JawsBlog

Such was the subject line of an email I got today from my awesome cousin: The Curious Jew

On my post below about the Queens man “tech detoxing” in his bathroom (just scroll down–and then scroll back up to this post)–she was able to clarify

It turns out that it was the Vilna Gaon who studied mathematics in the bathroom. (I got that part right). She consulted a source who is not only leagues more knowledgeable than me, but has a much better memory as well. It turns out that the story may have been as follows:

But I heard the story that he used to study secular studies while in the bathroom. But not that he went to the bathroom to study secular studies.

Shows how shot my memory has become….

You should definitely read The Curious Jew’s blog too. She is a gifted wordsmith, whose blog is full of both stories and insightful posts about the world around. [Unlike myself (I write more in the terse science style)]

Saw this story in AMNY today:

Queens man lives in bathroom to cut off tech addiction

Odd, but not as bad as say China where they have “tech addiction camps”.

Reminds me of a story one of my Rabbis once told our class about one of the great Torah scholars (I want to say of the Middle Ages–but I can’t remember exactly). The scholar was so focused on his Torah studies, that occasionally he would take himself into the bathroom to read and learn secular subjects–namely mathematics . (I think the individual was the Vilna Gaon?)

Went up to Costco this morning, mainly because I wanted to purchase some more raw nuts for myself. (I get a better price on a 2lb bag then I would for two 1lb bags at Trader Joe’s)>

Here’s what I learned:

–They do indeed serve samples at this Costco (much to the Little Brother’s delight)
–Some things are so tempting to purchase–but the problem is, I’d have nowhere to put it.
–There’s a new brand of Kosher beef–instead of Colorado Kosher, there’s now “Crown Glatt” beef. (Anyone ever tried Crown Glatt? It appears to be from California)
–The bakery is fully Kosher. Who would ever imagine a Kosher Bakery in El Barrio [East Harlem?]
–There’s also all sorts of other Kosher goodies there too. Just that I don’t have the fridge/freezer space for them

Although as this is Manhattan, part of the Costco experience is schlepping ones purchases home with them, usually on public transportation or via a car service which has been set up at the plaza. (I of course opted for the former).

The restaurant which I used to live accorss the street from was called “Turquoise”–and, while I lived across the street had been a treif (Non-Kosher0 place.

After I moved, it turned out the place got a Hechsher, (became Kosher), but I never dined there (I rarely if ever dine at a restaurant) and then it closed.

While on a stroll through the neighborhood a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a new restaurant called “Eighteen” had signage up. There was a hecksher/te’udah in the window–another Kosher eatery! Hooray!

Of course the place’s website is non-functional (sigh), but thanks to menu pages, I’ve discovered that the restaurant is a purveyor of cooked dead Kosher animals and fish! (A/k/a A fleishig place). This may very well necessitate giving the place a try!
(Not a big sushi person–I prefer my fish cooked–but bring on the meat and veggies!)

Now to find an adequate Kosher dining companion. I would invite the sister, but I’ve not seen her since Sunday morning (she’s more a night person while I do mornings)

Headed over the Hudson tomorrow morning to Teaneck for a Cousin’s newborn bris.

Yay for more family simchas! Double yay for Grandma coming in for the bris!

More simchas to mark in the family!

Mazel Tov to my cousin and her husband on the birth this afternoon of twins! (1 Boy and 1 girl)!!!!!!

It appears I’ll be headed across the Hudson next week for a bris….

Yay for more family simchas!

The WJC’s president pens an open letter to the Obama Administration vis-a-vis Israel

Seen at Whole Foods (Union Sq) this AM:

[pre-packaged] Kosher for passover haumentashen

Does some bakery have their holidays mixed up?

Vinny and Snooki from the Jersey Shore make an appearance at a purim party.

Their apparel and fake tans however, were not costumes….

Though I’ve only skimmed it so far, the Curious Jew has a great post-up
:
Being Gay In The Orthodox World: A Conversation with Members of the YU Community

From a friend on Facebook came this idea:

[potato] Latkas + soy sauce.

Not sure about that one. In my eyes, Latkas always go with sour cream and/or applesauce

Came home this evening, and found that The Sister had put up lights on the balcony.

