Comments for OneShul http://oneshul.org Online Synagogue Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:22:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Comment on Support OneShul by OneShul Shacharit Fundraiser - Help Us Do A Mitzvah! http://oneshul.org/support-oneshul/#comment-136 OneShul Shacharit Fundraiser - Help Us Do A Mitzvah! Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:22:47 +0000 http://oneshul.org/#comment-136 [...] Want to give a larger amount? Click here to donate. [...] [...] Want to give a larger amount? Click here to donate. [...]

]]> Comment on OneShul Prayer Service Mincha 3/16/2011 by Enrique http://oneshul.org/oneshul-prayer-service-mincha-3162011/#comment-135 Enrique Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:16:40 +0000 http://oneshul.org/?p=1095#comment-135 Thanks very much for your inniciative on this video. Thanks very much for your inniciative on this video.

]]> Comment on Being Jewish Alone: Judaism Without Jews by Emma Holton http://oneshul.org/being-jewish-alone-judaism-without-jews/#comment-134 Emma Holton Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:35:10 +0000 http://oneshul.org/?p=1771#comment-134 Finally got around to watching this video! There were some really interesting points raised in this class. I think for many people (myself included) OneShul has become a very important resource, if not their primary Synagogue. I agree that many rabbis are incredibly busy (and for someone as impatient as me, this is never a good thing!), however all the rabbis and Synagogues I've contacted have responded within a couple of days. In addition to this, they've all been incredibly informative and friendly. The only organisation that failed to respond - at all - was the Liberal Judaism website, but then they probably receive thousands of emails every week, so it's probably understandable. The Orthodox Synagogue at Birmingham (Singer's Hill) is extremely open-minded and inclusive of most people. They encourage non-Jewish partners to attend Synagogue, and despite not being able to participate in the actual services, they are included in other activities. They also have visitors attend services from all over the Midlands, some car-pool, others get there by train or bus. I agree that battling nervousness and social anxieties is a major challenge and can sometimes seem just too daunting to tackle. I suffer from social anxieties myself. However, I agree with Patrick wholeheartedly, sometimes you do just have to raise your hand and push yourself forward a little. It's scary at the time, but the feeling of achievement and growth that comes afterward is immeasurable. I remember being really nervous about emailing Patrick when I first found out I was Jewish (I thought he might laugh. Honestly), but I did it regardless and I'm genuinely thrilled that I did! Since then, I've been meeting with rabbis, learning about what it means to be Jew and participating (as much as I can) in the PunkTorah community. I'd recommend visiting a Shul, a rabbi, or an organisation at least once. If you don't like it or feel genuinely uncomfortable there, you can blog PunkTorah about your experience at the very least! I'll stop rambling now. Finally got around to watching this video! There were some really interesting points raised in this class. I think for many people (myself included) OneShul has become a very important resource, if not their primary Synagogue. I agree that many rabbis are incredibly busy (and for someone as impatient as me, this is never a good thing!), however all the rabbis and Synagogues I’ve contacted have responded within a couple of days. In addition to this, they’ve all been incredibly informative and friendly. The only organisation that failed to respond – at all – was the Liberal Judaism website, but then they probably receive thousands of emails every week, so it’s probably understandable.

The Orthodox Synagogue at Birmingham (Singer’s Hill) is extremely open-minded and inclusive of most people. They encourage non-Jewish partners to attend Synagogue, and despite not being able to participate in the actual services, they are included in other activities. They also have visitors attend services from all over the Midlands, some car-pool, others get there by train or bus.

I agree that battling nervousness and social anxieties is a major challenge and can sometimes seem just too daunting to tackle. I suffer from social anxieties myself. However, I agree with Patrick wholeheartedly, sometimes you do just have to raise your hand and push yourself forward a little. It’s scary at the time, but the feeling of achievement and growth that comes afterward is immeasurable. I remember being really nervous about emailing Patrick when I first found out I was Jewish (I thought he might laugh. Honestly), but I did it regardless and I’m genuinely thrilled that I did! Since then, I’ve been meeting with rabbis, learning about what it means to be Jew and participating (as much as I can) in the PunkTorah community.

I’d recommend visiting a Shul, a rabbi, or an organisation at least once. If you don’t like it or feel genuinely uncomfortable there, you can blog PunkTorah about your experience at the very least!

I’ll stop rambling now.

]]> Comment on Kabbalat Shabbat Vayekhel-Pekudei Service (March 16th, 2012) by R, Yeazus http://oneshul.org/kabbalat-shabbat-vayekhel-pekudei-service-march-16th-2012/#comment-131 R, Yeazus Sat, 07 Apr 2012 19:49:59 +0000 http://oneshul.org/?p=1822#comment-131 Like what you're doing. The sound was too low, couldn't hear. Like what you’re doing. The sound was too low, couldn’t hear.

