aurora77

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Viewing 50 posts - 201 through 250 (of 353 total)
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  • in reply to: Rosh HaShana thoughts: #973208
    aurora77
    Participant

    that is beautiful and inspiring BaalHabooze!

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991145
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello zahavasdad,

    I think that’s a good idea — I can’t imagine how busy rabbis must be at this time of year.

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991143
    aurora77
    Participant

    Thank you both zahavasdad and ready now for your suggestions about how how to make more connections with the Orthodox community.

    in reply to: kosher foods at Whole Foods #896917
    aurora77
    Participant

    That should have been “to me,” not “tome”!

    in reply to: kosher foods at Whole Foods #896916
    aurora77
    Participant

    Thank you so much zahavasdad, Nechomah, and daniela for all your explanations and guidance regarding finding and eating kosher foods. Your encouragement is very meaningful tome, especially when I am daunted by the prospect of ever getting it all right!

    in reply to: World Trade Center A'H #1183753
    aurora77
    Participant

    That is so true WIY. Having a language that we can all communicate and share in is such a gift that I too often take for granted. Being able to relate on this thread to other people’s experiences as an American and more basically as a human is profound, when it comes right down to it. We are blessed that G-d gave us the means through language to share support, comfort, and console each other as we remember the unspeakable impressions made to our memories through our five senses on 911.

    in reply to: Selichos….ooooh NOOO #896463
    aurora77
    Participant

    Thank you WIY, this is very helpful and really fascinating to me! I think I understand the situation better now.

    besalel, I will check out that particular verse and try to figure it out!

    in reply to: World Trade Center A'H #1183751
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello besalel and 147,

    How you have carried the agony of those images these eleven years I do not know. Having watched the events that day second-hand on TV, I am still shocked at how fresh and raw these memories are for me. I think of you and everyone who holds pain and grief from that day, and I pray that we will never know another day like that again.

    in reply to: World Trade Center A'H #1183750
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello WIY,

    Thank you, I really appreciate what you just said — I have really tried to hone my writing skills since I was an English and writing major, then through law school and after as a child advocate. Isn’t it amazing how difficult it can be, but how beautiful it is when you can accomplish it, to catch the moment, it’s impressions, it’s feelings, with words and/or music? It is like holding a butterfly in the palm of your hand, it is so delicate and ephemeral. I am constantly awestruck by the ability of words and music, especially in a spiritual context, to move me. When it comes to a subject like 911, that sense is heightened beyond belief for me.

    in reply to: Selichos….ooooh NOOO #896460
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello besalel,

    That is beautiful! I agree completely. Is what you wrote in English a translation of the Hebrew? I don’t read Hebrew at this point but will be changing that!

    in reply to: World Trade Center A'H #1183747
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello 147,

    I have been thinking a lot about this too. Every year at this time takes me back to that day. This morning down here in Pennsylvania was so much like that day — pure blue sky, 70s, no humidity, just absolutely perfect to start.

    I will never forget walking into my 3rd year law school income taxation class first thing in the morning and seeing the professor scribble in big letters on the chalkboard “class cancelled.” Then we all went to a lounge in the law school referred to as the Goat and stood glued to the TV to watch the footage.

    We were too afraid to leave the law school and were unsure if Philadelphia would be a target, so we stayed for hours in the building and it’s center courtyard. It seemed that day as if every Penn Law student had family and friends in NYC and DC, as virtually everyone hovered in the courtyard trying unsuccessfully on the cell phone lines to confirm that loved ones were safe. I can’t even find words to describe the looks on my classmates’ faces. And all the while, I kept looking up at the clear blue sky — how did such evil come out of it that day? I could not understand. Things became very quiet in Philadelphia that day as the only things flying overhead were military planes.

    Eleven years later I still cry when I take the time to recall that day. My father’s family, Slavic immigrants to New York City, helped build some of the tallest skyscrapers, including the World Trade Center.

    I was 24, and all of a sudden, the world separated into “before” and “after.”

    in reply to: blessings for animals (in particular, pets!) #895981
    aurora77
    Participant

    I meant “San Diego,” sorry!

    in reply to: ATT POETRY PEOPLE #1168453
    aurora77
    Participant

    That is beautiful, puppy, thank you 🙂

    in reply to: kosher foods at Whole Foods #896912
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello Daniela,

    I eat a lot of mixed greens as salads,and I’ll usually have other vegetables like green beans, zucchini, corn, or broccoli with some grilled meat such as chicken, salmon, or hamburger. That is dinner. My lunch is often a grilled cheese sandwich. And for breakfast I will usually eat Cheerios (actually, it’s Trader Joe’s Os!). I absolutely LOVE cheese pizza but don’t make a regular diet of it. I drink mostly regular water or seltzer water or mineral water, and ALWAYS a lot of coffee with half and half. We eat vegetables very plain (including salad) — very rarely do we use dressings or sauces on them. I am hopeful that it will not be too difficult to make these foods completely kosher?

    in reply to: Selichos….ooooh NOOO #896458
    aurora77
    Participant

    Thank you very much Nechomah for your explanation and encouragement — it is so helpful to have both right now!

