Usually, I am happy that I blog under my own name. It adds transparency and authenticity to my feeble attempts to write. I occasionally find myself writing down “posts” in my journal that never see the light of day on this blog or on my lame attempt of writing for a broader audience (more on that below). So, here’s a rundown of posts that are unpublished. The first group, probably won’t see the light of day. The second list has a better chance. If something looks interesting, please leave a comment.
- What makes a writer a writer or “Why getting your own domain in an attempt to share your writing with thousands isn’t always the best idea)
- Even after 16 years, I still don’t know how my wife puts up with me
- Waking up to the reality that you failed in fulfilling a mitzvah and chose not to attach yourself to a middah really sucks
- R Yisrael Salanter was right. Accepting responsibility for your mistakes and attempting to rebuild yourself and relationships is mucho harder than learning all of Shas
- Hey, do you really want to know where kids get bad middos? Check the mirror, brother. Check the mirror.
- How to crush a kid in less than 3 minutes
- “Modern Orthodox,” ok, but I didn’t know that being “Modern Reform” was, like, an actual thing
- The sad reality that boys can be just as mean as girls or “Why middos programs can’t be regulated to mottos and nice posters in schools”
- Because Observant Judaism has made categories for everyone based on nusach, minhag, and haskafah we are to blame for Open Orthodoxy wanting inclusion
- How I scored a copy of “My Uncle the Netziv” for under $8.00
- Who wants to join me in starting a website called “coolaskvell.com” as a brother site to kveller.com?
- Unemployment doesn’t mean you are unemployable
- Why job hunting can drive you to drink and what happens if you can only afford rubbing alcohol
- If you search hard enough, there are cool things to do that cost nothing except for gas (Day camp part 1)
- When you run a day camp, be sure to actually charge something, even if it just covers Slurpees (Day camp part 2)
- If you want to make any change in your life, be prepared to get uncomfortable
- If you don’t believe in yourself, then you’ve forgotten who actually placed you in this world
- People are willing to help, if you can manage to ask them
- School administrations will fight for your child, you just have to ask
- Why the second printing of Artscroll’s Jaffe Edition of Mesillas Yesharim prompted me to complain to Artscroll
- Back in my day we didn’t have the “Morasha Syllabus”. We had to come up with outlines, sources, trigger questions, photocopy texts, and cut and paste (with real glue)… and we liked it.
- Why Limmud matters or “Why would I show up to a meeting, not knowing any of the other 25 other participants?”
- Observations on what we have in common with Reform congregations
- The ah-ha moment when you can look back and say, “Most of my friends are pretty damn cool…without even trying.”
- Bad choices can label you, but good choices can define you
Waking up to the reality that you failed in fulfilling a mitzvah and chose not to attach yourself to a middah really sucks
R Yisrael Salanter was right. Accepting responsibility for your mistakes and attempting to rebuild yourself and relationships is mucho harder than learning all of Shas
How to crush a kid in less than 3 minutes
The sad reality that boys can be just as mean as girls or “Why middos programs can’t be regulated to mottos and nice posters in schools”
Unemployment doesn’t mean you are unemployable
If you want to make any change in your life, be prepared to get uncomfortable
If you don’t believe in yourself, then you’ve forgotten who actually placed you in this world
People are willing to help, if you can manage to ask them
School administrations will fight for your child, you just have to ask
Why the second printing of Artscroll’s Jaffe Edition of Mesillas Yesharim prompted me to complain to Artscroll
Bad choices can label you, but good choices can define you
Most of what Shmuel is interested in, plus the following:
What makes a writer a writer or “Why getting your own domain in an attempt to share your writing with thousands isn’t always the best idea)
“Modern Orthodox,” ok, but I didn’t know that being “Modern Reform” was, like, an actual thing
Because Observant Judaism has made categories for everyone based on nusach, minhag, and haskafah we are to blame for Open Orthodoxy wanting inclusion
How I scored a copy of “My Uncle the Netziv” for under $8.00 [Is this the original, uncensored version?]
