYeshev Yaakov”. We were sent here to work. Even on RH.
Being a Jew is an interesting adventure. We find ourselves in different “life squares”. I find sometimes that we tend to focus on our closed doors or that we have less open doors than others. Because we are individuals and our lives have been tailor made for us we have to believe that after trying our best to acheive what are called “The G-dly Goals” like…we find that we are unable to. Of course this doesn’t prevent us from forfilling other G-dly Goals but what happens is that other people might not let us appreciate the doors that have been left open for us and then we don’t feel so positive about them. For example the fact that you’re not married means you can do more community work or learn. There is so much meaning in the life of a Jew. Even our breath has meaning. Good Luck in your search. You’re part of the “Chosen People” (Baruch Atah Hashem Shay Lo Asahni Goy).
blah blah: You nearly stole my punchline which is blah blah blah. Let’s see who can figure that one out. On Marriage: For those who are scared…there are so many scarier things out there. If you’re a guy then you get an Ezer K-Negdo – so just be on very good terms with Hashem and you’ll survive your marriage experience. If you’re a girl then remember that Hashem loves you and so no matter how scary the whole thing seems just as Hashem brought you into this world and into your family against your will and you accepted that<>you’ll be able to get married and do the mitzvot associated with that. Imagine getting to heaven and not having forfilled the numerous mitzvot that get acheived through being married (for a man having children and for a women helping a man not be alone).
If you like the Pom Pom donut at The Donut Man then we might be related. You also have to like their melted cheese with tomato.
I have to do my laundry,
And I have to go to my class,
I have to bentch,
Oh the responsibilities will always last.
One foot after the other,
Dragging the Guf along,
The Neshama singing happily,
And you all can come along.
I told my father that I was going to live in Israel with my grandmother for a year – And I did. And I am religious today – Ta Da!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Charan,
Move On.
Tried to make the move to Cna’an.
Move On.
So much to see.
Believe.
Write your song.
Belong.
Happy. Happy as can be.
Happy.
Happy.
Move On.
Your Song.
Get Along.
Move On.
Move On.
I think parents are the key. And children should trust their parents. The children should doven to Hashem that in the merit of trusting their parents that when they accept the shidduch it will be a good thing and the parents should doven that Hashem will give them sechel to pick a good partner for their child.
Pick a partner that your parent will get along with. Doven to Hashem that the person will say yes. In our circles we have to “Just Say Yes”.
It was a true miracle that I met my spouse. I had to be married and I didn’t know it and so Hashem made it happen. For the ones who know they have to get married they should “Just Say Yes” (and remember to doven for the person on the other side to say yes).
I was taught in a very religious school that it could be three finger widths. Hair does pop out because we’re very busy, Baruch Hashem.
By the way, the snood is the way to go. There’s this Rabbi who just passed away who said in his will that he’s giving a special bracha to the women who wear snoods. I now feel really good about wearing snoods and I’m planning to buy some more! Chabad women should keep wearing their sheitels because that’s what their Rabbi told them to do.
G-d isn’t letting you help these people. Read the Torah and you’ll see that if you have the desire and Hashem has a desire then there will be an explosive reaction and you’ll be able to save someone. What I do is focus on what I can do. I’ve had people close to me suggest that I do this or that. I do this or that and it doesn’t work. I then do something else and although it’s not the fireworks type of life that we hoped we’d be participating in we see that there’s a richness in the things that Hashem allows us to do. Doing anything for anyone else (like holding a door open etc.)is a tremendous opportunity.
And in terms of being the children of Holocaust Survivors my father told me not to hate people who were not directly involved. Most people are interested in fitting in and also we all have DNA and so if we don’t have a Torah education we don’t understand that Hashem finds it undesirable for the Jew and Non-Jew to marry. Assimilation is a very logical result when one doesn’t know how important it is to live as a Jew.
We are very priviledged to know that it is important to be religious and we should focus on whatever is within our power to please Hashem.
My Shabbos thought on Noah is: We (the Jewish People) are the Flood.
Over Shabbos we were speaking of ways to save Thailand. I thought of logical ways and then realized they’re in a lot of trouble and so in such a case a country must turn to G-d.
So my solution for countries in trouble is to officially adopt the “7 Noachide Laws” and enforce them. By doing this it would be a kiddush Hashem because it would encourage other countries to do the same. Eventually this could affect the U.S.
