Resources and Articles by Eli Birnbaum

Aliyah Preparation:  The Whole Meggila On Oleh Rights
PLEASE NOTE THAT RULES AND REGULATIONS FREQUENTLY CHANGE. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY. As the old saying goes, "If I could make aliyah three times over, I may eventually get it right." Being an Oleh Chadash usually happens only once in a lifetime. As such, it is normal that any oleh chadash would want to used all of the rights and privileges that come along with that special status. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Oleh Rights

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 10 - Joseph and His Tacky Coat
And these are the generations of Jacob. Joseph was an adolescent and spent all day with the goats. "The kid's weird," Jacob complained. Joseph went and brought home the report cards of all his brothers and they were p.o.'ed. And Jacob loved him more than his brothers which Dr. Spock tells us is definitely out. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 11 - Dina Won't You Blow Your Horn
Once upon a time there was a maiden named Dina who Shore was fair. Dina liked nothing better than the night life. One evening at the local bar she did meet a becoming man of goodly proportions. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 12 - Israel and Hegypt
Now Israel, a.k.a. Jacob, who believed in large families, brought 70 of his souls plus a mess of kids to vacation at Disney on the Nile and to see its Jewel, the pyramids. And Jacob was Agathed at the site. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 13 - Draw Not Nigh Hither
And it came to pass in those days that Moses was grown up and he went out unto his brethren to look upon their burdens and see what he could pick up wholesale. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 14 - Moses' Restaurant
And the Lord did speak to Moses, saying, "Go unto Pharaoh and tell him 'Let my People Go'." " Sure, but go where?" "It doesn't matter, just let my people go." "Wait a minute! Is this an existential question about the right to go in general or a problem with the digestive tract?" [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 15 - Remember this Day for I May Forget
Once we were a noble People and had a service for 16 but then you children came along and now we barely have for six and it was a sacrifice. And the Lord had slain the Egyptians and delivered our houses out of the mortgage banks and the people did prostrate themselves to the floor but the doctors assured us it could be operated on. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 16 - Pharaoh, Moses, and the Full Deck
And at the stroke of midnight did the Lord lead the children of Israel down the yellow brick road. And Moses did look around and saw before him the vast wilderness and did exclaim, "We are no longer in Kansas!" And the Lord liked his phrase so much that He adapted it for Moses' song of the sea 'Oz Yashir Moshe' (Exodus 15:1). [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 17 - Man, Oh Man
And the Lord did lead them away into the Wilderness of Sin which bode no good for anyone. And the congregation began to murmur for they did remember the fleshpots of Junk food and they did even have cola withdrawal. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 18 - Lord of Hosts
And the Lord of Hosts did come and spake URLy in the morning: "I have decided that since you are a virtualis people I shall give you my lan and my code. Whereas it is only 8 bit you shall have 10 COM mandments. If ye shall accept it ye shall no longer RAMble. And I shall call it the Mosaic code." Moses decided to Gopher it. Moses asked the Children of Israel, "Will you download?" and they did reply as one logon. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 19 - Calffiene-Free
And after forty days the people did look at their watches and Moses was late even for Jewish time. And they began to murmur... murmur... murmur, "He goes off on vacation to the mountains and we get stuck in the deserts." [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: November
What happened in the month of November throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: December
What happened in the month of December throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: February
What happened in the month of February throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: July
What happened in the month of July throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: August
What happened in the month of August throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: September
What happened in the month of September throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: October
What happened in the month of October throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

A Time of Reflection:  Tisha B'Av - Mother of all Mourning
Tisha B'Av, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av (corresponding this year to Thursday, July 22), is traditionally a day of mourning. One might compare the day to "Friday the 13th," as it seems to be a day of supreme "bad luck" throughout Jewish history. This is not an accurate comparison, however, as Judaism does not believe in luck or superstition, but rather that man is, for the most part, master of his own environment and responsible for his own actions. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Tisha Be'Av

