Yes, really, how angry are we?

Listening to yesterday's Unger Report on NPR's Day to Day podcast, I shook my head in agreeance. I mean, how bad do we REALLY have it when we can stand in line for days for an iPhone or fight for tickets to a blockbuster. What kind of image does that send to the rest of the world as we sit here whining about how the economy is a bust and how gas is expensive. I mean, really? Anyway, listen to the Unger Report. He hits the nail on the head, most assuredly.


       

Chavi Goes Shopping, online, Again!

I am presently on the hunt for a t-shirt. I'm not exactly sure what kind of t-shirt, really. I mean, I'm looking for a t-shirt that says "Hey, I'm Jewish" or "Look at me, I have Hebrew on my shirt" or something of that variety. I used to have this amazing Threadless.com shirt with the face of a Hasid and all sorts of Hebrew words or characters or something around it. I loved that shirt, but it was this cream color and it just didn't mesh with my skin, and it was too big, so I got rid of it long ago. I happen to own one T-Shirt with a beautiful dove filled with a medley of pictures/words related to Israel, but I'm looking for something more ... well ... not trendy, per se, but something that's a little more hip to me.

So I found Israel Vintage Icons on T, which has an array of really awesome tees, and the way that the designs are presented are very classy. The Army Girl tee is very neat; it's described as "Based on the 'Army Girl' photo from the Nico and Trudy Schwartz-Hiller collection: 'Recruiting the daughters of Israel to the British Army'." Then there's the Israeli Pictograms shirt, which could come in handy if I ever make it to Israel. I think my favorite, perhaps for its simplicity, is the Star of David tee, which you see on that guy right there. The t-shirts are running $19 a pop, with $6 shipping to the U.S. of A. If you're in Israel, it's a mere $4. Why? Well, this company is based in Israel. D'oh for me!

I also stumbled upon perhaps my favorite t-shirt find. Yes, it's Jews for Cheeses! I'm really seconds away from procuring this tee, simply because, well, I haven't had a run-in with the Jews for Jesus yet, but I have to think that G-d would will it to be on the day that I would be wearing this marvelous t-shirt. Don't you think? Plus, this screen cap shows that one of my favorite TV shows (Pushing Daisies) even saw the hilarious necessity in owning such a shirt!

At this point I'll say that I'm avoiding the typical "Nice Jewish Girl" and "Challah Back" and "Nu Jew" and all of those tees. Why? They're obnoxious and silly, that's why. I want something classy. And maybe "Jews for Cheeses" isn't classy, but come on ... it's hilarious. And those "Let's get Chai" shirts? Gag me with a spoon!

Then, of course, while browsing around I found ModernTribe.com, which has ... well ... not so much with the shirts, but an ark-load of other beautiful things. Including (another) necklace I want. It's the "Letters of Creation" necklace. Oy! So beautiful ... and a Gelt Money Clip? I wish I knew someone who actually used a money clip, becuase I'd drop a dime for this in a second! There are oodles of other things on the Modern Tribe site that, well, if I were rich and not heading to graduate school, I'd most definitely procure.

But back to T-shirts. Chavi needs a t-shirt. There's the typical Hebrew Coca-Cola shirt, but it seems like that's the obligatory tee to have if you're a Jew looking for a shirt, right? Rotem Gear has some nice tees, but none that are really calling to me. And although I would *never* buy it, I thought the "I Choose You, PikaJew" shirt was hilarious. In fact, I'm sending the link to my little brother (a former Pokemon obsessee). Of course, I could get a shirt personalized with my name so everyone who sees it knows who I am -- if they read Hebrew, that is!

And by some stroke of luck, I've found Store of David. I have fallen in love with the Milk and Meat tee, and if I can get over the price, I might just pick it up. And who can resist the I Control the Media tee? I'm often told that, having been a copy editor and being Jewish, well, that I play nicely into that, and I can't deny it! It was then that I stumbled upon the Jewish Food Pyramid tee, and I'm really dismayed because I can't seem to find a larger image of it ... but it simply looks hilariously wonderful. If only it came in something other than powder blue! Then again, there is this let there be light tee, which is on sale. 