    Lebidik yankel and besalel, I am very interested to hear what goes on in other places and in other observant Jewish communities. What besalel said made me think of some questions I have, if anyone has some answers:

    It sounds from what besalel wrote that some people of Sephardic background are part of the CR. I often see on posts and threads here the word “Yiddishkeit,” which I had thought was an expression referring more or less to Ashkenazi Jewish people. Are Sephardic (and Mizrahi, for that matter) Jewish people part of the “Yiddishkeit” that posters here refer to? If not, what are the equivalent expressions to “Yiddishkeit” for Sephardic and Mizrahi people? Does the website name here “Yeshiva World” encompass yeshiva thinking and discussions that are primarily geared towards one of these three major groupings of Jewish people, or to all of them? Do people of these three major groupings tend to go to separate Ashkenazic, Sephardic, or Mizrahi yeshivas, or do they tend to all learn together?

    Thank you for your clarifications!

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991139
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello Borough Park Mensch,

    There is much for me to consider, it is true; I am trying to get as much information as possible.

    Regarding a daughter, or children more generally, what they would be allowed to do, and your question about how I would feel telling a daughter that college is forbidden — this situation is not something I have thought much about, due to the fact which I mentioned in a reply post above that It is likely that I can not have children.

    I am not sure at present how I would negotiate a situation where my work is something that other women in the community were discouraged from doing.

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991137
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello oomis1105,

    I am sorry that I somehow missed your post from several days ago! Thank you for your well wishes for my mother — she has been having some good days lately, so people’s prayers are helping!

    It was also kind of you to say what you did about enjoying my posts on various threads. I often think when I am posting that my questions must seem so stupid and basic and boring to people who are all so learned in their faith, like people in the Coffee Room are. Everyone is so generous with their time and help in responding, for which I am very grateful.

    I know it’s still a few days away, but I hope that you have an absolutely wonderful New Year!

    in reply to: blessings for animals (in particular, pets!) #895980
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello Daniela,

    I hope that some good possibilities for how to deal with the problem where you are come up if you ever need them again. It is daunting for sure, and it is wonderful that you have tried to help these poor cats already.

    On a happier note, one of the coolest homes for cats that I have ever seen is called something like the Cats’ House, I believe in Diego, California. A childless married couple has taken in about 10 to 15 cats over several decades in their home, and they have designed the house over the years to be “cat friendly”! It has elevated tracks near the ceiling, among many other features, to let the feline residents zip all around the house, into any room whenever they want. The couple has published several photographic books of their endeavor, and it looks as if their rescued cats (there is a dog or two as well!) think that they have hit the jack pot.

    Cleocatra looks at me with that expression too so often, like she is thanking me for having a good, loving home. It is just priceless!

    in reply to: blessings for animals (in particular, pets!) #895977
    aurora77
    Participant

    When I read the article I mentioned in a prior post on this thread (by Rabbi Jachter of Yeshiva University), the article mentioned that, regarding female pets, there is some question as to whether the prohibition against removing reproductive organs is Biblical or rabbinical (the article is clear that the same prohibition in regards to male pets is Biblical). I wonder what would account for the difference?

    in reply to: kosher foods at Whole Foods #896910
    aurora77
    Participant

    Thank you shein for explaining all of these distinctions to me!

    in reply to: blessings for animals (in particular, pets!) #895976
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello TCG,

    What a wonderful thing you did by taking in those three poor, defenseless creatures!! I almost cried when you spoke about the second one — is he/she in good health now I hope? I wish I could take in more too — the community we live in limits us to two pets, which we have (Ivy is Cleocatra’s kitty sister!). I get so sad and upset when I hear about cats and dogs being killed. I wish I could find a way to save every single one of them!

    in reply to: blessings for animals (in particular, pets!) #895973
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello Daniela,

    It is such a vexing problem! When I was looking around for information regarding the neutering of pets, I saw that a certain Sephardic authority has allowed it — the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Shlomo Amar — on the basis that it is to prevent cruelty to animals (a ruling made in 2007). If this is accurate (I am not sure, as I read it on Wikipedia), I wonder if this may be a growing trend? I guess time will tell?

    in reply to: I just got my Licence #896133
    aurora77
    Participant

    That is hilarious! Good luck with driving This name is already taken 🙂

    in reply to: Selichos….ooooh NOOO #896455
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello golfer and yichusdik,

    Thank you so much for your advice! And I have to apologize for taking this thread off-track for a few posts here — I’m sorry BaalHabooze!

