Candlelighters
a place for women who cherish the TorahLoving Correction
by torahgirl
Let me start out with this – I hate correction. I always have. The “oldest child” characteristics (“most responsive to authority”) + a little perfectionism makes me very sensitive to criticism. I’m hesitant to display a finished project in case there’s something wrong with it… I hate making mistakes, even small ones like spelling errors or guessing incorrectly… I even get defensive about implied censure.
Sheep Will Always Need A Shepherd
by cndllighter
Picture a herd of sheep, scattered on a bright green hill. The sheep are stark white against the vibrant green grass. They appear like perfect white clouds…
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the law; for I would not have known about coveting if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.'” {Romans 7.7}
Now picture the same hill, but it’s winter, and the grass is hidden beneath a blanket of snow. It’s pure, and crisp. The same sheep stand on the hill, but now they do not look so white. Now with a perfect standard with which to compare them, we realize how fooled we were in comparison to the green hill.
U’vacharta Bachayim
by torahgirl
Another thought-provoking post from Rabbi Asher Brander at OU… I know it’s complex, but if you take the time to understand his point, it will strengthen your dedication to HaShem and reinforce your practice of faith.
These seven weeks between Tisha B’av and Rosh Hashanah offer sweet sounds of consolation and comfort, reminding us that the best is yet to come. In the haftorah, Yeshayahu offers a glimpse beyond, presenting a description of aesthetic beauty that will be our future Jerusalem.
And I will make your windows out of kadkod stone and your gates out of hewn stones and all your borders of pleasant stones…
Ari Abramowitz Comes to Charlotte
by torahgirl
Ari Abramowitz from Tuesday Night Live spoke at Bella Torah last week. Ari’s name means “Lion of Judah, Son of Abraham.” His purpose was to connect with us. His message? We are in volatile times – hence the need to connect, since we are on the same team. We are fighting the same battle. It is critical to understand what this war is really about.
What If…?
by sweet~pea
Each person’s life tells a story. With every passing day, new pages are added. I recently had the privilege of being a counselor at a camp for 13-16 year old girls. So many of these girl’s stories are laden with sorrow, pain, anger and bitterness. Most of them experience these feelings at the hand of family members… people who should be their closest supporters. My heart breaks every time I hear them tell of their abusive fathers, hateful siblings, uncaring mothers and disloyal friends. Home is not a place of comfort, but of fear. They are experiencing things no one should have to endure, especially not at their age. This leaves me broken for them, and yet thankful for my own loving family. I don’t know why G-d chose to give me the blessings He has, but I am so thankful. It also leaves me with this thought:
“What would our families, country and world look like if we were governed by the laws G-d’s given in His Word about how we are to treat others? What could be different about these girl’s lives?”
The Issue of Community
by guest contributor: beverly
I [recently] read the “JudeoXian Summer Vacation” blog and responses. The responses are not satisfactory to me, but what do I know? Seth’s quote that “Most Gentiles should find fulfillment and community within a local church that is committed to the relentless pursuit of discipleship to Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture, true community and theology untainted by anti-Judaism” is so odd to me. When he says find fulfillment and community it sounds so “me” centered.
Tisha B’Av Prep Guide
by torahgirl
The Time Between the Troubles ends this Tuesday with Tisha B’Av, after three melancholy weeks. As usual with HaShem’s calendar, some preparation is required in order to properly commemorate this day.
Tisha B’Av (Hebrew: תשעה באב or ט׳ באב, “the Ninth of Av,”) is an annual fast day in Judaism, named for the ninth day of the month of Av in the Hebrew calendar. The fast commemorates the destruction of both the First Temple and Second Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred about 656 years apart, but on the same Hebrew calendar date. Accordingly, the day has been called the “saddest day in Jewish history.” {Wikipedia}
The Three Weeks
by seeandimprove
We are now in the middle of a three week period of mourning the loss of both of the Holy Temples. The three weeks begin with the fast on the 17th of Tamuz and end after the fast on the ninth of Av.
Passport to Fluency?
by eshetkayil
I’m going to Israel! I am going…to Israel! I’m traveling over 5,000 miles to live in The Land this fall! =
I have to keep saying it, because I can’t really believe it.
Impressions of a PCA Service
by torahgirl
I had the opportunity to visit a church recently – a traditional Presbyterian one, no less, part of the PCA {Presbyterian Church in America}. Their service took place at the standard hour of 11am on a Sunday morning, bringing back a few childhood memories. {trivia: I was born during the 11am church service. Perhaps that’s why it’s always had a special place in my heart…}
Foodlessness
by eshetkayil
Yesterday, the 17th of Tammuz, was a public fast day. It’s not commanded in the Bible – it’s purely traditional. It commemorates five sad things that historically and traditionally happened that day:
- Moses broke the first set of Ten Commandments tablets at Mount Sinai, in response to the sin of the golden calf.
- The daily offerings at the First Temple were suspended during the siege of Jerusalem, when the priests could not obtain any animals.
- The walls of Jerusalem were breached, heralding the destruction of the Second Temple three weeks later (on Tisha B’Av).