But the holy grail of T-shirts has to be this: Chicago. Yes, it's a shirt that SAYS Chicago in Hebrew and has the el map. Yes, yes I think I will have to buy this shirt. After contacting customer service, they assure me that it comes in an array of colors with either black or white text. Here's hoping?

Okay, so I'm no closer to finding a T-shirt than I was when I started this adventure hours ago (I am at work, after all, while composing this). I do have some good options, though. And I know some of you might be asking yourselves, "Chavi! Nu? You're nearly 25. Can't you get serious and lose the t-shirt shtick? Act like an adult already!" But in truth, I've spent the past two years wearing "business" clothes to work and being all dressy bessy. A girl needs a T-shirt, darn't, and not just on the weekends. Soon, I will return to school and with school comes laziness, waking up late, throwing on a tee and going to class. So if you have a favorite tee out of all of these, let me know and perhaps I'll pick it up before I go broke!

Shalom, and happy shopping :)

G-d: He is she is he.

Wow. Firstly, I have to thank Cesar for bringing this article to my attention ... but talk about an interesting and fascinating breakthrough in biblical scholarship. The entire article, "Rabbi unveils a secret of G-d" (hyphen inserted by me) can be found by clicking here. I will have to write more about this later (since I am at work) but I have to get this out into the big bad world of the interwebs and my blog-o-community becuase I think this is a brilliant undertaking academically.

The tradition-bound Western image of a he-man, masculine God may already be thousands of years out of date, says a Westchester rabbi who believes he has unlocked the secret to God's name and androgynous nature.

Rabbi Mark Sameth contends in a soon-to-be-published article that the four-letter Hebrew name for God - held by Jewish tradition to be unpronounceable since the year 70 - should actually be read in reverse. When the four letters are flipped, he says, the new name makes the sounds of the Hebrew words for "he" and "she."

And here is a video with the rabbi discussing his thoughts on this. Brilliant!

Project Black, Chavi Style, Take III.

Rust.
Originally uploaded by kvetchingeditor

Here is more of the Project Black, this one is a picture I took Friday while waiting in the humidity at the Madison stop on the Green/Brown/Orange/Pink line in the Loop. Pigeons are such hideous, yet such beautiful, simple creatures. Rats with wings, but when they tilt their heads just so ... Don't forget to check out/join Project Black over at this blog.

Shalom!

Project Black, Chavi Style, Take II

Textures
Originally uploaded by kvetchingeditor

I liked the varied colors on this, and it was in the comfort of my own little bathroom -- radiator (hot in the winter, doesn't turn off), hand-held mirror in pink, kerchief that my mother wore in the 1970s, and lastly, the black and white headband I've rarely worn.

A thought ...

Does anyone have any tips/advice on how to get free advance (or even released) copies of books for review?

I got an email today from the Jewish Learning Group about that book I blogged about here, Going Kosher in 30 Days. Now, I'm all about buying books, but I like to check them out from the library first, or at least buy them off Amazon.com where books tend to be on the more inexpensive end of things. So unless I buy a really expensive Kindle device, I can't get the book for $9.99, nor can I check it out from the library (since it's not there). And with the state of our economy and me going back to graduate school (blah blah blah).

As an avid blogger/reader/Jewish enthusiast, I think I could really get out the word on books of the Judaica variety, don't you think? So let's see those free copies, folks!

(Okay, this was shameless, I know, but really, I tend to hoard books and I can't even count the amount of $$ I've spent on books in the past six years, but I'm sure it's well into the thousands!)

EDIT: I stand corrected. I just checked Amazon and they finally listed the book (it was not listed just a few days ago!) and there are two "used" copies for $16.00. Looks like I might be procuring ... 