    It really means a lot to me what both of you said about my journey in becoming Orthodox 🙂 Thank you for pointing me in the right direction regarding S.Y. Agnon. It makes sense, what you said yichusdik, about him using many Torah sources, because Days of Awe does not list him as the author, but rather as the editor. I suppose he was kind of splicing together various sources, because he seems to take stuff from all over the place — a lot of interesting stories. Some of what he cites I can understand, but there is also plenty that confuses me because I lack the necessary context, I think. For instance, with the section on Selichot, I could gather from what he cited when one starts saying the penitential prayers (in terms of time of day and time during Elul), but I am not even remotely sure what prayers are said or the proper way to say them! I have to get more info on the basics, I’m sure.

    in reply to: kosher foods at Whole Foods #896908
    aurora77
    Participant

    Thank you so much for explaining all of this to me zahavasdad! I have heard the “Whole Paycheck” thing about Whole Foods too. I was hopeful that since they seem to market themselves as organic and concerned about environmental and and other issues that they might pay special attention to various dietary needs like kosher as well. Is there any food or drink that is kosher naturally? As far as coffee chains (and I do LOVE coffee!), is there any chain in which the coffee is kosher no matter which store you go to? I am truly thankful that Breyers is kosher…I love their coffee ice-cream, surprise surprise 🙂

    in reply to: kosher foods at Whole Foods #896904
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello again Coffee Room,

    I am asking a follow-up question on this thread I began because I have been reading some things in the CR that confuse me regarding Kosher foods and drinks.

    As I write this post, I am looking at a box of Manischewitz matzo ball mix and notice the following designations that seem to be applicable:

    pareve

    a U in a circle

    a P

    Kosher for Passover and all year round

    What I am wondering is, are these symbols and statements enough of a guarantee that a product (at Whole Foods or anywhere else) is kosher enough to ingest?

    I have been uncertain after reading some things on, e.g., the recent thread about Dunkin’ Donuts.

    If these symbols and statements aren’t sufficient, what else should I be looking for on the packaging?

    Thank you for the guidance!

    in reply to: Selichos….ooooh NOOO #896450
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello Nechomah,

    Thank you for your encouragement and suggestions! I’m glad that some of the practices I can begin at home, especially while I’m still helpings my mother as she goes through chemotherapy. I am also hopeful that maybe someday I may still find my other half! I hope you have a wonderful New Year 🙂

    in reply to: blessings for animals (in particular, pets!) #895971
    aurora77
    Participant

    Cool! Thank you OneOfMany, I will check it out 🙂

    in reply to: crazy weather #895860
    aurora77
    Participant

    Wow 147, that is kind of eerie!

    in reply to: blessings for animals (in particular, pets!) #895969
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello yytz and Daniela,

    Thank you for your kind words and well wishes on my journey.

    Yytz, I have heard of Vision of Eden and am going to check that out for sure!

    I think that no-kill shelters are definitely the way to go, as you suggest yytz. I am not sure to what extent they are available where Daniela lives. It is awesome that you are trying to help these poor animals out Daniela! I did find an article from 1992 about Halachic perspectives on pets by Rabbi Howard Jachter of Yeshiva University Kollel Lehoraah (you can find it on the Internet), and in this article, Rabbi Jachter talks about the differing schools of thought on neutering and spaying pets. Daniela, maybe you could discuss this article with your rabbi to see what parts of it he adheres to, as this article does appear to indicate that there is some room to prevent pet reproduction and still follow Halacha. Maybe if your rabbi determines that some of the perspectives in the article are acceptable, then some type of action can be taken where you are that is consistent with your rabbi’s determination? There was some discussion in the article, for instance, about preventing reproduction chemically or otherwise without removal of the reproductive organs — the article suggests that it is the removal of these organs, rather than the infertility itself, that is problematic in terms of Halacha.

