Monday, October 31, 2011
Mazal Tov!
B"H my sister had a healthy baby girl this morning! Niece number 2! May the parents have lots of nachas from her!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Fire and ice
Remember what it felt like to be a 17 year old boy and think you knew better than everyone else about everything? Ya, not me.
But there are some things which are just plain stupid. Like leaving to a destination an hour and a half before Shabbos starts. Sure, little brother says. I'll get there in time. Doooon't woooorry.
5:40 Friday afternoon- stuck on the Williamsburg bridge en route to Crown Heights for Shabbos.
Not only do we have no idea where he spent Shabbos, or if he is okay, but my mother went into Shabbos worrying about him and what he would do.
Word to the wise- or rather, the dumb, do not leave yourself at the mercy of shabbat.com, (a website where families can register as shabbos hosts for guests or stranded travelers) or local shluchim. Leave yourself enough time to get to your destination before shabbos.
Playing with fire is dangerous.
In other news, it snowed! Me being a non-believer, I didn't believe the weather forecaster who said we were expecting snow. So when I woke up and saw white outside my window I grabbed my glasses and- behold! White fluffy chunks were descending from the heavens!
We sat at the shabbos meal and watched people trudge through the snow all day, their hats covered with plastic bags. I was not brave enough to go outside.
Snow in October????? Weird stuff. But snow always makes me feel like a kid again, the urge to pick up a handful, form it into a snowball and lob it at an unsuspecting passerby.
UPDATE: my brother is safe and made it to Crown Heights for shabbos. Since he will never read this blog I get to say: you idiot!
Enjoy the snow! Falalalala winter wonderland!
But there are some things which are just plain stupid. Like leaving to a destination an hour and a half before Shabbos starts. Sure, little brother says. I'll get there in time. Doooon't woooorry.
5:40 Friday afternoon- stuck on the Williamsburg bridge en route to Crown Heights for Shabbos.
Not only do we have no idea where he spent Shabbos, or if he is okay, but my mother went into Shabbos worrying about him and what he would do.
Word to the wise- or rather, the dumb, do not leave yourself at the mercy of shabbat.com, (a website where families can register as shabbos hosts for guests or stranded travelers) or local shluchim. Leave yourself enough time to get to your destination before shabbos.
Playing with fire is dangerous.
In other news, it snowed! Me being a non-believer, I didn't believe the weather forecaster who said we were expecting snow. So when I woke up and saw white outside my window I grabbed my glasses and- behold! White fluffy chunks were descending from the heavens!
We sat at the shabbos meal and watched people trudge through the snow all day, their hats covered with plastic bags. I was not brave enough to go outside.
Snow in October????? Weird stuff. But snow always makes me feel like a kid again, the urge to pick up a handful, form it into a snowball and lob it at an unsuspecting passerby.
UPDATE: my brother is safe and made it to Crown Heights for shabbos. Since he will never read this blog I get to say: you idiot!
Enjoy the snow! Falalalala winter wonderland!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Simply, Good Shabbos
I bumped into a girl who I went to high school with. As we were catching up she said, 'I really liked getting your emails, they were really nice to read.' I wracked my brain to figure out what she was talking about. Then I remembered that I used to send out mass emails before every Yom Tov. I used to send out a lot of nice inspirational emails, but have not done so in awhile, mainly because I now have a blog where all my inspiration is vetted, and also because time has passed and I have lost touch with people I used to be close to.
This post is not about losing touch, nor the passage of time, although there is a lot to be said on that topic.
This is simply, good shabbos.
When I was in 5th grade we had a system called 'Shabbos phone calls', and my teacher set it up so that each girl would call one girl to wish her a good shabbos, as well as receice a good shabbos wish from another girl. It's a great concept, yes, but for a girl who is shy or gets nervous on the phone, it was hard or me every week to force myself to do it. But then I thought about that poor girl not getting a good shabbos from me, maybe waiting by the phone, (okay that is a bit melodramatic.) Or how I would feel to not get a call.
And so every week I called one girl in my class to wish her a good shabbos.
Life gets in the way and we abandon these simple pleasures. Yes I say pleasures because I smile every time I get a good shabbos text from someone, knowing that they took the time to think of me. And I want to make others feel the same way.
I used to text a few people to wish them a good shabbos. Now I will occasionally call my mother if I am not home, and maybe text a friend or two.
