Fasting on Yom Kippur
If I hear this one more time, someone's gonna have a bloody nose. "Oh, I hope I lose weight on Yom Kippur!" I don't know how to break it to you, but G-d's intention is not to have a skinnier nation on 11 Tishrei. Sorry.
The purpose of fasting on Yom Kippur is NOT to lose weight. It's to be like angels and beg G-d for forgiveness for being such shallow idiots that that thought enters/dominates our minds. Surely, in this image-obsessed society, many people have entertained that thought. Keep it there. IN your head, because by saying it out loud, you reveal how shallow and self-invloved you are.
Donations in Shul
My brother informed me of this rare event, so I thought it important to publicize. One man in shul placed a bid for an Aliyah. The Gabbai asked he speak up so that his generosity will be heard by all. "No, we ........s don't announce these things." They pushed him, "Please, be Mechazek the Oylam..." He remained strong in his modesty, and refused.
Trust me, the guy was generous. I don't know how difficult it was for him to be so quiet about the money, but I respect him
so much for it. He was given the chance to flaunt his money, but resisted it. How many people can say they've done the same?
A Long Davening Isn't Necessarily A Good Davening
My family davens in a shul that finished 2:45 Rosh Hashana. Last year, I smartened up and went to a different shul for Yom Kippur. My high school principal, who davens in my family's shul asked where I had been. I bragged that my shul ended 1:30. She was very upset that I looked like it was a good thing. It was. I actually enjoyed that davening much more than I ever had. They didn't shlep, but they didn't rush. There was no incessant yappering. Just a nice group of sincere people who wanted to daven. When I explained to this woman that I was able to concentrate better in that shul, she proceeded to convince me that the other shul was better because if i finish so early, what am i doing all day if not davening-it leads to me wasting time. I know we are supposed to be on the level of Malachim on Yom Kippur, but I am not
that good. Anyway, my point is that if your shul finishes earlier than others, but you davened well, and davened everything, then you're no worse than the ones that stayed all day.
Talking In Shul
Two words: SHUT UP.
I mean it. Just be quiet. Control yourself.
I don't attend shuls like that anymore, but people that do came home astounded at the Rabbi's harsh speech about people talking in shul, and how he said that if they feel the need to talk, they should just leave.
He is exactly right.
If you are going to talk in shul, don't bother coming. Shul is not for socializing, it's for davening. if you feel the need to get together with your friends Shabbos morning, make a rotation and meet at one woman's house every Shabbos. This way you don't have to wait 'till Leining or sit through the Rav's speech. People won't have the chutzpah to shush you. You'll just socialize and chat on Shabbos morning. You can even get dressed up and compete with your wardrobes, and talk about the other women when they're not listening. As long as you don't disturb my davening.
No Matter What Time of Year...
No matter what time of year, we are always working on ourselves. G-d wants us to be on our best behavior at all times.
I'll begin in Elul-you're working your way up to Rosh Hashana, so of course you're gonna behave yourself.
Until then, it's Yom Kippur.
Then they say that Shmini Atzeres is the final sealing. So you're still good throughout Succos and beyond.
Then there must be something about Chanuka that I haven't learned yet. Because Purim is is the essence, since Yom Kippur is "Yom Kipurim"--A day LIKE Purim. So that oughta keep you. From then, you're building yourself up for yetzias Mitzrayim. One of my brothers once mentioned in his Dvar Torah on Seder Night that a person is on his highest Medreiga (level) at the Seder.
Then, you are preparing yourself for Kabbalas HaTorah--accepting the Torah.
After that, you're on good behavior until you get to Tisha B'Av....and then you're basically back where we started-getting ready for Rosh Hashana.
So, the truth is, there is no time to fool around. Just be good all the time. Don't think, "I'll sin now and be forgiven for it later." There's no time for that. So, let's ALL do teshuva and be good Jews so that we can finally be redeemed!!
PS if you know a reason to work on yourself in anticipation of Chanuka, please post it. Thanks.
Ksiva V'Chasima Tova
I started 3 posts tonight. I stopped in middle becuase I thought they might lead to Lashon Hora. Talk to me a few weeks after Yom Kippur. Until then, I'll either think of something nice to say, or accumulate great juicy pieces for after Yomim Tovim.
Have a Happy Healthy Year everyone (and me!!)
~Your favorite Blogger
Michelle
No Boots
The latest rule in a local Bais Yaakov high school: No tall boots. But wait! You can wear them
to school, and
back from school, but not
in school. I know, you're all thinking, "What's wrong with this school?" Hear me out.
I know why. I've seen it. Bais Yaakov students risk being picked up on the street corner while they strut their stuff in their slutty boots. That means --if anything-- they should be allowed to wear them in school, but not outside. But that wouldn't make too much sense because they need the warmth that they provide
outdoors.
Some kids were able to pull it off okay. They came in tall boots, but didn't look provocative. Obviously, it's possible. It's always the few bad ones that ruin it for the good ones.
Now, if they'd outlaw the boots altogether, students will still wear them. But if they say nothing, they are not doing their jobs.
Solution: (which is always easier said than done) Teach them why it's wrong to look like a slut, how to dress more modestly, and how to be able to carry the boots (the right boots, of course) properly.