]]> Comment on We’re All Zocher Shabbos by Asher http://oneshul.org/were-all-zocher-shabbos/#comment-120 Asher Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:57:30 +0000 http://oneshul.org/?p=276#comment-120 I understand, but again, the Shabbat lamp...nobody is trying to "fool G-d" The Shabbat lamp is a way to have light without breaking any Shabbos Halachos, and is no different than not having light at all. All it is essentially is a light that can be covered to conceal it when you go to sleep, nothing else. I don't think anything lower of the out crowd and I'm not trying to do any "kiruv" I'm just giving my ideas based on G-d's way of giving them over, there were never conditions. Rest is rest, and a refrain from creative activity, well, that's Shabbos! All the best :) I understand, but again, the Shabbat lamp…nobody is trying to “fool G-d”
The Shabbat lamp is a way to have light without breaking any Shabbos Halachos, and is no different than not having light at all. All it is essentially is a light that can be covered to conceal it when you go to sleep, nothing else. I don’t think anything lower of the out crowd and I’m not trying to do any “kiruv”
I’m just giving my ideas based on G-d’s way of giving them over, there were never conditions. Rest is rest, and a refrain from creative activity, well, that’s Shabbos!
All the best :)

]]> Comment on We’re All Zocher Shabbos by oneshul http://oneshul.org/were-all-zocher-shabbos/#comment-116 oneshul Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:06:11 +0000 http://oneshul.org/?p=276#comment-116 Hey Asher, So I don't think you are a fanatic or fundamentalist...any more than I am or than anyone else is here at PunkTorah. The common thread of PunkTorah people, like yourself, is a deep commitment to HaShem. And I am greatful that you are here and are sharing your passion. You are always welcome and appreciated. The issue that I bring up here surpasses whether or not someone should be Shomer Shabbat, which I am defining as living be the edicts of their rabbi's understanding of halachka which forbids work regardless of the kavanot (intentions). Under the "Shomer Shabbat" platform, one can opt not to drive on Shabbat because the flying spaghetti monster doesn't want them to, and that is perfectly acceptable. While others may say they drive on Shabbat in order to fulfill the mitzvah of making a minyan for Kaddish, but are seen as transgressing law and should have just stayed home or walked ten miles to shul like any other reasonable, responsible, faithful person would. The issue is not what one does or does not do. The issue is a desire to create hierarchies of Jewish life. Remember that the late Lubavitcher Rebbe himself said that one should not refer to serving the Jewish community as kiruv (outreach) because that defines one group as being "in" and another group as being "out". And of course, the "in" crowd is no holier than the "out" crowd. Matter of fact, the great world religions often place the role of holiness on those who from the outside appear to be the least deserving. The second part of this is the idea that in reality, no one is Shomer Shabbat because we are all trying to find ways to skirt the law. The Shabbos Lamp is a great example. Does anyone really believe they are tricking God by not flipping a light switch? To use your pasta metaphor, it would be like outlawing pasta and then eating brown rice noodles, because clearly pasta is made out of wheat and brown rice noodles aren't REALLY pasta. Just my two cents :-) Hey Asher,

So I don’t think you are a fanatic or fundamentalist…any more than I am or than anyone else is here at PunkTorah. The common thread of PunkTorah people, like yourself, is a deep commitment to HaShem. And I am greatful that you are here and are sharing your passion. You are always welcome and appreciated.

The issue that I bring up here surpasses whether or not someone should be Shomer Shabbat, which I am defining as living be the edicts of their rabbi’s understanding of halachka which forbids work regardless of the kavanot (intentions). Under the “Shomer Shabbat” platform, one can opt not to drive on Shabbat because the flying spaghetti monster doesn’t want them to, and that is perfectly acceptable. While others may say they drive on Shabbat in order to fulfill the mitzvah of making a minyan for Kaddish, but are seen as transgressing law and should have just stayed home or walked ten miles to shul like any other reasonable, responsible, faithful person would.

The issue is not what one does or does not do. The issue is a desire to create hierarchies of Jewish life. Remember that the late Lubavitcher Rebbe himself said that one should not refer to serving the Jewish community as kiruv (outreach) because that defines one group as being “in” and another group as being “out”. And of course, the “in” crowd is no holier than the “out” crowd. Matter of fact, the great world religions often place the role of holiness on those who from the outside appear to be the least deserving.

The second part of this is the idea that in reality, no one is Shomer Shabbat because we are all trying to find ways to skirt the law. The Shabbos Lamp is a great example. Does anyone really believe they are tricking God by not flipping a light switch? To use your pasta metaphor, it would be like outlawing pasta and then eating brown rice noodles, because clearly pasta is made out of wheat and brown rice noodles aren’t REALLY pasta.