Now I am in a jovial mood, despite the forecast of snow. I am home for shabbos, I hugged my baby brother, (he's 14, but still a baby :) ) and my sister made chicken soup! I haven't had chicken soup in a long time.
I hope my good mood will rub off on all of you.
So here's a simple good shabbos wish, and enjoy the simple pleasures in life!
I liked Sheva's post from my shtub. It gets you in the mood.
This post is not about losing touch, nor the passage of time, although there is a lot to be said on that topic.
This is simply, good shabbos.
When I was in 5th grade we had a system called 'Shabbos phone calls', and my teacher set it up so that each girl would call one girl to wish her a good shabbos, as well as receice a good shabbos wish from another girl. It's a great concept, yes, but for a girl who is shy or gets nervous on the phone, it was hard or me every week to force myself to do it. But then I thought about that poor girl not getting a good shabbos from me, maybe waiting by the phone, (okay that is a bit melodramatic.) Or how I would feel to not get a call.
And so every week I called one girl in my class to wish her a good shabbos.
Life gets in the way and we abandon these simple pleasures. Yes I say pleasures because I smile every time I get a good shabbos text from someone, knowing that they took the time to think of me. And I want to make others feel the same way.
I used to text a few people to wish them a good shabbos. Now I will occasionally call my mother if I am not home, and maybe text a friend or two.
Now I am in a jovial mood, despite the forecast of snow. I am home for shabbos, I hugged my baby brother, (he's 14, but still a baby :) ) and my sister made chicken soup! I haven't had chicken soup in a long time.
I hope my good mood will rub off on all of you.
So here's a simple good shabbos wish, and enjoy the simple pleasures in life!
I liked Sheva's post from my shtub. It gets you in the mood.
Theme song
Didn't you ever wish that your life was accompanied by music at all the epic moments? If your life was a TV show, what would be the theme song?
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Freezing toes and carrot nose
Wind blowing through thin orange sweater
So cold, hating this weather.
Watching the temp dropper, wondering how low it'll go,
when in Albany they already have snow.
Can't breath throw my nose, freezes my insides,
When will this fierce wind subside?
Freezing cold but warm inside,
these two at odd through the window collide.
Causing fog, a misty glow
I draw a frown so you will know.
Winter winter go away,
Oh how I miss the summer days.
Frolicking in the pool soaking up the sun,
now all the fun is done.
Snow man with carrots, snow balls afly,
sun no where to be found in the sky.
Wishing for summer to come again,
when will winter be over, oh when?
So cold, hating this weather.
Watching the temp dropper, wondering how low it'll go,
when in Albany they already have snow.
Can't breath throw my nose, freezes my insides,
When will this fierce wind subside?
Freezing cold but warm inside,
these two at odd through the window collide.
Causing fog, a misty glow
I draw a frown so you will know.
Winter winter go away,
Oh how I miss the summer days.
Frolicking in the pool soaking up the sun,
now all the fun is done.
Snow man with carrots, snow balls afly,
sun no where to be found in the sky.
Wishing for summer to come again,
when will winter be over, oh when?
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Only Simchas!
I have a dilemma, a very big dilemma, but it is a good dilemma, one that many people should have to make.
Two of my classmates/friends are making their wedding on the same day! I just found out. One scheduled hers like a month ago. The other girl just decided recently, without knowing that the 1st girl already picked that date.
I like them both equally, (they are not reading this :) ) one wedding is 'in town' (meaning 4 hour drive), the other wedding is a 10 hour drive/bus ride away. I wish I could clone myself and go to both.
Oh, what to do?
Two of my classmates/friends are making their wedding on the same day! I just found out. One scheduled hers like a month ago. The other girl just decided recently, without knowing that the 1st girl already picked that date.
I like them both equally, (they are not reading this :) ) one wedding is 'in town' (meaning 4 hour drive), the other wedding is a 10 hour drive/bus ride away. I wish I could clone myself and go to both.
Oh, what to do?
Oprah!!
Not only did I miss seeing her, but my sister-in-law got to meet her!!! How cool is that??
Ya I'm feeling very jealous right now.
What lies ahead
Strain your eyes
to see the goal.
Though it may be far away,
you'll get there someday.
If you work for it.
The important things in life
don't come easy.
But how much greater it feels
when you accomplish them.
Ask the person who was paralyzed
and learned to walk again.
Or the blind man
who paints.
To say "I can't"
is to give up without trying.