The Pentateuch:  The Bible According to Eli - Warning!!
The Book of Books, the Pentateuch, the greatest story ever told... Why would anyone want to do a spoof on the biggest best-seller of all time - especially if I don't make any money on it? [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 1 - .. .And the Lord Was Bored
Think about it: God has been around forever. Did you ever contemplate eternity? I thought I did when I took Chem. 201. Some sages disagree and state that eternity is root canal. Others from the more lenient schools of thought have described it as simply a dentist chair. Anyway back to God who is in His creative cooking mode: "What can I concoct? Maybe something that will really be freaky, something with a long nose that weighs 2 tons and is afraid of mice. Naaahh, no one would believe me." [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 2 - Cain Wasn't Able (Or God Created the First Mini-Series)
Adam begat Cain and Abel, and lo each opened his own public relations firm. A tender was offered by the CEO of CEOs, to be known forthwith as God, for control of the first multi-national corporation - to be known herewith as The World. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 3 - Noah (Or My Three Sons)
..and then there was Noah. Noah had three sons, but no TV series. He named one Ham - "you got to be kidding" said God "I don't believe it, a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn. What would your mother say?" So in Shame he also named Yafet. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 4 - The Babbling Tower
... and so the Ministry of Housing did meeteth and decideth "Let us build low-cost housing so that we can get more votes in the upcoming elections." And there was much nodding of heads both in agreement and in slumber for it was a boring meeting. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 5 - Old Abe
And Abraham was getting on in years; his pension check began to arrive at his tent on the 10th of every month. Then Abraham said to his trusted servant Tonto "Put thy hand under my thigh," and his servant was perplexed, for Abraham was always straight. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 6 - Hold the Pickles
It was a busy morning downtown where Abraham was shopping for clothes at Woolworth's, his two kids in tow. Ishmael was pulling him to the toy guns while Isaac was heavy into the Nintendo. Suddenly the loud speaker squawked "Abraham." Abraham continued to browse through the sizes wondering why he got stuck with the kids leaving Sarah at home playing Mahjongg with Hagar. The speaker persistently called again "Abraham, this is your God." Abraham Wouk up, "I just read it. Pretty good for a novelist." "Yo Abe this means YOU so button up and listen good" God growled. "Oh you mean me?" Abe asked meekly. "Forget the sales take your son and bring him to the mountain for a Big Mac." "Hey kids were going out to eat and God's footing the bill" Abe told his kids. "Welllll, not exactly" retorted God. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 7 - Esau and Jacob - A Tale of Two Siblings
And these are the generations of Isaac the son of Abraham who begat Isaac, who took Rebecca from Sunny Brook Farm, who was the sister of Laban, who was an Aramian, who really cares? [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 8 - A Tale of Two Siblings - Part II
Isaac was spending his golden years in a condo tent on the sunny beaches of the southern Negev Desert. His eyes were going dim and he forgot to change the bulb. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

The Bible According to Eli:  Chapter 9 - Jacob and the Sisters
And Jacob did beat it and split (although Moses did it better). He did journey and passed Howard Johnson's. Yes, as the day was hot, the masses were flocking around the entranceway. "Coke, we need Coke" came the cry. Alas the lock was jammed and the manager was tearing his hair out at the thought of all the business being lost. [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Texts

Land - property:  Buying Land in Israel
93% of all land in Israel is government owned. This includes both lands of the government itself and the Keren Kayemet. They in turn have given the land to the Israel Lands Authority to manage. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Housing

Numerology and Shavuot:  Hit Me a Seven
Any one who has played craps knows the importance of numbers. The idea that a number has more significance than just its quantatative value is prevalent in almost every society. [Full article...]
Judaism > Cholent: Little bit O' this, Little bit O' that
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Shavuot

Succah song:  The Small Succah - A Yiddish folksong
A Yiddish folksong in Yiddish and in English. Take your guitar and sing! [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Succot

Aliyah Preparation:  Army Service: How Much Time You're In For
How long an oleh is going to do military service depends on the following factors: Age on arrival (according to army regulations) Family status Physical profile [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Army

Aliyah Preparation:  Shlav Bet - FAQ - Joshua, the Maccabees, Rambo, and Eli
There I was finally donning the green uniform of Zahal. The culmination of these long years of fantasizing about myself as part of the new Jewish fighting force. I was proud. This moving force lasted approximately 10 minutes until some 20 year old twit with three stripes on his arm yells at me "Ya Maniac tafsik lishon" - "You xxx stop sleeping" . Then a new feeling crept over me - dread! During my stay in what was called basic training I had lots of time to ask myself one question - Why?!! [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Army

Aliyah Info:  How To Buy A Stereo - What You See Is Not What You Hear
When does technology become a nightmare? When you find that you are overwhelmed with complicated controls which seem to take a doctorate in order to read the instruction book. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Useful Information for the Oleh

Aliyah Info:  Step By Step - A Guide for Changing your Status to Oleh in Israel
PLEASE NOTE THAT RULES AND REGULATIONS FREQUENTLY CHANGE. THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY. How to become an oleh while in Israel. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Life as a Tourist (and the next step...)