A quick ditty on my way to bed.

This is part of that 8 percent of my blog that isn't necessarily "on topic" as far as being about Judaism. But really, well, it is, since just about everything in my life relates in some way to my Jewishness. Prepare for utter irrelevance and general blabber.

So I went to the dermatologist today after having put off a small procedure for months and months. It was quick doing, but required a little procedure that means I have to replace some bandages on three different spots for about the next two weeks until said spots are healed. Barring any tests coming back positive or weird, this is just routine for the sake of being safe (I'll just say it has to do with my moles/beauty marks, of which I have about as many as the stars are numerous and the Jews are bountiful).

As I was laying there with the doctor asking me the typical questions (What do you do? Oh you're leaving? What will you study?). He asked why I'd put off coming in for so long and I explained that it was because after my ex and I broke up, I worried about being able to do the bandaging since I didn't have anyone around to help. Then he started asking how I came to Judaism and the first thing he said was, "So was your boyfriend Jewish?" He couldn't see my face, but I grinned that "seriously" kind of grin and said "Nope." He responded with the "Oh, well, everyone I know who has converted to Judaism did it for marriage" line. I said that, yeah, typically, a lot of converts to Judaism tend to be those who do it for spousal reasons, but that we are the few, the proud, who convert purely out of a personal calling. Now, I know plenty of people who convert for marriage end up being more devout than there spouses and I'm not knocking anyone here, but I just think it's interesting that he'd assume!

Of course, my real irritation with the entire visit was that he decided to do the procedure differently so as to make things easier on me since I am a poor, defenseless, helpless lass without a man or other person around to help me take care of the bandaging. After he left the nurse shook her head and explained a few easy ways to get things done -- "I've been all alone and had plenty of excisions, you'll be fine" she explained, with a grin and sarcastic tone in her voice.

At any rate, that's just a little ditty about what I'm medically up to. Not that anyone cares, but, well, someone might.

When Zealotry Was a Good Thing.

I have to hope that it isn't just Israelis, or for that matter Jews, who are mourning the loss of two Israeli soldiers -- Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev -- not to mention the general sadness over the completely ridiculous and obscene trade with Hezbollah that took place to get their remains back: Two dead bodies for 199 bodies and five live prisoners. I have to hope that the entire world, every humane person, is mournful and disgusted by the entire display. And did I mention that the big released prisoner, Samir Kuntar, was only SIXTEEN when he murdered a police officer, as well as a father and child, and caused a mother to smother her child while she was hiding from Kuntar. Sixteen. And here we are, 30 years later, and Kuntar is freed -- celebrated by those who seek to destroy Israel and the entire Jewish community, to stomp us out. Kuntar, upon his release, despite 30 years in prison with the possibility of repentance, has said that he will return to Israel with a resistance group. He intends to come for us, and he has thousands, if not more, who see him as a hero, a mighty champion.

So one has to wonder -- how long will Kuntar survive outside of prison before someone, be it Mossad or a zealous Jew, murders him in retaliation for what he did to the Jewish spirit and the families of those he murdered 30 years ago?

This was, in truth, the first thing I thought of when I heard about his release. My immediate thought was that surely, he won't last a week. He will be dead, and they will be avenged. And when I stopped to think about this, I realized how incredibly disgusting these thoughts of mine were.

This week's parshah, Pinchas, is -- like most parashot -- fitting to the modern day.

The Torah portion begins with G-d rewarding Phinehas' actions (killing an Israelite man and a Moabite woman because of their immorality, which profaned G-d's name), by granting him a pact of friendship and a pact of priesthood for all time. Now, the outright good about this is that his actions ended the plague against the Israelites. The bad thing, is that he's generally rewarded for outright murder -- of two people at that. Many of the sages agreed with G-d's praise, saying that anyone "who wages war on the enemies of what is good and true is a champion of the Covenant and Peace on earth ..." But postbiblical commentators are incredibly uncomfortable with this (as am I). Is it better that two should die by the hands of a zealot than thousands because of their misdeeds?