- Apostamos, a Roman General, burned a Torah scroll, setting a precedent for the burning of Jewish books for centuries.
- An idolatrous image was placed in the sanctuary of the Temple.
There is Nothing New Under the Sun
by eshetkayil
I hope the title of this post is familiar to you. It should ring a bell. I’ll wait while you think about it.
Ok, done waiting. It’s from the book of Ecclesiastes. “That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun,” King Solomon laments in verse 9 of chapter 1. “Is there anything of which one might say, ‘See this, it is new’? Already it has existed for ages which were before us.” [I’ll just take this opportunity to rabbit-trail for a second and tell you that Rick Spurlock’s week-long study on Ecclesiastes, written to be done during the week of Sukkot, is absolutely excellent. You can find that at www.bereansonline.org.]
As my sisters and I – and I don’t know how many more of you – have been reading through the Bible this summer, we have found time and again that King Solomon was absolutely right! There is nothing new under the sun! The books of I & II Samuel, I & II Kings, and I & II Chronicles are replete with stories I’ve heard before.
Havdalah Halachah
by torahgirl
When does Shabbat end? Is it when the sun goes down? When you can see three stars? The moment the havdalah candle is extinguished? This is a tricky question. But does it matter exactly when Shabbat ends? Is it enough to say “Saturday night”?
The Waiting Place
by eshetkayil
I was recently honored to be asked to speak at a friend’s graduation. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to say – graduations, in my mind, are similar to weddings. It has to be *perfect*. Anyway, I decided to talk about waiting.
Awake the Dawn: Introduction to Shacharit
by torahgirl & tzadikguy
Prayer has been defined as “the service of the heart” or “in the heart,” as opposed to the service that was performed in the Temple, which consisted basically of the offering of sacrifices. The service of prayer is many faceted. In it we address ourselves to G-d. We may turn to Him in petition, addressing our needs to Him, and needs can be of many sorts. To pray for peace is to ask for our needs as much as is asking for food, rain, or prosperity.
–Entering Jewish Prayer: A Guide to Personal Devotion and the Worship Service by Reuven Hammer
On G-d’s Easel
by cndllighter
You’re standing in front of a mirror looking at yourself. Your mind is flooded with imperfections as you stare back. You have the power to change anything and everything with which you’re unhappy, unsatisfied. It is painless, immediate and efficient. Do you use this power?
Most people do not accept the way G-d made them – myself included. 😦 Every relationship in life will be affected by how we view ourselves. If we reject our design, it will be difficult to trust our designer. It makes us feel inferior and inadequate. We develop a balance: there is no good in the flesh (Romans 7:18), but we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). We are desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), but we are made in the image of G-d (Genesis 1:27).
The Quest to be Spiritually Hot, Part 3
by torahgirl
This past weekend, I overheard my grandmother ask my mom about her garden. “What do you have growing?” she inquired. My mother answered with details about the different varieties of plants in her garden. I began thinking about how “spiritually hot” fellow believers [for instance, a women’s Bible study group] should interact. Souls have often been compared to gardens because seeds are planted in both – the fruit of a person’s life shows what is growing in their soul.
Countdown: The Finale
by eshetkayil
One of the things I love most about our G-d is that He encourages our creativity. Very often, He will give a generic command, and allow us to shape and define what it will look like in our own lives. Let me give you an example: Shabbat. G-d gave us parameters for Shabbat. He told us not to light fires, not to work, not to transact business – just rest. What does Shabbat look like in the life of a believer? It depends on the believer. And the community. And the location. Do you see my point?
The Quest to be Spiritually Hot, Part 2
by torahgirl
Inspiration for your spiritual growth this summer
[Note: these are only the ones I’ve heard about – add a comment below or email me with your ideas!]
{1} It’s only appropriate to start this list with eshetkayil’s 10 Plague Project, the most creative motivation for community service I’ve ever seen. If you’re looking for fun, meaningful ways to get involved in your community, download the free 10 Plague Project outline from the orange box above and research the options available where you live. Eshetkayil posts occasional updates on the 10 Plague Project which have been a huge inspiration to me. Eshetkayil is living out the verse “in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths” [Proverbs 3.6]. You go, girl!!
The Quest to be Spiritually Hot, Part 1
by torahgirl
At a Tuesday night study a few weeks ago, we discussed having a productive summer. For most people, summer means some kind of change in routine, whether it’s moms who have a break from homeschooling, college students working a summer job, or kids with extra playtime. The daily grind doesn’t stop, of course, but the new season still seems like a good chance to reevaluate priorities and perhaps set some new goals. I found this unexpected but amazingly appropriate inspiration in Hebrews 10 last week:
Holy Woman
by torahgirl
Holy Woman is a biography of Rebbetzin Chaya Sara Kramer written by Sara Yoheved Rigler, available from Artscroll. This book has been on my shelf for a while but I just recently picked it up to read.
I was entirely unfamiliar with the life of Rebbetzin Kramer, so the story unfolded chapter by chapter as a complete mystery. Born in Slovakia right before World War I, Chaya Sara was sent to Auschwitz along with her family. Through a miraculous series of events, this young girl survived the Holocaust and ended up in the Holy Land, where she married Rabbi Yaakov Moshe Kramer.