:  .... Light My Fire
Hannukah is a GREAT reason for party. In fact, you can have a great celebration without having to put much thought into the content or preplanned activities. Just put out the traditional "latkes" (potato pancakes) and/or the "sufganiot" (jelly doughnuts) and you'll attract participants from miles around (who would pass up free food?). You can even throw in a candle-lighting ceremony complete with the blessings in whatever language, some group singing, and there you go... POOF! A Hannukah party! The End. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Chanukah
Judaism > Jewish Food

The story of Bar Kochba - a hero or a fool?:  A Revolt
Few characters are as enigmatic as Simon Bar Cosiba better known as Shimon bar Kochba. Literature and Legends abound. Historians are divided: Some call him a hero who, despite the desperate situation, tried to unite the Jewish people and overthrow the oppression of Rome. Others believe he was an egomaniac with almost Messianic illusions of grandeur. There is little accurate information written about him. Some of what we know are from the Judean Desert Documents found by Yadlin, from Talmudic Legends, the Roman Historian Dio Cassius, and Eusebius a third Century Church historian. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Lag B'Omer

A chance to start again:  The Highest Holidays - A Survival Guide
Always wondered about that - if these are the high holidays which are the lower ones? There always seemed to be this intense internal rush; sometimes it felt artificial. Whatever, depending on your upbringing, there was no real way you could get around them. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Rosh Hashanah
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Yom Kippur

:  Adolescents and Aliyah--The Dilemma
As any parent who has survived his or her children's adolescence knows, it is a time when a parent must hold his or her breath and pray to get through the period in one piece, with some self- respect, sanity, and, hopefully, hair, intact. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Aliyah Preparation

as retold with a bit of license by Eli Birnbaum:  The Concise History of the People of Chelm
Jan 1996 Within Jewish folklore there is no city more famous then Chelm (discounting Brooklyn, of course). It being Purim and all that, sit back and relax like our forefathers did with a decaf capuchino and a doughnut. Enjoy, it's Purim! What else are you going to do? [Full article...]
Artistic Expressions > Literature

Jewsh cuisine:  The Official (?) Guide to Jewish Food or Ess ess mine kind
Cholent, kishka, kreplach, blintzes, etc. are a part of our heritage. But what are all these thingis anyway? [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Food

Beit Mishpat Letviot Ktanot:  Small Claims Court
Having a monetary dispute with a local merchant, your plumber or the guy who plowed into your car? Taking them to Small Claims Court may be the solution. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Life in Israel

Jew In the Modern World:  The Chanukah Decision
Artie Fischer explores the holiday of Chanukah from an intensely personal point of view: how do you make a synthesis of two worlds without losing the best of both of them? Delving into the underlying facets of the Jewish holiday that is now upon us, Artie invites us to contemplate the importance of being a Jew in the post-Modern world, and all this from a proudly Maccabean perspective. Light your Menorah and read on.... [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Chanukah

Jewish Symbols:  The Kippa (Plural Kippot) = Covering in Hebrew
Today we accept that a religious Jew will wear a covering of some sort on his head. Even one who does not practice orthodoxy may choose to cover his head during a religious ceremony. Many of us probably picture Moses with a big black Kippah perched in the center of his head - actually as the greatest Jewish philosopher said, "it ain't necessarily so." [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Symbols

Jewish Symbols:  The Mezuzah
According to a recent Israeli Poll over 93% of all Israeli households have a mezuzah stuck on the right side of their door-posts. What's amazing is that only about 30% of the Israeli population calls themselves "religious." Is it just a superstition? Can it have the same effect as garlic and vampires, the cross and Dracula, a bath and my kids? [Full article...]
Judaism > Jewish Symbols

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: March
What happened in the month of March throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: May
What happened in the month of May throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish History:  This Month in Jewish History: June
What happened in the month of June throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish history:  This Month in Jewish History: January
What happened in the month of January throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

Jewish History:  This month in Jewish History: April
What happened in the month of April throughout Jewish history? [Full article...]
Jewish History > This Month in Jewish History

How to choose an Israel Program:  Pro CHOICE or Pro GRAM
Most of us asked friends and sometimes even family. But this is it: After hours of deliberation you have finally decided to take some time off from school and spend it in Israel. Now the only question is what is, "What should I do?" [Full article...]
Education
Israel Programs

Aliyah Preparation:  ASSOCIATION OF AMERICANS AND CANADIANS IN ISRAEL
AACI, a voluntary, non-profit organization, was founded in 1951 to aid North American immigrants in acclimating to Israeli society. AACI operates through five offices which provide a wide range of programs and services. The services AACI provides include: [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Useful Information for the Oleh