Just my two cents :-)

]]> Comment on We’re All Zocher Shabbos by Asher http://oneshul.org/were-all-zocher-shabbos/#comment-115 Asher Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:42:25 +0000 http://oneshul.org/?p=276#comment-115 BS''D This article is highly contradictory. You may call me a fanatic or a fundamentalist, but in the end of the day I'm just trying to be real. Anyone who is Shomer Shabbos is in effect Zocher Shabbat. By keeping with it's laws, you come to remember what Shabbat is all about. I had many weeks where I spent it alone, davening alone, but had the most spiritually fulfilling experiences. I knew in my heart that such times of silence would shape every more "lively" Shabbat after them in a much more sentimental way, and boy, it has. Also, the logic for driving cars is NOT because cars predated the Bible. If a person wants to drive a car, then fine, he's breaking the rules, but there is no Jewish "excuse" for it. The Torah created categories of law that fit into modern day inventions in the same way that lets say, I forbade the eating of all pasta, but penne' had not yet been invented. Penne is still pasta. Get real and start trying to work out Judaism the way it's supposed to be with love. Any more of this will lead to the utter dissipation of Judaism. I know you mean well and you're tring to be punk...but you're not accomplishing either end. A real punk Jew learns to love, and live with the rules any boor can pick and choose what is easy for them I am not here to bash you, but just to give you a broader view of things, because behind the nice web page, there may be much you haven't yet seen. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to email me at kingasher@aol.com Truly yours, Asher Elbaz :) BS”D
This article is highly contradictory. You may call me a fanatic or a fundamentalist, but in the end of the day I’m just trying to be real. Anyone who is Shomer Shabbos is in effect Zocher Shabbat. By keeping with it’s laws, you come to remember what Shabbat is all about. I had many weeks where I spent it alone, davening alone, but had the most spiritually fulfilling experiences. I knew in my heart that such times of silence would shape every more “lively” Shabbat after them in a much more sentimental way, and boy, it has. Also, the logic for driving cars is NOT because cars predated the Bible. If a person wants to drive a car, then fine, he’s breaking the rules, but there is no Jewish “excuse” for it. The Torah created categories of law that fit into modern day inventions in the same way that lets say, I forbade the eating of all pasta, but penne’ had not yet been invented. Penne is still pasta.
Get real and start trying to work out Judaism the way it’s supposed to be with love. Any more of this will lead to the utter dissipation of Judaism. I know you mean well and you’re tring to be punk…but you’re not accomplishing either end.

A real punk Jew learns to love, and live with the rules
any boor can pick and choose what is easy for them
I am not here to bash you, but just to give you a broader view of things,
because behind the nice web page, there may be much you haven’t yet
seen.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to email me at kingasher@aol.com
Truly yours,
Asher Elbaz :)

]]> Comment on Yahrzeit Wall by Virtual Yarhzeit At OneShul http://oneshul.org/yahrzeit-wall/#comment-104 Virtual Yarhzeit At OneShul Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:15:33 +0000 http://oneshul.org/?page_id=1625#comment-104 [...] visit the OneShul site and contact us. We will specially design a memorial “plaque” based on your needs. Though we ask for an [...] [...] visit the OneShul site and contact us. We will specially design a memorial “plaque” based on your needs. Though we ask for an [...]

]]> Comment on Torah Study on Parshat Beshalach by phil goldstein http://oneshul.org/parshat-beshalach/#comment-102 phil goldstein Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:08:42 +0000 http://oneshul.org/?p=1621#comment-102 awesome amazing shiur gives a intellectual run down on the parsha very YU style awesome amazing shiur gives a intellectual run down on the parsha very YU style

]]> Comment on The Old/New Universe by Aron G. http://oneshul.org/the-oldnew-universe-2/#comment-100 Aron G. Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:01:20 +0000 http://oneshul.org/?p=1606#comment-100 Choni, Interesting stuff. Although I consider myself a Jewish mystic to some extent, I don't consider myself specifically a Kabbalist of one sort or another. I do find the metaphors fairly fascinating on their own without having to use it a system. I've read enough of what I might call "quantum mysticism" that I approach it all with a grain of salt when I hear a mention of overlapping Kabbalah and science, though. I will read this over and try to encourage conversation, though. My biggest concern is when mysticism and science overlap so much that and you no longer really have, either. Not that it should be forbidden to compare and contrast, but they're different perspective on the universe most often. Choni, Interesting stuff. Although I consider myself a Jewish mystic to some extent, I don’t consider myself specifically a Kabbalist of one sort or another. I do find the metaphors fairly fascinating on their own without having to use it a system. I’ve read enough of what I might call “quantum mysticism” that I approach it all with a grain of salt when I hear a mention of overlapping Kabbalah and science, though. I will read this over and try to encourage conversation, though.

My biggest concern is when mysticism and science overlap so much that and you no longer really have, either. Not that it should be forbidden to compare and contrast, but they’re different perspective on the universe most often.

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