Early Bird
by cndllighter
Get up early? No way! I need my sleep – I’m a hard worker. I’ll always have the rest of the day, besides, if I don’t finish what I need to do I can always work a little late…These are thoughts that have entered my mind many times when someone mentions getting up early. Our culture is focused around staying up late instead of waking up at dawn – we’re producing night owls rather than early birds.
10 Plagues: Update 2
by eshetkayil
I don’t know if you’re involved in the 10 Plague Project, but I am getting excited about scheduling my time and applying for different volunteer positions in our area. Here’s what I’ve done so far – let me know what you’re doing!
Are you counting?
by torahgirl
This week’s Torah portion, Emor, contains the famous “holiday” chapter, also known as HaShem’s calendar or the moedim (appointed times) – Leviticus 23. In our study on Tuesday night, we easily identified where we are on the calendar:
From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the LORD. -Leviticus 23.15-16
Wear it, declare it!
by torahgirl
Feelin’ Feminine challenges young women every month to spend a week embracing femininity and dressing in only skirts or dresses. I know a few of us already live this way, but for those who don’t, let’s give this a try! Here’s the outline:
The challenge is to wear only skirts/dresses for an entire week of seven days, and then post a photo of your outfits (head to toe) on your blog. If you don’t have exactly seven different skirts, that’s alright. Mix and match with different shirts. We can be not only feminine and modest, but frugal too!
Glimpses of the Holy Land
by torahgirl
My sister and I met the Froese girls in Wisconsin last year during First Fruits of Zion’s Shavuot conference. Tara, Amy, and Rachel Marie are in Israel with their family right now, and I’ve been enjoying following their trip online! I’ve linked to their journals below so you can take a look. These stories and pictures bring back so many memories! Visiting the Holy Land is an experience I think everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. I’m still waiting for one of my friends to move there so I can come stay (hint –> Danielle). 🙂
Tara’s journal – godsgirl711
Amy’s journal – justlikeamy
Rachel Marie’s journal – littlelamb95
=)
{Modest} Summer Girls
by torahgirl
Last week, we went on a “summer skirts” expedition, visiting a few thrift stores to see what we could find. It was fun and productive! Modesty is important all the time, of course, but it can be especially difficult in warm weather… so I’ve compiled a list below to help us prepare for the summer season. Add a comment below if you have any other suggestions!
Read the rest of this entry »
Stand By Me
by mashiki
Tuesday night we joined the Jewish community in celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israeli Independence Day! The party was in full swing when we arrived, thanks to passionate rock band Pardes setting the mood with lively Israeli favorites. We joined right in with the rest of the community in dancing, singing and celebrating their independence. It was not only entertaining, but moving to see people so unbelievably grateful for what G-d has done and is doing for the nation of Israel.
Why should we celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut? This holiday is easy to overlook and tends to come across as irrelevant to non-Jews, but how could we allow ourselves to forget how G-d has provided for His people? This nation is important to G-d, so I believe it should be important to us. Whether mourning the deaths of millions on Yom HaShoah or rejoicing in their independence on Yom Ha’atzmaut, we stand with and support the people of G-d. So turn up the Pardes, and join me in wishing Israel a Happy Independence Day!
You Have Heard it Said
by eshetkayil
This week, we get a double portion (did you catch the remez there? the words “double portion” should make you think of the manna given the day before Shabbat in the wilderness!). We read both Acharei Mot and Kedoshim. I didn’t know it before yesterday, but Kedoshim is definitely one of my favorite portions. Guess who else really liked it, too?
Defending the Hebrew Roots Movement: Part II
by godsgirl13
Continued from a previous post, “Defending the Hebrew Roots Movement: Part I.”
POINT #6: Watch for the doctrine that teaches if you don’t observe the sabbath, you are taking on the mark of the beast.
This doctrine is entirely unfounded. In addition, her notion that the vast majority of HRM believes this is equally ridiculous considering she only knows ONE law keeper who concurs. [godsgirl13]
Rachel Allison
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cndllighter
eshetkayil
Hergenreter
Christine Alexander
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talmeedahofyeshua
torahgirl
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Torah Technology
August 20, 2010 at 11:03 am · Filed under Instruction/Torah, News, Prayer/Tefillah, Reviews and tagged: Artscroll Mesorah Publications, Davka Corporation, DavkaWriter, Rashi's commentary, Selichot, Talmud, Yamim Noraim
by torahgirl
The latest Artscroll email is full of special offers from Davka Corporation. I don’t know much about Jewish software, but these applications look fascinating! If you have a chance, go to davka.com and take a look at the HUGE selection of Hebrew/English resources they have available. Here’s a quick list (sale ends September 1):
“A fully featured Hebrew/English word processor with advanced enhancements included as standard. It’s simple to use, yet exceptionally powerful. You won’t find better value in a Hebrew word processor anywhere.” DavkaWriter includes vowel markings, a huge variety of Hebrew fonts, and a Hebrew spell checker.
~
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