Rethinking the Afikomen

. . . The rabbis teach that after the destruction of the Temple, the Afikomen has taken the place of the Lambs that were sacrificed in the Temple and that it is the most important part of the Seder. Its taste should be what you remember from the meal. This Afikomen symbolizes the ultimate Passover [...]

As Often As You Do This

In my spiritual journey thus far I have worn many denominational “hats”.  Raised Catholic, I was “saved” in an Evangelical Friends meeting and years later became a member of a Southern Baptist Church before moving on to a non-denominational Bible Church. Since taking on Torah observance I have attended a UMJC synagogue and now attend [...]

A Word to the Weary

According to the Talmud (Pesachim 6a) for 30 days prior to the Passover one should learn and review the laws regarding this feast, until they know them well.  The festival of Purim is the 30 day mark prior to Passover and once the sun has set on that most joyous time thoughts are to turn [...]

One Size Fits Most

This past Friday morning, as I was braiding the Challah which I make weekly for the Erev Shabbat Oneg at my Messianic community, the doorbell rang.  It was my neighbor who lives across the street from me.  Coming in from the cold and dusting the snow off of her long wool coat she explained the [...]

A Fond Farewell . . .

“May it be your will Adonai our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers that just as I have stood up and fulfilled the mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah, so may I merit next year to dwell in the sukkah.”
 ”Next year in Jerusalem!”
On the still and mild evening of erev Shemini Atzeret, I said [...]

In the Shade of the Sukkah

Today I performed a most joyous task.  I decorated my sukkah.  With blue skies, temperatures in the mid 70’s and the trees in my back yard providing a splendid backdrop of yellow and red, I spent several hours arranging the cornstalks on the s’chach (roof), placing Indian corn, pumpkins and mums in various arrangements, and [...]

A Time of Mismatched Realities

“Horrible”, “worse”, “outrageous”; these are just a few of the descriptive words that came to mind as I found myself occupied with an unexpected chore in anticipation of Yom Kippur. . .  the chore of choosing a white outfit to wear on that day.  Traditionally, white is worn by both men and women on Rosh [...]

Heeding a Blessing in Disguise

A fellow nurse that I work with recently and unexpectedly spent two nights in the hospital. Every nurse dreads the thought of being on the receiving end of hospital care, so when he returned to work I welcomed him back and asked how his stay in the hospital was. Interestingly, he told me that the [...]

Preparing for Yamim Noraim

Last year I was not prepared for the High Holy Days.  The “Yamim Noraim” (Days of Awe) came upon me so suddenly that I found myself scrambling to review details and prepare for Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur.  Like a flash and a breeze the two Moadim came and went.  After they were over and [...]

Commercialism or Continuity?

The celebration of Sukkot this year held a lot of first’s for me.  It was the first time my husband agreed to build a sukkah for us to celebrate in.  It was the first time I invited family and friends to dine in the sukkah and share dessert with us, the first opportunity to share [...]