For Israel, the Rabbis certainly know what they’re talking about. Thank G-d for our great Rabbis.
This is what I learned. If you know Aleph and the other person knows nothing then it’s your obligation to teach them Aleph. I have had very knowledgable people try to teach me and they basically screamed at me because they were not taught the right way or maybe they needed to learn some more before they could teach. If you’re not a screamer and you’re praying to Hashem to let you teach the right way then you will. And remember that you are a stepping stone in this person’s life. Hashem will provide the people necessary to make up for your shortcomings and to get this person onto the next stop.
I’m moving to Connecticut. They’re really nice there.
Another strategy: Don’t tell him that you are trying to get him to break up with the girlfriend. Do tell him that you need his help to help you with a project and that you are willing to pay him for it. The project is of course going to take place at some kiruv place where there will be an understanding Rabbi waiting nearby to just by happenstance speak with him in general about various things. Once he’s buddies with the Rabbi then your problem is basically over. I would suggest being in touch with someone like Rabbi Wallerstein to arrange this. He has loads of experience in this area and if he can’t help then he’ll lead you to someone who can.
I personally prefer a small shul. But. If I were to give advice I’d say that a women’s program from 9-3, Monday-Wednesday would increase attendance. The flavor of it would be in between an Ohr Naava and Drisha. There would have to be a RH dovening that had the tunes that BT’s have been introduced to (NCSY style). Maybe there should be a longer and a shorter service for Friday Night and Shabbos Morning. Both would be high quality but one would be shorter. There’s a lot of pressure to not carry into the shul. In other words it’s a little too strict for a MO BT. I would also add a Melava Malka program.
I guess one of my favorite shuls was Ramat Oorah on the UWS. Women felt very comfortable there. I was able to attend prayer services every morning and then get a piece of halacha. It was really great. On Friday night there would be an announcement asking if people had a place to eat. The shul gave off a very friendly atmosphere.
Meanwhile I appreciate the shul and everyone there. The Rabbi is a super great teacher and I would recommend any man above Bar Mitzvah to attend his Daf Yomi shiur.
Dwindling attendance at the older shuls in Boro Park is a common problem. Most of the young YI style people have moved out. And who knows? Maybe like me they want a small shul.
At around 3pm there should be a break in the weather. I already did my brief L’shev B’Sukkah with a cookie. I invite everyone to try and do the same on this last day of Sukkot. Be B’Simcha. I’ve already heard someone say that they felt it was Pesach and not Sukkot. I asked them if it was because of Gilad and they really didn’t know but who knows????????????????????????????
backward nun, ner, followed by backward nun.
Focus on Shabbos properly and you will not experience it. Shabbos is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m onto Sukkot and the building of the Beis HaMikdash…May in come instead of the hurricane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like the song “It’s time to bring Moshiach” but I don’t know where the lines come from.
Help another Jew be more Jewish. This includes teaching sewing lessons to us unfortunate few who used to be able to shop in the stores but are now religious and are wanting for some decent outfits. Help your fellow Jews get Shabbos guests. Some people are shy in the beginning. I had a fellow shul member help me get Shabbos guests and I’m sure the choicest place in the Garden of Eden is being reserved for her!
Can’t wait until we’re ALL in Israel.
All I ever here is talk and no action. When are these lecturers going to offer sewing classes so that we can make our own outfits or at least offer classes on how to modify our outfits in an attractive way???
I was personally touched by the writing of a sefer Torah in his memory. An “oat” costs $25. Details are on the Misakim site.
They will find the boy. Just keep repeating this to yourself. It’s not the three weeks yet. We shouldn’t think we deserve any of this. Just keeping repeating…they will find this Jewish boy.
Finding G-d’s Torah. That was a real find. And my children and my children’s children will feel the same way.
Explaining 30. I was saying worst case scenario. It’s up to Hashem when the marriage will happen. What can happen when a person starts seeing their friends marry and they don’t is it can be discouraging. This might cause resentment in the person who’s tried really hard to lift themselves out of their situation. There’s a lot that can happen along the way and a person must have firm belief that Hashem is looking out for him and has in mind the best life for him.
Dear Bombmaniac,
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had to experience so many difficulties at such a young age. In a few years you’ll be at the age of marriage and probably be expected to marry but you should make sure that you’ll be psychologically ready.