    This was just a thought I had as when I read this article. I would love to hear what you think?

    in reply to: Selichos….ooooh NOOO #896446
    aurora77
    Participant

    Thank you for explaining this to me shein, zahavasdad, and Shopping613. So it sounds as if saying selichot is something that a woman can do at home on her own. The editor of the book I’m re-reading is S. Y. Agnon — is that who you are talking about, Shopping 613?

    in reply to: crazy weather #895855
    aurora77
    Participant

    How I didn’t remember that, I don’t know. I can’t even imagine how I would feel upon seeing something like that on the horizon coming in my direction!

    in reply to: Number of Participants in the Coffee Room #921877
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello, I think I may be 122?

    in reply to: Space Between Cars When Driving #895674
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello iced,

    I am not sure about city driving, I am sorry! I think what people have posted here is much better than the smaller amount that I remember learning in Pennsylvania. We are pretty bad drivers down here it would seem!

    in reply to: Selichos….ooooh NOOO #896442
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello BallHabooze and This name is already taken,

    I was just re-reading a part of a book called Days of Awe, regarding preparation in Elul for the High Holy Days, and the text was discussing Selichot. Could you or anyone in the Coffee Room tell me if it is common practice to wake up at midnight to begin reading and reciting the prayers? The book makes it sound as if that is the case. Also, do women do this as well as men, and if they do, is there any difference in the way they go about doing this?

    Thank you for explaining the details to me, and I hope you have a restful Shabbos!

    in reply to: Mods? Mods? #1108085
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello Moderators,

    I hope you have a Good Shabbos! I had a a potentially silly but perhaps creative suggestion for the category “Controversial Topics”…perhaps it could be subtitled “The Stir” (with a play on the fact that you stir your coffee, or at least you do if you add cream and sugar!). Just a thought, sorry if it was stupid.

    in reply to: Space Between Cars When Driving #895666
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hi iced,

    I think I remember from driver’s ed. 19 years ago that, on the highway, it should be at least two car lengths.

    in reply to: blessings for animals (in particular, pets!) #895966
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello Daniela,

    That is such a predicament — I did not realize until I read some things here in the Coffee Room that it is prohibited to get pets spayed and neutered (I am becoming Orthodox after discovering Jewish family roots). I adopted Cleocatra from a rescue foundation that had saved her from a “kill” shelter, and she had been spayed by her previous person ( who had dropped her off at the kill shelter).

    It is such a desperate situation — these homeless pets on the streets need help so much. I am not sure what the solution is, given the prohibition.

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991135
    aurora77
    Participant

    I feel that way too zahavasdad. It’s nicer to make a personal connection too!

    in reply to: blessings for animals (in particular, pets!) #895964
    aurora77
    Participant

    That is so sad Daniela! I cry when I see abandoned pets. They just want love and a safe home!

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991133
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello zahavasdad,

    Thank you for your suggestion regarding how to get to shul.

    in reply to: Rosh HaShana thoughts: #973200
    aurora77
    Participant

    I meant “thank you”!

    in reply to: Rosh HaShana thoughts: #973199
    aurora77
    Participant

    Thank BaalHabooze, you are a thoughtful and funny poster — I always enjoy reading what you have to say!

    in reply to: public service announcement #895222
    aurora77
    Participant

    I was thinking about what GeshmakMan said. I did not mean to have a laugh at someone else’s expense or put anyone down. I am sorry for joking about it. I am trying to be more mindful of any lashon hora on my part. I apologize.

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991131
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello CallMeDave,

    Thank you for the welcome and the link to Rebbetzen Jungreis’s programs. I will check out that site. Happy New Year to you as well, with wishes for your health and happiness!

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991130
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello Mammele,

    I can always count on your kind, encouraging voice to lift my spirits! Thank you for what you said about me and my work — that means a great deal to me. Thank you also for your healing wishes regarding my mother; she means so much to me, and I think that everyone’s prayers are helping 🙂

    in reply to: Jewish meditation resources #895153
    aurora77
    Participant

    That’s a good idea — thank you zahavasdad!

    in reply to: Jewish meditation resources #895150
    aurora77
    Participant

    Thank you zahavasdad,

    It is good to know of resources in NYC in case I can make it up there for a visit.

    I LOVE it when there is a cantor! I find the singing to be so moving. Why are cantors becoming more rare? Their gift is so profound and inspiring!

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991128
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello SiDi, your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated! And my mother is having a really good day today, so all of those kind, healing wishes are helping 🙂

    in reply to: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered #991124
    aurora77
    Participant

    Hello SiDi, I really appreciate your thoughtful, healing wishes for my mother. I hope you get some good sleep!

Viewing 50 posts - 201 through 250 (of 353 total)