And if you have not even tried,
you have already failed.
Walter Hagen said, "You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."
But if you stop,
don't forget to start again.
Be sure to not get distracted by the little unimportant things in life
and lose site of the goal.
Lest you forget what you were brought down here for.
And some things that seem important or devastating in the moment,
might later turn out to be nothing at all.
So stay focused.
Never lose sight of the goal.
to see the goal.
Though it may be far away,
you'll get there someday.
If you work for it.
The important things in life
don't come easy.
But how much greater it feels
when you accomplish them.
Ask the person who was paralyzed
and learned to walk again.
Or the blind man
who paints.
To say "I can't"
is to give up without trying.
And if you have not even tried,
you have already failed.
Walter Hagen said, "You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry. Don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."
But if you stop,
don't forget to start again.
Be sure to not get distracted by the little unimportant things in life
and lose site of the goal.
Lest you forget what you were brought down here for.
And some things that seem important or devastating in the moment,
might later turn out to be nothing at all.
So stay focused.
Never lose sight of the goal.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tell me the truth
Friends are like the black outlines of a picture. When you get too close to the edge, they help you stay inside the lines.
Friends are there to remind you of who you really are, just in case life gets in the way and you forget.
Good friends are forever. Because even if you grow apart, they are always in your heart.
I am not the mushy type. Really. I don't cry around other people. I'm not a 'let's hug for everything' kind of person.
But there are times, special times when you can say, where would I be without my friends? WHO would I be without them?
This is a post for the friend who jolts me back to reality and says "?נו, וואס טוטס דו"
The friend who holds me to a higher standard than I hold myself.
The friend who makes me want to be a better person.
Friends are there to remind you of who you really are, just in case life gets in the way and you forget.
Good friends are forever. Because even if you grow apart, they are always in your heart.
I am not the mushy type. Really. I don't cry around other people. I'm not a 'let's hug for everything' kind of person.
But there are times, special times when you can say, where would I be without my friends? WHO would I be without them?
This is a post for the friend who jolts me back to reality and says "?נו, וואס טוטס דו"
The friend who holds me to a higher standard than I hold myself.
The friend who makes me want to be a better person.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Cold
"I get knocked down.
But I get up again.
You're never gonna keep me down."
I feel it coming on.
Starts off with just the sniffles.
Then a scratch in the back of my throat.
Then a few sneezes.
Using extra tissues.
Then my nose is stuffed and I can't breath.
Then a sneezing fit.
Can't go anywhere without tissues.
The cold seeps in and it just won't leave.
On a good day, I step outside and the fresh air revives me.
On a bad day I lay in bed feeling like I'm dying and wishing for release.
So hear me now, winter.
I will kick your @ss.
I will crush you.
I WILL breath again.
And when you come knocking at my door, beware.
I won't be there.
Because this winter I have decided to join my grandparents in sunny Florida.
Okay that's a lie.
But if you come for me, just know this:
"You're never gonna keep me down."
But I get up again.
You're never gonna keep me down."
I feel it coming on.
Starts off with just the sniffles.
Then a scratch in the back of my throat.
Then a few sneezes.
Using extra tissues.
Then my nose is stuffed and I can't breath.
Then a sneezing fit.
Can't go anywhere without tissues.
The cold seeps in and it just won't leave.
On a good day, I step outside and the fresh air revives me.
On a bad day I lay in bed feeling like I'm dying and wishing for release.
So hear me now, winter.
I will kick your @ss.
I will crush you.
I WILL breath again.
And when you come knocking at my door, beware.
I won't be there.
Because this winter I have decided to join my grandparents in sunny Florida.
Okay that's a lie.
But if you come for me, just know this:
"You're never gonna keep me down."
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Gut Yom Tov! From Chabad.org
We all have moments when, although things are not going all that well, we put up a façade and paste a smile on our faces. We sometimes go to great lengths to mask our inner feelings. We'll go about our day as if nothing is wrong, laugh along with our coworkers, and go home to our spouses and children smiling at them without a hint of our inner cares.
Every once in a while, we even exhibit behavior that is the complete opposite of what we feel. We dance when we'd rather mope, sing when we feel like crying, and smile when a frown would be a better indicator of what's going on inside.
But "faking it" long enough will eventually affect your actual mood. You may forget why you were upset in the first place, or perhaps realize that it wasn't such a big deal after all.