I've been thinking about this a lot since the soldiers' bodies were returned, since Kuntar was released, and now, thinking about all the possible outcomes of hasty, thoughtless, zealous-driven rages. I know that plenty with whom I have spoken wouldn't think twice about killing Kuntar if they had the chance. And this, well, it frightens me.

It shall be for him and his descendants after him a pact of priesthood for all time, because he took impassioned action for his G-d, thus making expiation for the Israelites (Num. 25:13).

So, if someone is to take impassioned action, avenging those who have died and perhaps granting "peace of mind" for Israel, will it be rewarded by G-d? No, I don't think so. In fact, if Kuntar were to die by the hands of a murderer, I have no doubt in my mind that it would result in the murders of many more Jews. Yes, perhaps Kuntar will go on to kill more people, but the amount that he could possibly kill versus the amount that would die out of retaliation for his very own murder is of no comparison.

For Phinehas, the only punishment that he received was that in the Torah scroll, the yod in his name is small, diminished. The sages say that this is because when we commit violence, the yod -- as in the name of G-d or as in y'hudi) -- is diminished. Also in this portion, then, the vav in shalom is written with a break in its stem. Why?

Because peace gained by destroying one's opponent will ultimately be a flawed, incomplete peace.*

*Cheers to Etz Chayim for this profound statement.

Torah on Board!

I spotted this story over on Tzipiyah.com and had to share. It's a very, very snazzy little newsbite about a Torah scroll dedication aboard the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv commuter train in Israel!

 

A specially commissioned Torah scroll was dedicated on Sunday for use aboard a commuter train by a traveling prayer quorum (minyan) on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv line. ...

Between 20 and 40 people pray in the train's Mesilat Yesharim Minyan [prayer group] each morning after it leaves the Beit Shemesh station. The last carriage on the early morning train is unofficially reserved as the temporary "synagogue," drawing both men and women, as well as Israel Railways crew members. The regular participants are a mixture of native Israelis and immigrants from North America and Europe who work in Tel Aviv in banking, law, computers, medicine, education and business, but who choose to live in the religious communities in Jerusalem or Beit Shemesh. ...

Darren Shaw made Aliyah from London in August 2006 ... hired a scribe to write an unusually small Torah, which is just 30 centimeters [about 12 inches] high. Fellow traveler Ariel Abraham, originally from Elizabeth, New Jersey, has converted a suitcase on wheels into a portable Holy Ark.

 

Project Black, Chavi Style.

Taking part in Project Black, which I happened to hap' upon thanks to Ilana-Davita. For info on Project Black, check it out over on Anna Carson's photo blog.

This is my first photo posted for Project Black ... shadows of two teenage girls with the Chicago skyline lighting the background. And for kicks, here's a second one. That's my eternal black bag, portrait of a girl in a Red Roof Inn.

More Beloved by G-d.

Color me stoked! Thanks to Aliza (of ye olde Jewminicana blog), a new documentary has been brought to my attention, and it's called More Beloved by G-d. You can view the trailer for it by clicking here. (I'd embed, but unfortunately that feature is disabled on YouTube, so click the link!) It's directed by Laura Wiessen, and the little blurb on YouTube says:  

"More Beloved by Gd is a documentary exploration of converts, conversion to Judaism and what the newest Jews bring to the Jewish people. Through this lens, the film will examine the very human need for spirituality." 

Those featured in the trailer are of varied backgrounds -- an Italian Catholic, an Africa-American (Yitz!), a mother of a young child, a woman named Rain, etc. It most definitely looks like a varied group of individuals with a lot to say about their experiences, and I'm pretty excited to see how the film turns out. Though, I can't seem to find anything about WHEN the movie is coming out. I guess I'll just have to wait with breath bated!

I'm only pretty sure.