Aliyah InfoBase:  Keep Cool - Air Conditioning in Israel
There are 3 major companies producing air conditioners in Israel: Tadiran, Amcor, and Electra/Elco . Other smaller companies Pereg, Nature, etc... also exist, although according to my electrician, almost all the compressors are manufactured by the same company. The big differences is in the finish, efficiency, and features. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Aliyah Preparation

Making it in Israel:  Accountants
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY AS RULES AND REGULATIONS FREQUENTLY CHANGE. There is a steady demand for qualified accountants which is likely to continue due to current economic and legislative requirements. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Jobs

Aliyah Preparation:  Useful Addresses and Phone Numbers in Israel
Addresses to various offices, useful to olim, in Israel. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Useful Information for the Oleh

Aliyah Preparation:  How to find apartments for rent
I've had many many requests lately on how to best find apartments, either from within Israel or from overseas. So this is a list of the resources that I'm familiar with for finding apartments - almost all within Jerusalem. I'm very happy to hear of other resources, particularly of other cities (I don't live there so I don't have to look for an apartment there). Email me if you have any suggestions. Anyway, some of the best places that I've found have been: [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Housing

Aliyah Preparation:  Army Equipment - What to Bring When You Go In
The following is a list which we have accumulated from many sources. This list is intended for those of you who are about to go into basic training. If you have finished and are now only doing reserves, then just bring a kilo of good books and your pillow. We are always open to other ideas and opinions, so if you have something to add, don't hesitate to tell us. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Army

Aliyah Preparation:  Banking Rights For Olim And Tourists
THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY AS RUILES AND REGULATIONS FREQUENTLY CHANGE. A P'TACH account, which stands for Pikadon Toshav Chutz, is an account available for olim who wish to hold foreign currency reserves. This account can be held for many years from day of arrival. After this time, the oleh is still allowed to hold foreign currency as is a veteran Israeli, but no longer has the right to transfer the currency out of the country. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Oleh Rights

Aliyah Preparation:  Chayal Boded (Lone Soldier)
What is a Chayal Boded (Lone Soldier)? and Can he go to a kibbutz? are among the questions you'll find answers to in this article. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Army

Aliyah Preparation:  The Pre Aliyah Check List
Making Aliyah is difficult to say the least. Yet, people do manage despite the system. Some of those who managed wish to offer those in the process or not yet in the process some advice as to what needs to be done before making The Move. You will note that we did not write in when to do each item. This is because people work in different ways and at different paces. When we felt the timing factor was necessary we did include it. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Aliyah Preparation

Aliyah Preparation:  Cost Of Living And Wonderland -- FAQ
FAQ-list regarding the cost of living in Israel [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Aliyah Preparation

Aliyah Preparation:  Buying Appliances And Other Customs Issues
NOTE: This document is to be considered only as a Guideline for general rights. For anything specific, please contact either your local Shaliach or customs agent or refer to the customs website at http://www.mof.gov.il/customs/eng/mainpage.htm [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Oleh Rights

Aliyah Preparation:  New Business Equipment
PLEASE NOTE THAT RULES AND REGULATIONS FREQUENTLY CHANGE. THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY. Just remember that if you start a business, all income, by law, should be reported to the Income Tax Office, and all services provided should be documented by an official Sales Tax Receipt. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Oleh Rights

Aliyah Preparation:  To Heat or Not To Heat
One of the mysterious puzzles we face after making aliyah is how we were able to live abroad with below freezing temperatures but now the moment it reaches 5 degrees celsius we are freezing. Some blame the lack of insulation, some say it's the type of heaters, some even blame it on politics. To be honest all I know is I wear more sweaters and drink more tea then I ever did before. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Useful Information for the Oleh

Aliyah Preparation:  Katin Chozer / Ezrach Oleh
PLEASE NOTE THAT RULES AND REGULATIONS FREQUENTLY CHANGE. THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY. Frequently Asked Questions about a Katin Chozer or a returning citizen [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Oleh Rights

Air Tickets and Shipping Loans:  Aliyah Assistance
The Jewish Agency offers most olim assistance towards the cost of travel to Israel. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Aliyah Preparation

Aliyah Preparation:  Machal Hesder
Q: What is Machal Hesder? Machal Hesder is an Army program intended for religious students who wish to serve in a special framework. The length of the program is 21 months, serving in regular hesder units. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Army