As we conclude the holiday of Sukkot, the festival of joy, and look toward Simchat Torah, the festival of extreme joy, we are reminded that regardless of what else is going on in our lives (spiritually and materially), spending time in the company of fellow Jews celebrating the Torah will certainly have a positive impact us now, and for the rest of our year.
This is the time of year when we revel in our connection with G‑d. But even if you are not yet in the mood, strap on your dancing shoes, find a celebration near you, and before you know it, you will be truly jumping for joy.
Wishing you a very joyous holiday and, indeed, rest of the year!
Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov,
Responder for the Ask the Rabbi team @ Chabad.org
And from me, Altie- have a Happy Simchas Torah! Eat, drink, and be merry!
Every once in a while, we even exhibit behavior that is the complete opposite of what we feel. We dance when we'd rather mope, sing when we feel like crying, and smile when a frown would be a better indicator of what's going on inside.
But "faking it" long enough will eventually affect your actual mood. You may forget why you were upset in the first place, or perhaps realize that it wasn't such a big deal after all.
As we conclude the holiday of Sukkot, the festival of joy, and look toward Simchat Torah, the festival of extreme joy, we are reminded that regardless of what else is going on in our lives (spiritually and materially), spending time in the company of fellow Jews celebrating the Torah will certainly have a positive impact us now, and for the rest of our year.
This is the time of year when we revel in our connection with G‑d. But even if you are not yet in the mood, strap on your dancing shoes, find a celebration near you, and before you know it, you will be truly jumping for joy.
Wishing you a very joyous holiday and, indeed, rest of the year!
Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov,
Responder for the Ask the Rabbi team @ Chabad.org
And from me, Altie- have a Happy Simchas Torah! Eat, drink, and be merry!
Somebody
Once upon a time, we used to be friends. Now, we are practically strangers.
I see you in the street and my heart thuds and I can't breath, because you are not supposed to be HERE and here you are. And you didn't tell me you were coming.
You didn't tell ANYBODY, you said. It was supposed to be a surprise. But not for me.
Well, I am surprised.
And once upon a time, I used to be a somebody.
I see you in the street and my heart thuds and I can't breath, because you are not supposed to be HERE and here you are. And you didn't tell me you were coming.
You didn't tell ANYBODY, you said. It was supposed to be a surprise. But not for me.
Well, I am surprised.
And once upon a time, I used to be a somebody.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Boys like girls
Wish everything were so simple.
What if we lived in a world where there were no guys and no girls and babies grew on trees?
What if there were no genders, no competition, no temptations, no rights or wrongs?
What if you were you and I was I without everything else interfering?
What if there were no break-ups and make-ups and songs written about girls and broken hearts?
Cuz in the end, it all ends the same.
But then of course, the music industry would be out of business.
What if we lived in a world where there were no guys and no girls and babies grew on trees?
What if there were no genders, no competition, no temptations, no rights or wrongs?
What if you were you and I was I without everything else interfering?
What if there were no break-ups and make-ups and songs written about girls and broken hearts?
Cuz in the end, it all ends the same.
But then of course, the music industry would be out of business.
YESSSSS!!!!!
GILAD SHALIT HAS RETURNED HOME!
Just for a moment, put aside the controversy, the worries, the anger. For one moment, just be happy.
I pray that G-d watch over Israel and protect the soldiers from harm. If you want to say tehillim for Israel, some appropriate chapters are 20, 83, (specifically for the safety of Israel) 130 (Shir Hamaalot) and any other ones you would like to say.
May this be a day ONLY of rejoicing, and may we welcome the coming of Moshiach NOW!
Just for a moment, put aside the controversy, the worries, the anger. For one moment, just be happy.
I pray that G-d watch over Israel and protect the soldiers from harm. If you want to say tehillim for Israel, some appropriate chapters are 20, 83, (specifically for the safety of Israel) 130 (Shir Hamaalot) and any other ones you would like to say.
May this be a day ONLY of rejoicing, and may we welcome the coming of Moshiach NOW!
I fly solo
Some people are leaders with many followers.
Some people are leaders with no followers at all.
Some people are strong, but they will never be leaders, because they do not wait for people to follow.
I am not a leader.
I am not a follower.
I fly solo.
Some people are leaders with no followers at all.
Some people are strong, but they will never be leaders, because they do not wait for people to follow.
I am not a leader.
I am not a follower.
I fly solo.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Tis morning at last
I have never felt more tired, or more ALIVE!