I'm having one of those revival kind of times, where I pick up an old album that just, well, sings to me. It isn't even nostalgic, not this music. Third Eye Blind -- Blue. It doesn't have that memory effect, but rather, it just fits. Circa 1999. And it will probably now become one of those memory albums because right now, it's the soundtrack to my movie. Anything. The entire album, just sings.

A quick Yiddish survey!

Boker tov! I thought I'd pass along this little blurb that I found over on the On Chanting blog, it's a survey about Yiddish, which was recently discussed by Shimshonit over on Jewsbychoice.org. It doesn't take too much of your time, so why not participate, eh?

Concerning the spread of Yiddish among English speakers in North America

You are invited to participate in an interesting and entertaining survey about language. Essentially, we're asking about the spread of Yiddish (and some Hebrew) among English speakers in North America. We're turning to both Jews and non-Jews to answer questions like these: Who uses Yiddish words like "shmooze" and "daven" and phrases like "Money, shmoney"? Why do some people say "temple" while others say "shul"? Who prefers biblical names for their babies? Your responses will help us answer these and other questions, and you might learn something about yourself in the process. Please set aside 15-20 minutes, and click on this link to participate.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9eQwWyblG_2b8ixLqbt6QFhg_3d_3d

Please forward this e-mail to your friends and family. We are hoping to get thousands of responses from people of all religions, ages, and regions of the United States and Canada. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail Prof. Sarah Bunin Benor, sbenor@huc.edu, or Prof. Steven M. Cohen, Steve34nyc@aol.com.

And for those curious, the survey is being run by Hebrew Union College (the Reform movement's seminary).

High Holidays ... already!?

On the way in to work this morning, while compulsively checking my BlackBerry, I got an e-mail, subject line: "High-Holiday Synagogue Companion - Early Bird Sale" from the Jewish Learning Group. My reaction was shock: What!? High Holidays!? It's only July! It was then that I realized that the High Holidays really are only a few months away ... yikes!

When I worked retail and in the fast food business, I was always aware of upcoming holidays. Even when I was in school you're always conscious of how far away or soon the upcoming festivities are, because you're counting down with everyone else in class or on the job. Jewish holidays? Not so much. There isn't a gigantic section cleared out in the local Wal-Mart or Target full of Chanukah or Purim merchandise, nor is there a special on white garments at the GAP (well, maybe white button-downs -- summertime chic). Usually, I'm lucky to see an endcap featuring menorahs or cookie cutters in the shape of whatever Jewish holiday is present. But in the retail market, they start planning for Halloween in August and start planning for Thanksgiving in September and Christmas? Well, I've already seen signs hailing "XX shopping days till Christmas!" Isn't it a lot early for planning this far ahead? Then, of course, after Christmas the Valentine's stuff goes up and the cycle starts over and we're looking at Easter baskets in February. It's a cycle, and there's always some holiday coming up and things to buy and reminders on endcaps reminding us to prepare since these things inevitably creep up on us.

So I guess I should thank the Jewish Learning Group for this little "early bird" notice. I haven't really thought about where I'll be or what my plans will be, but since I'll be off at graduate school, I have to hope that Chabad or the Hillel will have things planned. Trekking to West Hartford from Storrs would be a pain in the tuches, so I'm planning on a convenient fully observed Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur this year (compared to the past several years which have been disappointing repeatadly for reasons of shul incompatibility and work schedules). But at least I'm thinking about it in advance, eh?

Another upshot to this email is that I discovered an interesting book: Going Kosher in 30 Days. I might have to pick this little gem up (though, in reality it won't necessarily apply for a few years since, well, dorm living means Kosher dining hall if I do indeed go the route of kashrut). From the website:

The book is organized into a 30-day education for beginners, but will hold the interest of anyone interested in Judaism. From Kabbalistic insights into the spiritual basis of the kosher laws to practical advice for people in varying circumstances (families, singles, college students, etc.), Rabbi [Zalman] Goldstein has addressed just about all the concerns and questions that may come up along the way.

