fourthrabbi

Flip Flop If there is one item in my wardrobe that is

2005-01-12T18:13:00.000-08:00

Flip Flop

If there is one item in my wardrobe that is emblematic of my personality and lifestyle, it is the flip flop. Unlike many women, I'm not shoe crazy; I don't even own too many shoes. Flip flops and sandals are another matter. The mere sight of them in a store or catalog is enough to bring a smile to my face as my mind suddenly fills with images of gentle, plumeria-scented trade

The Invisible Woman Before my younger son was born, I would

2005-01-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

The Invisible Woman

Before my younger son was born, I would regularly attend a weekly Torah class at my local Chabad. One class in particular stands out even after several years. I had arrived a few minutes early, and the only person in the room was a clean shaven, elegantly dressed older gentleman reading a paper. I greeted him politely. He completely ignored me; he simply continued to

Fear of a Black Hatted Blogger Stumbling across Hasidic

2005-01-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

Fear of a Black Hatted Blogger

Stumbling across Hasidic Rebel's blog (eons ago) was like the first time I heard the music of Run-DMC: the rush of encountering something new and exciting, along with the knowledge that it was part of something that was only going to get bigger.

In many respects, the comparison to rap music is apt. In a recent post, Yoinoson observed that blogs, being the '

. . . Come, see real flowers of this painful world. --

2005-01-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

. . .

Come, see real
flowers
of this painful world.

-- Basho

A Long Shadow My brother-in-law sent me an e-mail today from

2004-12-30T14:26:00.000-08:00

A Long Shadow

My brother-in-law sent me an e-mail today from his winter home in Phuket, Thailand. He and his friends are trying, as much as possible, to get back into some kind of normal routine. He writes that "the cleanup is moving along well as lots of volunteers from different countries have flown in, but the overall feeling is one of surrealism and confusion. Patong Beach has always

Swept Away I have the habit of reading the obituary section of

2004-12-26T17:37:00.000-08:00

Swept Away

I have the habit of reading the obituary section of my local paper every day. I used to regard this as a morbid practice, until the day about a year or so ago when I was inexplicably drawn to the somber columns with their postage stamp sized photos. Now scanning the notices has become part of my daily ritual. As I read about the deceased - their education, their work, their families

Enviable Glories of the Table In 1847 Rabbi Elia Benamozegho

2004-12-21T20:04:00.000-08:00

Enviable Glories of the Table

In 1847 Rabbi Elia Benamozegho exclaimed "Italian Jews! Two great names, two enviable glories, two superb crowns are united in you." No doubt it was the cooking of Italian Jews, cucina ebraica, which inspired such extravagant (if deserved) praise. Cucina Ebraica, written by former restaurateur and ardent Italophile Joyce Goldstein, is an excellent introduction to

Conscious Oranges and Mystic Laundry I recently came across a

2004-12-15T22:39:00.000-08:00

Conscious Oranges and Mystic Laundry

I recently came across a delightful poem by Rabbi Yehoshua Karsh on his blog, Musings of a Jewish Soul, which is reprinted below with the kind permission of the author:

An orange
Rests on an empty plate
It is at peace

My spirit
Resides in my body
It is aflame

The consciousness
Which hides behind my forehead
Would like my spirit to be more

Who is a Chasid? Yehoshua raised an interesting question in a

2004-12-01T14:51:00.000-08:00

Who is a Chasid?

Yehoshua raised an interesting question in a recent post on his blog; namely, who or what is a Chasid? His question intrigued me because Chassidus, and in particular Breslov, captivates me. Don't ask me to explain; like all matters of the heart, it defends against easy explanations.

As I understand it, the Baal Shem Tov started the Chasidic movement in order to reach Jews

Oy, Chrismakkuh Normally this time of year, I am one cranky

2004-11-29T15:59:00.000-08:00

Oy, Chrismakkuh

Normally this time of year, I am one cranky Jewess. The holiday season is officially upon us, a time of manufactured cheer, ersatz mirth, and exhortations to shop, shop, shop. Then there's the dread scourge of Chrismakkuh, that Frankenstein creation of well meaning folks who think that playing spin the dreidel by the Christmas tree is the acme of multiculti harmony and joy.