May your holiday be filled with light!

I have decided to post pictures from each day here instead of in different blog posts. Click here for more info on Chanukkah.

Labels: Holidays, Judaism

In honor of the upcoming holiday, take a moment and read this great column from Mark Steyn, "World Should Give Thanks for America". Steyn, a Canadian Journalist who grew up in England, humorously and poignantly describes the reasons he thinks the world should thank America, not the least of which is:

But on this Thanksgiving the rest of the world ought to give thanks to American national sovereignty, too. When something terrible and destructive happens—a tsunami hits Indonesia, an earthquake devastates Pakistan—the United States can project itself anywhere on the planet within hours and start saving lives, setting up hospitals and restoring the water supply.

Definitely a must-read.

Labels: Holidays, Politics

Two years ago I designed and built our sukkah—a wooden frame connected with metal brackets and bolts, 8 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 7 feet tall. The sukkah was designed with the intention of adding to it in stages, allowing each year to bring with it some new elements. Last year the addition was a wooden floor. This year, with a growing family and a memory of slight claustrophobia from last year, I decided to spend some time and resources to expand it.

The beauty of this idea is that the sukkah lends itself easily to expansion. It is almost modular in design, so adding another section was not hard to plan or to implement. I expanded the size to 14 feet by 8 feet, basically by shifting out the back wall and adding another section of boards to the center. The biggest issue I had was figuring out what to do for the new central poles in the structure. After playing around with some ideas and finding out what brackets are available, I decided the best approach was to use 2x4s instead of the 2x2s I have used for the rest of the sukkah.

I also decided this year to add some real walls to the sukkah instead of using reed fencing. My plan originally was to add some canvas walls, and I have to say, they look pretty good. We bought canvas painter’s drop cloths at Home Depot and grommets from Wal-Mart and made walls that let in light and are not hard to store. My friend Israel took apart the reed fencing so that we could use the reeds for the roof to help support the tree limbs. With a piece of carpet acquired from Freecycle and my hardwood floor from last year, the sukkah was complete!

I am thinking about putting together a How To guide for the sukkah design. If I did, would anyone be interested in using it?

Labels: Holidays, Judaism, Sukkot

Gil Student posted a nice little article on the halakhah related to how men do tevillah (ritual immersion) in a mikva. I highly suggest it as we prepare for Yom Kippur.

Labels: Holidays, Judaism

I wanted to post this on Friday before the chag began but ran out of time. This is our sukkah:

I designed this sukkah two years ago after our sukkah that year had some issues and almost fell on us. As you can see, it was not really that stable, and didn't even have walls (therefore, not even really a sukkah...):

I actually made our sukkah last year while we were still living in the apartment:

Unfortunately, we did not have a yard to put it up in and only got to use it over the weekend while we were staying in Houston. After that we had to rely on the rabbi and rebbetzin's hospitality to fulfill the mitzvah.

Well, this year we actually have a back yard (and what a wonderful one it is!), so we are able to have a sukkah of our own for the entire chag.

My main addition to the sukkah this year is a real hardwood floor. I don't like dirt and I am also not fond of grass that much, so having something beneath my feet (and my back when I sleep) is important to me. We went to Home Depot last week, and I thought about what would make the best floor. Plywood might have been a good idea, and definitely cheap, but I wanted something more substantial.

I ended up buying six 2in x 12in x 8ft pine boards to serve as the floor. I also bought some metal connectors. Getting the boards home was an interesting bit of fun (in my little 1990 Honda). Then I had to put them together... I found out that these boards are very heavy when they are all nailed together. With Lindsey's help and the use of Chaya's little push car, I was able to get the floor moved a total of 10 or so feet from the patio to the place where the sukkah was going to be. Now I have to decide what to do with the floor after the chag is over. It is too heavy to move in one peice, and I'm not sure if taking it apart is going to be doable... We'll see...

I'll post more pictures after the chag, and probably add some from the past few years, too.

Chag Sameach everyone!

Labels: Holidays

May you be inscribed for a good year!