Keeping kosher, he explains, is not just about separating meat and dairy or avoiding non-kosher foods. It's about tuning in to the potential of the Jewish soul, about having the power "to enable all creation to soar higher than any individual component of the material order can do individually."

After a brief historical overview that places kosher observance in the context of the experience of previous generation, when keeping kosher was truly a challenge, Going Kosher in 30 Days addresses some common misconceptions that people have -- like the idea that kosher has to do with cleanliness or that it means a rabbi blesses the food. It includes an explanation of what kosher agencies do and a glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terms relating to the kosher laws.

There are a bounty of other stellar books on the site; I suggest you give it a go (their Companion series looks interesting).

Note: For those curious, from what I can tell, the group and the rabbi are of the Chabad persuasion. I mention this only because I know that when it comes to Judaic books, many look for those that are related to their particularly branch/movement, so this could be useful for those who find the texts interesting and/or want to know more about who is behind the texts!

I warn you, this post is full of snark.

A hearty mazel tov to Germany on their new citizenship exam!

But, well, let's just say that the region has still not healed and/or come to terms with the Holocaust. How's this evident? Well, the new citizenship test displays 320 questions on German history and society, and not once is the Holocaust mentioned. Because, well, you know, the Holocaust just never happened and definitely has nothing to do with Germany, right!?

What's more, on the question of which religion most influenced European and German culture, among the possible answers are Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism and Islam -- but no Judaism. Peculiar? Yes, yes I think so. It's sort of big doins, especially in Germany, right? But the questionnaire does proffer questions about Germany's Christian heritage, such as asking what the last four weeks before Christmas are called. (Is this common knowledge? Because, well, I just don't know.)

At any rate, if you're planning on becoming a German citizen, this test will become the standard across the board beginning September 1. Way to wave that flag of cultural insensitivity, Germany! Someday you'll make amends with the past and move along in an adult, mature, sensible, culturally sensitive fashion.

Until then? Well, I bite my thumb in your general direction.

Mezuzot and Me

This post was meant for JewsbyChoice.org, but unfortunately at the moment I am unable to post there. Enjoy!

In early 2005, I was visiting Chicago when I popped in to the Spertus Jewish Museum. While perusing the gift shop, I happ'd upon shelves of these tiny little rectangular boxes in all colors with embellishments like jewels, embossed letters -- you name it. Some had letters that spelled out Shalom, others images from Torah, and still others were very simple and plain. At the time, I had no clue what they were. I'd been studying Judaism for quite a while by then, and I was pretty confident in my general knowledge of all things Judaica, but these little boxes eluded me and there wasn't a gigantic sign that screamed "MEZUZOT! THEY GO ON YOUR DOOR POST!"

I left that day without asking the nice lady behind the counter what they were, and I didn't really think about it the r est of the trip. When I got back to Nebraska, for some reason, I started noticing mezuzot everywhere. The truth of it is, I knew about the mezuzah, I just didn't know the commandment behind it, nor did I know where they went or why. I knew the word, but that was about it. But now, after my encounter with dozens of mezuzot at a gift shop in Chicago, I was spotting them everywhere. It became like a game, trying to figure out what doorways in my shul had them and which didn't, and exploring why certain spaces had them and others didn't.

I didn't own a mezuzah until I converted in April 2006. The synagogue I converted through gave me the most magnificent, beautiful, pewter mezuzah (which you see in the photo here). I was elated, but kept the mezuzah packed away as I hopped from apartment room to room in Washington D.C. in the summer of 2006. Finally, when I landed my own studio apartment, I placed the mezuzah, for the first time, on my own Jewish home. I said the prayer, struggled with the hammer, and smiled at no one, knowing that this little box on my door with parchment inside screamed to the world "A JEW LIVES HERE!" (Of course, I lived in a garden apartment with a side entrance behind a gate, but still -- it was something.)