Most people did not have dream parents or religious ones. But. We have to be thankful to our parents that they clothed and fed us and to recognize that we would have had no existence if it hadn’t been for them. Our situation could truly have been worse. Some of our issues with our parents will last a lifetime but if we try to be the “one who takes the high road” then we end up being happier people. A happy person will be a stable married person. A spouse does not substitute for the relationships that you might be craving for right now.
My suggestion for now is to find opportunities to help other people. This will make you more attractive for shidduchim prospects. Right now you got a lot going against you in terms of being “prime” material. I used to think that my situation was hopeless in this regard but in the end Hashem took care of me in His own special way. He of course will take care of you. Just pretend that you’re Rabbi Akiva (or Rabbi Zusha – one of those) in the story where the village will not accept him. He only learns much later why he couldn’t be in the mainstream and he sees that Hashem saved his life.
Always have a positive attitude. Put up with your Rabbis if you feel sometimes that they don’t truly understand you. Don’t get frustrated and if Chas v’ Shalom you’re made to wait until you’re 30 to get the proper partner just be grateful to Hashem for your very special existence in His Creation.
You really have nothing to worry about but you do have a lot of work to do until you completely grow up.
Best of Luck,
LSH
“If you were brought up in a non-religious home, and later in life you became acquainted with religious Jews, would you care to understand what it’s all about? Would you make the drastic life changing decision of becoming religious?”
–>From my personal experience the connection to religious people doesn’t happen unless 1. Someone is praying for you 2. When Hashem calls you, you move towards Him (ie. open wide your mouth and I will fill it).
And no matter what position you’re in the service involves constantly noticing what Hashem is saying and not ignoring what He wants.
So, I’m saying that I believe or have faith/trust that Hashem gives everyone a chance to get close but some part of me feels sorry for people who have not gotten close because for many years I didn’t see the need to be religious and it could only be that someone was praying for me that I would even agree or consider changing my life. Now after many years of living Jewishly I partly understand our role and mission and how our lives are contributing to the betterment of the world but I also see that because the Torah is so powerful that Hashem has the right to discipline us when we don’t listen to Him or show insolence. When we are in a state of being disciplined this requires faith/trust as well.
I think for most of us there are many. One of the first things that changed me was when I was nervous about a test and I had intentions to cheat. I set everything up so that I could cheat if I needed to. In the end I didn’t cheat because really I had studied well but I got caught anyways. I was around six or seven. I never even thought about cheating ever again. I wasn’t religious at the time but I knew that G-d was watching me and I’d better not steal or cheat or even think about it because I’d certainly get into trouble. Now that I’m religious I realise that when I leave the world I’ll have to give an accounting for all of the times that I even thought about doing bad things and so I have to be occupied with the kinds of things that G-d wants me to do so that I won’t be embarrassed when I get up there. When I wasn’t religious I wasn’t thinking about the conversation with G-d.
Part of the club. I couldn’t serve in the Beis HaMikdash anyways because I’m not a Cohen but I am looking forward to watching them do their service someday. And in terms of lifespan I guess we complete our life’s mission more efficiently…
So There.
Just my opinion – Most people these days insist on separate fianances (checking accounts etc.) just in case they will divorce which is considered a practical step seeing that at least 50% of couples will divorce (which didn’t happen so frequently just 50 years ago). When the money belongs to the man and the wife cannot inherit the man this greatly reduces the risk that she’ll do various despicable things to her husband which do happen these days. The man is obligated to have children and not pay for them which gets rid of the need for child support cases where the lawyers are able to take advantage of people in an emotionally vulnerable state. I think it causes the couple to try harder and acheive peace with each other. The Torah does talk about cases where the woman gets angry at her husband and that the solution in some cases is to bring an offering (for example after giving birth). Maybe she’d have to give an offering after having any bad thoughts about her husband. I think he’d have to pay for that and I would guess that after awhile he’d start being nicer.
Re: apushatayid post.
***What you are really saying is “why buy it, if I can get it free!” which goes back to the point of taking away a sale from someone.***
Is there a leniency for copying music that a person would have no interest in buying themselves? Let’s say the person only has so much money and is not interested in your style of music and you’re introducing them to it or it’s not a money question it’s just they would absolutely never buy it but you think it would be good for them to hear.
Personally it took me awhile to get used to Jewish music. If we wanted to use this as a kiruv tool would it be not allowed to buy a copy but then distribute it to people who at this stage wouldn’t buy it? In a way you’re possibly increasing Jewish sales of music in the future.
Thanks for your answers.