Aliyah Preparation:  Mercaz Klita vs. Apartment FAQ
There is no doubt that anyone who doesn't speak Hebrew, who doesn't know Israel, and who is very limited in funds should consider a Merkaz Klita. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Housing

Aliyah Preparation:  Help! How Can I Afford An Apartment In Israel??
Purchasing an apartment in Israel seems like an uphill battle - esp. when you need to take a mortgage. However, many many families have overcome this hurdle and have the property to prove it.   [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Housing

Aliyah Preparation:  Organizing Your Mortgage
PLEASE NOT THAT RULES AND REGULATIONS FREQUENTLY CHANGE. THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY. It must be emphasized from the outset that the following is generally what is required. Circumstances may necessitate other documents, special processes etc. There may be minor differences from bank to bank. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Oleh Rights

Aliyah Preparation:  Bringing Pets To Israel
How to bring your pet with you to Israel. PLEASE NOTE THAT RULES AND REGULATIONS FREQUENTLY CHANGE. THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY. [Full article...]
Aliyah InfoBase > Useful Information for the Oleh

Chag Sameach!:  An Absolutely Very Short Guide to Keeping Kosher for Pesach
One of the greatest problems concerning the Passover holiday is keeping kosher. Keeping kosher is difficult for many of us in the best of times, but when Passover arrives, it becomes total confusion. I will try in a small way to explain the rudiments of it all. This is not intended as comprehensive guide to keeping kosher (which is not within the scheme of my expertise.) If you wish to delve into greater detail please consult you local Rabbi. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Pesach
Judaism > Jewish Food

The right of force against an evil which would threaten the fabric of Jewish culture and tradition:  Light Oily, Light Often
The story of the Maccabees is the quintessence of the greatness of an idea. Most of us have heard the story hundreds of times. It was frequently used as a psychological "upper" for Jews who were persecuted, who didn't have the possibility or the courage to fight against their oppressors. Throughout our history, when confronted with tyranny, we used the light of the story of the Maccabees to guide us through the maze of assimilation and isolation. Hoping for a clearer future, we stood proudly in the shadow of our heritage. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Chanukah

How to celebrate Purim:  Purim For Everyone!!!
Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow is the beginning of tax season - and it won't be deductible - is not exactly a Jewish phenomenon. Yet for some strange reason we are commanded to be happy. "Hey!" calls out a voice (suspiciously like James Earl Jones), "I'm God. Now hear your next commandment - Don't worry be happy." A bit far out... [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Purim

Happy Purim!:  IWD - Intoxicated While Dbasing
"Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow is Monday" is not exactly a Jewish concept, but this is one holiday where we are told go out and get smashed. Many reasons are given. One relates to the message that you are to let yourself go totally, showing trust in no one but God. Another reminds us that during the Feast of Ahasuerus many Jews took part, getting plastered with all that followed. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Purim
Judaism > Jewish Food

Four short stories on prayer:  You Don't Have a Prayer
The word for prayer is Tephilah which comes from the root PLL which means to plead, or judge. A different direction of the meaning of prayer is to be judged - to place yourself outside yourself in a position to be judged. [Full article...]
Judaism > Cholent: Little bit O' this, Little bit O' that

:  The Seder of the Seder
Of all the holidays of the Jewish calendar Passover has the most universal appeal. The theme is such that each of us can celebrate it in a slightly different light: The festival of Freedom, the birth of the Jewish nation, the ideal of man overcoming major obstacles in his fight for individual freedom of worship and expression. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Pesach

Beets, Horseradish and Matza - A guide to the gastronomic trauma of Pesach :  And The Beet Goes On ...
OK here it is again all around the table, our stomach protests just at the sight of it all. Our cholesterol level erupts just with the smells, and we get constipation at the thought. WELCOME TO PESACH! [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Pesach
Judaism > Jewish Food

Did you ever notice that on both holidays we spin something with our hands? :  Purim - A Spin-Off of Hannukah
It is usually easy for us to divide the world into two halves: The good and evil, spiritual and material, Huntley and Brinkley, Mickey and Minnie, ketchup and mustard... I get carried away with myself sometimes. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Chanukah
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Purim

A Holiday of Joy:  Fore........ or the Origins of the Species
Succot is known as the holiday of joy. We build booths of wood and branches and decorate it with pictures, hanging fruit, etc... Some people even put in their good furniture and carpets if the climate permits. Many Jews eat all their meals and some even sleep there for the seven days. [Full article...]
Judaism > Holidays with a Twist > Succot