Not so sure how I feel about it. Part of me says it’s a very goyishy thing to do. I also think it’s just stupid. (they’re plain white too–no colors or anything interesting either!)

Thoughts?

Williamsburg Hipsters Vs. Hasidim

Hmmm….a bit of a tough one here. Though my respect for a fellow Jew triumps far more over my disdain for “hipsters’. Going to have to side with the Hasids on this one–on the reckless cyclers argument.

LGT the Fark Thread on this (read at your own discretion)

Bleg: Anyone know where one can find reasonably priced, Kosher mezuzh klafim? [parchments]

thanks!

From the Rabbi’s sermon at shul yesterday:

“You know…Noach [Noah] had to probably be the worst salesman ever. Here he was, building an ark for 120 years, and the only people he could convince to come aboard was his family…”

What a fun weekend! Granted, I spent most of it in/at Synagogue…but it was a great way to wrap up the Fall holiday season.

Shmini Atzeret davening came and went. Nothing extra-ordinary with it (so to speak). One major thing however, was the man who proclaimed after having an aliyah, that as an act of penance for his “wrongdoings” (his words)–that he was going to sponsor 5 kiddushim! What was the best part about it was the sincerety of the man. Sure, the fact that he’s sponsoring the kiddushim is great, but it was the sincerity and honesty with which he did it that really resonated. Oh, I even made it to shul in time for kriyat shema! [That almost never happens, especially since I don't use an alarm clock on Shabbos].

Simchas Torah evening was just plain old fashioned fun. The police had closed down the street to traffic, so everything took place outside–so there was literally dancing in the street!

To fuel the fun, a group of yeshiva bochorim walked ~3 hours (~8-9 miles) from Crown Heights to the Upper East Side to celebrate at the Chabad house as well. And they were walking back home too! [How they were going to accomplish that is beyond me–based on how tipsy most of ‘em were).

And now it’s back to the regular weeks I go…

I had a really nice Yom Kippur this year. Really! Probably the best one I’ve had in the past 5 years or so.

Part of it was that i held up better physiologically (My body without water and nutrients doesn’t always cooperate too well).

The other part of it was that this year I found something deep within me–more spiritually–which has long been absent. As this is a personal thing, between me and G-d, I’m not going to elaborate.

I attended services at Chabad of the Upper East Side, but this year the services were held in the auditorium of PS 158–as the crowd is too large for the (architecturally beautiful) Chabad building.

While the auditorium chairs were a bit uncomfy–that was the only downside. The Rabbi who led services (I wish I could remember his name) did a wonderful job. His stories and explanations which were spread throughout the course of the day, were both meaningful and thought provoking–and enhanced the self-reflection of the liturgy.

Also, credit must go to the Chazzan for a beautiful job as well!

Now that I’ve eaten and consumed some water, it’s time to get ready for work tomorrow.

Next up: Sukkot (a/k/a Festival of the Tabernacles)

Especially if the rabbi is packing heat for the Holidays.

An interesting security idea–but wouldn’t a gun be considered mukseh?

My kindergarten teacher passed away today. She was a great woman both as an individual and as a teacher.

In addition to being my teacher in kindergarten, she was also a congregant at my (old) synagogue, so she was an individual who I saw often-=and who saw me grow over the years.

I still remember the first day of kindergarten, it was raining outside, and I stood at my bus stop at the corner…only to have the bus not show up for me that day. My mother proceeded to drive me to school (oh, and of course all of this was photographed) and my teacher still made me feel very welcome in class. She was a very kindhearted and dedicated individual.

She will be missed, May her memory be a blessing.

[The funeral is taking place in Cleveland, and shiva will also be sat there]

Nothing too “earth shattering” within PM Netanyahu’s speech earlier today at Bar-Ilan

I sort of like the analysis over at AoSHQ on the speech.

Bibi scores some points for showing up Obama’s omission of the real historical origins of the (modern) State of Israel.

Otherwise, there was nothing in the speech that hadn’t been heard before.

Funny to read the Palestinian responses though. The “peace process” is once again DOA (though–was it ever “alive” to begin with?)