Labels: Holidays

As we celebrate our independence on this special day, I ask you to remember that our Founding Fathers wanted to create a nation where people from all walks of life and all belief systems could live and flourish. Take time to remember the men and women who have worked hard, suffered long, and even given the ultimate sacrifice for the creation and preservation of those rights. The speech that Patrick Henry gave before the delegates of the State of Virginia when they were voting on whether to fight against Britain in the American Revloution sums up my thoughts on the importance of our liberty. I memorized this speech when I was in High School, and it has been a fire in my bones ever since.

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?

For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth—to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House?...

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.

If we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending—if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak—unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!"—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!

Patrick Henry - March 23, 1775

Labels: Holidays

Though it was totally unintentional, my good friend Israel has brought to my attention a valuable lesson regarding this special time of year. Before Pesach begins we clean all of the leaven (chametz) out of our houses. This act of preparation, called bedikat chametz, hopefully reminds us to clean out all of the sin (related to leaven in many ways) that has accumulated in our lives over the past year, too. What Israel brought to my attention is that there is another item that is equated with chametz in many ways in the Torah: se'or.

The word se'or refers to a piece of old dough that has become fermented and can be used for leavening, like sourdough. Se'or is the precursor to chametz, and the rabbis saw se'or as a metaphor for the drives and passions that can lead us into sin (see Brachot 17a). As we continue our celebration of Hashem's redemption, let us not forget that getting rid of the chametz is not enough. We must also get rid of the se'or that can lead us to chametz.

More on chametz and se'or at JewishGates.

Labels: Holidays

To all of you celebrating Pesach this year (begins sundown Wednesday), Lindsey, Chaya, and I wish you a Chag Sameach v'Kasher — a Joyous and Kosher Pesach!

Labels: Holidays

I have posted a small album of my photos from our Purim Party last week. Enjoy!

Labels: Holidays

Labels: Holidays

Labels: Holidays

Labels: Holidays

May the light of this festival increase your faith and give you joy.

The Tallents

Labels: Holidays

Just writing a quick post to tell everyone shavuah tov (have a good week)! Two weeks until Israel. Any suggestions for me as I plan my trip? What to take, where to eat, what to wear, etc?

Labels: Holidays

In case I don't get around to posting tomorrow before sundown...

‏לשנה טובה‎

Labels: Holidays

Chanukkah is such a great holiday. Even though I am of the opinion that the push to make it compete with Christmas is silly, I do think that celebrating the deliverance of the Jewish people and the defeat of the bad guys is one of the best things about Judaism. Plus, as one Chanukkah card says so succinctly, Judah Maccabee could beat up Frosty any day. ;)

Lindsey and I have been celebrating this year in a spacial way: she has been in the complete dark about our plans and I have been having a blast surprising her. Having a two-month-old baby has been an interesting addiditon to my plans fo this year, but Chaya has been quiet and non-disruptive in the various activities we have done so far. She is such a great baby!

So, I came home from work on the first night and brought Lindsey a dozen roses. She loves two-tone roses, and the ones I bought her are certainly beautiful. Then on Thursday night I surprised her with a trip to the theatre. There is a community playhouse in Round Rock named Sam Bass Theatre, and they were showing a version of "Anne of Green Gables." It is hard to find quality entertainment in December that is not Christmas-related, so I jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of this one.

Then last night, Motzei Shabbos (after Shabbat was over), I took Lindsey to see the Violet Crown Radio Players. They are a live-radio acting troupe that does old and faux-old radio shows for live audiences, just as if you were in the studio. They were performing "It's a Wonderful Life," which I figured was non-Christmassy enough to enjoy. They are very good! I want to get a copy of their War of the Worlds CD sometime, as I am sure it is great, too. Lindsey's face was classic. She was completely surprised when we got to the venue, because she could not guess what we were about to do (mission accomplished!).

Tonight Beth Chaim is having a Chanukkah Party, so that is our special event for the evening, and tomorrow I have an outing planned that I think Lindsey will really enjoy. (Sorry, I'll have to leave you in suspense for now...)

Labels: Holidays

Labels: Holidays