So the mezuzah -- In truth, mezuzah means "doorpost" in Hebrew. Commonly, though, people think of the mezuzah as the actual little case with the parchment that you hang on the doorpost. On the parchment is Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21, which consist of the "Shema Yisrael" prayer. And why do we post these verses on our doorposts? Because it's a mitzvah! Deut. 6:6 ... 6:9 say "And these words, which I command you this day, shall be upon your heart ... and you shall write them on the doorposts of your homes and upon your gates." The parchment is composed by a special scribe -- a sofer stam -- and the verses are written in special ink on special paper. The mezuzah is placed on the doorpost, on the upper third of the doorway, and typically it's angled inward (this is to accommodate the varying opinions of the sages as to whether it was meant to be vertical or horizontal, not to mention that it symbolizes G-d and Torah entering the abode). As you enter and exit the abode, as you pass through the doorway, you should place your fingers upon the mezuzah case and touch your fingers to your lips. There are a bounty of other bits and pieces about the mezuzah, but I won't delve into them all here. For example, very religious/observant families will likely have a mezuzah on every doorway -- be it a closet or bedroom -- while secular or not-as-observant individuals might just post one at the back and front door of the residence. There are a bounty of rulings about what constitutes a room, how far from the door the mezuzah should go, etc. I also recall reading something once about a mezuzah necklace being not kosher halakichly, but I can't seem to find anything on it right now.

The mezuzah can be found on the doorposts of the most religious and the most secular Jews, perhaps because the mezuzah can be the most outward sign on a home that the family within is Jewish, be it culturally, religiously, spiritually, or something in between. Chabad.org has a great "handbook" online with answers to all the questions that could possibly arise, from what rooms need a mezuzah to where to post it to what it's all about. There's also a great article over on Being Jewish about the mezuzah, not to mention this blog entry written by Leah (a guest poster here on JBC) about her mezuzah, and I think what she has to say is quite beautiful.

In my living room, I have shelves of Jewish books. A decorative dreidel. Extra mezuzot on display in a shadow box. In my desk drawer, next to my birth certificate, is an extra kosher scroll. Above my bed is a painting of the Shema.
More important than all the Judaica is, I hope, an ability to welcome family, friends and strangers into my home. That when I pass the mezuzah on the way out of my house, I carry it with me in my actions. The Judaica helps me see that I’m Jewish and tells the world that this is a Jewish home, but without Jewish actions and Jewish living–all the menorahs in the world won’t make it a Jewish home.

There are a million different Judaica sites where you can purchase mezuzot, and I'm pretty sure that just about every synagogue with even the smallest gift shop sells them. I think that the mezuzah is a beautiful symbol for Jews of all stripes, for essentially it breaks the bounds of being merely a religious Jewish artifact. As you enter and exit your home, you are reminded -- no matter how busy and flustered your mind might be -- that you are a Jew, that you have a Jewish home, no matter how you choose to make it Jewish.

So what's your mezuzah flavor?

(Edited)

Judaism as Math.

I had a revelation while working at the tea shop today. Yes, it was inspired by some things I was reading in Hartman's book that I mentioned in this post. I'm pretty sure this is nothing new, but it makes sense to me.

Judaism is like mathematics -- 99 percent of people need a personal application for it to resonate. 

You know what I mean, right? When I was in school, I loved math. I was the secretary of the math club, for Pete's sake! But the only reason I loved it was because I had professors who managed to offer me examples and applications that made the math make sense. Most people take math all through elementary and high school and by the time we hit Algebra we're all irritated because it's difficult to see these equations and formulas and theories applied in real life, and most teachers are so settled on the idea that math is what it is, that when asked how something relates, you're simply relayed the rules and told to apply them because that's how the forefathers of mathematics found things.