It is so hard to describe the atmosphere. It is something you just have to experience. If you are there you get it.
The crowd moves with the music. When it's fast, they dance fast. When it slows down, so do they.
When the music stops- well, they keep dancing.
It is so fascinating, yet so natural. You hear music and you want to move. You need to move. You have this energy inside of you and you need to dispel it in some way. By dancing, by clapping, tapping your feet, singing. Someway, it has to come out.
I love how many different types of Jews come to the Simchas Bais Hashuava in Crown Heights. There is such unity. Jews from all backgrounds dance together, everyone is welcome, everyone is ACCEPTED, and we all celebrate together.
I wondered what a stranger would think if they came upon the scene by accident. A whole bunch of men clad mainly in black and white, dancing all night while the ladies stand and watch. It is like a Jewish block party. It's awesome.
Someone asked a police officer 'what do you make of all this?' He said, 'it's nice, it's really nice.'
We just want to have a good time. We want to express our simcha in the streets. It is Sukkos, and we dance in the streets. And it is so nice how the officers APPRECIATE us. We are not violent, we are not rioting, we are respectful and law-abiding and when it is time to go home we do.
It is so nice to stay until the end. The music keeps going on and on and on and you want it to end so you can go home and go to sleep, but at the same time you want it to last forever.
If anyone knows the song 'hup kusak', it was an amazing experience to watch. It starts off really slow, with everyone sitting on the street and just swaying to the music. They kept it slow for like two minutes, and then it slowly gets faster and faster until everyone is jumping. Awesome.
It is a bonding experience. I made friends with the stranger standing next to me. Maybe I will see her again.
I love Simchas Baid Hashuava, and I appreciate it so much more now that I am older.
And more so, it makes me so PROUD to be Lubavitch! When the crowd screamed together 'Ad Mosai!' and 'We want Moshiach now!' it was powerful. I'm sure it was heard on high.
I will try to post videos tomorrow, and for those of you in town, you should definitely try to make it, as experiencing Simchas Bais Hashuava in Crown Heights is a once in a lifetime experience. There's a reason people come from all over to enjoy it.
Now, it is 6:30 am and I will start my day with waffles. And then sleep.
Chag Sameach to all!
It is so hard to describe the atmosphere. It is something you just have to experience. If you are there you get it.
The crowd moves with the music. When it's fast, they dance fast. When it slows down, so do they.
When the music stops- well, they keep dancing.
It is so fascinating, yet so natural. You hear music and you want to move. You need to move. You have this energy inside of you and you need to dispel it in some way. By dancing, by clapping, tapping your feet, singing. Someway, it has to come out.
I love how many different types of Jews come to the Simchas Bais Hashuava in Crown Heights. There is such unity. Jews from all backgrounds dance together, everyone is welcome, everyone is ACCEPTED, and we all celebrate together.
I wondered what a stranger would think if they came upon the scene by accident. A whole bunch of men clad mainly in black and white, dancing all night while the ladies stand and watch. It is like a Jewish block party. It's awesome.
Someone asked a police officer 'what do you make of all this?' He said, 'it's nice, it's really nice.'
We just want to have a good time. We want to express our simcha in the streets. It is Sukkos, and we dance in the streets. And it is so nice how the officers APPRECIATE us. We are not violent, we are not rioting, we are respectful and law-abiding and when it is time to go home we do.
It is so nice to stay until the end. The music keeps going on and on and on and you want it to end so you can go home and go to sleep, but at the same time you want it to last forever.
If anyone knows the song 'hup kusak', it was an amazing experience to watch. It starts off really slow, with everyone sitting on the street and just swaying to the music. They kept it slow for like two minutes, and then it slowly gets faster and faster until everyone is jumping. Awesome.
It is a bonding experience. I made friends with the stranger standing next to me. Maybe I will see her again.
I love Simchas Baid Hashuava, and I appreciate it so much more now that I am older.
And more so, it makes me so PROUD to be Lubavitch! When the crowd screamed together 'Ad Mosai!' and 'We want Moshiach now!' it was powerful. I'm sure it was heard on high.
I will try to post videos tomorrow, and for those of you in town, you should definitely try to make it, as experiencing Simchas Bais Hashuava in Crown Heights is a once in a lifetime experience. There's a reason people come from all over to enjoy it.
Now, it is 6:30 am and I will start my day with waffles. And then sleep.
Chag Sameach to all!
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