Back in my day we didn’t have the “Morasha Syllabus”. We had to come up with outlines, sources, trigger questions, photocopy texts, and cut and paste (with real glue)… and we liked it.
Why Limmud matters or “Why would I show up to a meeting, not knowing any of the other 25 other participants?”
Observations on what we have in common with Reform congregations
The ah-ha moment when you can look back and say, “Most of my friends are pretty damn cool…without even trying.”
Thanks Shmuel and Adam.
BS”D
Discussion with Moishela(with his family)
A Handicapped child
Kislev 25’5774 (Nov 28’13)
“The Only Real State of Existence”
Mommy, you think nothing is happening in the world. But it is, right in full view. The Reshoim everywhere are becoming stronger and stronger every day and terrible new laws are put into action all over the world daily, including in the State of Israel. Some are particularly against Jews, and some are against humanity as a whole, but the evil has gone wild and is filling every crack and crevice in the world.
There are some Goyim and some Yidden that see the truth and are complaining and saying their opinion and trying to fight this tremendous evil. But most of the world is beginning to enjoy the evil ways and they are not willing in any way to fight it. So therefore I am very upset.
Here in Eretz Yisroel we are going into a time of the total destruction of the structure of the State of Israel, not by bombs but by the friction between this crook or that thief that’s part of a legal mafia or of this murderer or that murderer that is in public office. And on the other side we have the Frum community which are at each other’s throats in the name of the “holy” Egel HaZahav which with its vicious Lashon Hara and sometimes physical and emotional violence is also dividing and destroying that once holy community.
Countries like Belgium have passed horrific laws. The latest one being that any person diagnosed with a terminal illness can choose to be killed, so they won’t have to face the suffering. Also many laws have been passed throughout the world that legalize the lusts and the immorality of the degenerates that are trying to rule the world. In doing this they are now in a direct war with Hakodosh Boruch Hu, as they are trying to destroy the Kedusha, Chas VeSholom, and to raise up the flag of the twisted direction of the evil ones based only on lust, and love of violence and murder.
Mommy, this situation is going explode. It has to. Most of the people of the world have become wild maniacs. And when you let them loose and give them permission they are capable of the most horrific acts of aggression like what is happening in Syria.
The world is on the verge of a complete breakdown, and when that happens there will be violence everywhere in the worst way. There is nothing that mankind can do to stop it. Well-equipped armies cannot halt this lawlessness, and not even sincere prayer can stop it because we are coming to the last moment of this diaspora and all mankind is being judged. While sincere prayer and repentance cannot help to save the whole world, it can definitely help the true Jewish Neshamas that were at Har Sinai (and righteous gentiles) get through this tremendously difficult time in an easier way and be Zoche to greet Moshiach Tzidkainu.
Therefore Mommy we are on the threshold of a terribly difficult time and only our connection with Hakodosh Boruch Hu can save us. He is One. His name is One, and being part of that Oneness must be our goal in life, because that is the only real state of existence.
Some of those that I haven’t included, and some that I have, are things that I myself want/intend to write about. I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts on the ones I’ve chosen!
Even after 16 years, I still don’t know how my wife puts up with me
Waking up to the reality that you failed in fulfilling a mitzvah and chose not to attach yourself to a middah really sucks
R Yisrael Salanter was right. Accepting responsibility for your mistakes and attempting to rebuild yourself and relationships is mucho harder than learning all of Shas
Because Observant Judaism has made categories for everyone based on nusach, minhag, and haskafah we are to blame for Open Orthodoxy wanting inclusion
If you want to make any change in your life, be prepared to get uncomfortable
If you don’t believe in yourself, then you’ve forgotten who actually placed you in this world
People are willing to help, if you can manage to ask them
Observations on what we have in common with Reform congregations
The ah-ha moment when you can look back and say, “Most of my friends are pretty damn cool…without even trying.”
Bad choices can label you, but good choices can define you
I appreciate the feedback, L & F.