Judaism is very much the same way -- in both the circles of people who deny Judaism's authority and those who praise and represent it. On one end you have the people who are so fed up with trying to get how it applies to their life and what they personally believe that they just grow to deny the authority of Judaism. Then on the other end you have those who end up simply relating back to the rabbis who made the rulings authoritative without really stopping to think how it might apply personally.

And this, this is the problem with Judaism. Does that make sense? I need to elaborate more on this idea, definitely. But I think that thinking of Judaism like mathematics I've found something that makes sense to me. Does it make sense to you?

Shabbat shalom, friends and readers, and Happy Fourth of July!

I couldn't wait!

I came home from watching Chicago's big fireworks display from fairly far away at Montrose Harbor (the show is down in the Loop), and I was famished. There were fellows walking around selling things from carts, but since I neither read nor understand Spanish, I decided I'd better just wait till I got home. So what's the first thing I see upon entering the apartment? CHALLAH! Delicious, scrumptuos, locally made and Kosher challah. So I grabbed a mini roll and downed that puppy. And guess what? It's probably the best challah I've had since that Chabad Shabbat all those years ago when I was in college (that challah had to have had crack in it, it was seriously amazing ... we noshed bags and bags of challah rolls throughout the night). So I give you, delicious, nutritious, amazing local challah!

Books and Being Thrifty.

I just got back from the library, where I picked up a couple graphic novels (for the cleansing of my reading palate), as well as a book on the Dead Sea Scrolls and at the suggestion of another blogger, "A Heart of Many Rooms" by David Hartman.I also started reading Michael Chabon's "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" this morning, and I'm pretty enthralled with it already (I've started a variety of books in the past week, none of which kept me interested beyond a chapter or so -- hence the palate cleansing graphic novels).

Since my friend Nic is visiting next weekend, I've decided that I'm going to spend no more than $5 this weekend as a way of saving money (remember, in about a month I'm out of a job and in poor-student mode). Of course, I've planned into this that if I spend another dollar at Argo Tea, I get a free $5 on my Argo card! So in reality, I can spend a whole $10 this weekend at the tea shop and I'll be set. On the other hand, I figure I'll spend some time out on the beach or at the harbor reading and really take in some nature time.

This thriftyness and book reading hopefully will play into a few blog posts I have in the works. I want to blog about words (etymology) since I spent some time this past week reading the dictionary (don't ask), not to mention that I found a list of Yiddish words (thanks to a question posted on Twitter by the folks at the Jewish Treats blog) that have worked their way into the American Lexicon. Likewise, I've been reading some essays about Orthodox Judaism found over at the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals, which has given me some interesting food for thought. And finally, after a series of conversations with a friend about the place of religion in my (hopeful) future marriage and life with children, I have a lot to say and think about; very much talking out loud -- basically, I seem to attract and am attracted to folks of the non-Jewish variety, typically people with no real hardcore beliefs system (believe in a higher power/G-d, but not super religious, basically apathetic). Essentially, I'm trying to force myself to make a firm decision about whether I will or will not pursue a relationship with a non-Jewish person. This friend said that if you're in love, it shouldn't matter, right? Oy. If only that were how it is.

Anyhow, I just wanted to keep all of my readers (ha! right!) abreast of what's going on in Chavi land. Tomorrow's the Fourth of July and with a day off work, I'm sleeping in, being productive academically, and then heading to the Orthodox shul for synagogue and *hopefully* a Shabbat dinner if I can wedge myself into someone's (ay! I feel so bad doing this!).

Happy Fourth! Be safe, be thankful, be happy, be restful!

Oy!

I give you, a little humor from my daily "A Little Joy A Little Oy" desk calendar:

Three Eastern European Jews named Berel, Cherel, and Shmerel were talking about moving to the United States.

Berel said, "When I move to America, I'm going to have to change my name. They won't call me Berel anymore; they'll call me Buck."

Cherel said, "When I move to America, I'll also have to change my name. They'll call me Chuck."

Thinking a moment, Shmerel said, "I'm not moving."