I recently shared with my kids how wonderful the gift of speech is. Hashem could've let our pets speak as well but He didn't. Why? Because we have the ability to learn and to grow and to share this knowledge with each other through actions and speech. We use our speech to build each other up and unfortunatlely we abuse it by tearing each other down as well. Also, how else would we communicate with our Creator without the gift of speech? We have had our lab for 6 years and she is the same now as she was when we got her, only a little older.
I am reading the book Around Sarah's Table, its awesome. Its about a group of women in NY who gather at Sarah's house for Torah study. In one part of the book they speak of the Tower of Babel. It says the people were supposed to unite with G-d but, instead they unified with themselves. This unity gave them the strength to feel they could rebel against G-d. "The Tower of Babel was an outgrowth of their plan to rebel. Therefore, the privilege of speaking the holy tongue was taken away from them. Instead of speaking words that expressed essence, their speech was reduced to 'babble'." (pg. 156).
So I ask myself, and my kids, are we worthy of the gift of speech? Do we take it for granted? Do we curse and gossip? Speech truly is a gift and when used right Hashem will bless us!
Adventuresome Me
- Tamar Ruth
- Who I started out as is not who I have become! I grew up in a small town, very small...and all I wanted to do was move to the city. Now as an adult that small town has grown and is overcrowded. I want what I had as a kid...small town living. We don't appreciate what we have until it is gone. I water my plants with my rain barrel water,grow veggies in the front yard and want chickens and goats in the worst way. I married my high school sweetheart and after 18 years of marriage converted to Judaism. Did I mention I have 4 kids and I homeschool? My oldest son just graduated! The purpose of this blog is to share my experiences--homeschooling, being Jewish and loving it in a not so Jewish town, gardening, animals, and alternative medicines. So, if any of these things interest you---come along for the ride!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Interdependence
Interdependence. My husband loves this word! You know how it goes, you hear something once and then you hear it everywhere. I was reading a book, Radical Homemakers, and it said if we lived in interdependent communities we could rely less on the gov't. Then, I went to shul yesterday and we had a guest speaker, Naomi Levy, who spoke of..............you guessed it, interdependence (among other things). Her talk wasn't on relying less on the gov't though, it was about finding our way through difficult times. She was really a good speaker and was very encouraging; she said it was the caring of other people that got her through the hard times in her life. It was the people around her that helped her.
What I love about Judaism is it is one big family. I can go to another town, state or country and when I find a Jewish community I am home. We are not meant to handle life alone. I read in The Committed Life, the reason we have poor and rich (not just speaking in terms of money) is so we can be interdependent (there's that word again) on each other, it causes us to work together. We learn so much from giving and receiving, we shouldn't be ashamed to be on either end. When we are hurting, we should not hurt alone, just as when we are happy we spread our joy to others. When we give a hug, a dollar, a meal, a kind word, a dvar Torah, a ride to the store, this is interdependence
G-d is always with us, loves us, and guides us. Praying to G-d helps us handle situations better; He is the great orchestrator and knows what it takes to make things turn out right; He will make sure we are in the right place at the right time, but then it is up to us to take the next step. We are the ones who need to actually do the doing. It all works together. If we connect to G-d through prayer we become more like Him. When we do a Torah study we can do it in the merit of someone or give tzedakah for a sick friend. These situations involve more than one person, we need each other. This is G-d's plan for us, to be interdependent.
What I love about Judaism is it is one big family. I can go to another town, state or country and when I find a Jewish community I am home. We are not meant to handle life alone. I read in The Committed Life, the reason we have poor and rich (not just speaking in terms of money) is so we can be interdependent (there's that word again) on each other, it causes us to work together. We learn so much from giving and receiving, we shouldn't be ashamed to be on either end. When we are hurting, we should not hurt alone, just as when we are happy we spread our joy to others. When we give a hug, a dollar, a meal, a kind word, a dvar Torah, a ride to the store, this is interdependence
G-d is always with us, loves us, and guides us. Praying to G-d helps us handle situations better; He is the great orchestrator and knows what it takes to make things turn out right; He will make sure we are in the right place at the right time, but then it is up to us to take the next step. We are the ones who need to actually do the doing. It all works together. If we connect to G-d through prayer we become more like Him. When we do a Torah study we can do it in the merit of someone or give tzedakah for a sick friend. These situations involve more than one person, we need each other. This is G-d's plan for us, to be interdependent.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Shabbat Shabbaton
This week's Torah portion is Vayakhel (Exodus 35:1-38:20). I find it amazing how we can spend an hour on one word or verse from the Parsha and it can be very deep and meaningful.
This week we see the words Shabbat Shabbaton in verse 2 of chapter 35. In the English it is written "a complete rest", but in the Hebrew it is written as Shabbat Shabbaton. The question is why do we see Shabbat twice. If we see a word more than once then we can question as to the special meaning behind it, it is looking to grab our attention and tell us something.
We have work we must do during the week that is necessary and requires our hands. However, our head and our heart should not be immersed or drenched in our work.
During the week our head and our heart should be on Torah and G-d's commandments while our hands are used for our physical needs. At this point we may be saying I have to think about my job, I have to make it a priority. Yes, our job is a physical priority during the week and Hashem knows this, however, your job is not who you are.
Your job is not who you are it is what you do. This is the mindset that we miss quite often. We hear of people retiring or losing a job and they are lost because it is all they have known. People have even died after retiring because they felt their purpose was gone. Their whole life was their job.
Whether we like our job or we can't stand it, the way we view it and ourselves can help us during the week so we don't lose who we are. Work is only a vessel that G-d uses to give us benefit. The blessings we receive from this work is the main thing while the work itself is secondary.
What is the point? The point is our job is work, it is not pleasure-why else would we get vacation? Do we ever want vacation from pleasure? We can like our job, but it is not our ultimate satisfaction, it is not our main purpose in life, it is a tool to sustain us. If our pleasure is in godly things during the week, it is as though we have a piece of Shabbos all week long, then we get an extra measure on Shabbos, this is why Shabbos is mentioned twice.
Going back to verse 1 and 2 of chapter 35, it says "These are the things that Hashem commanded, to do them: on 6 days work may be done, but the 7th day shall be holy for you, a day of complete rest for Hashem..."
What are the things Hashem is commanding? To work for 6 days. However, what kind of work is he speaking of here? This is where the English misses the mark. I underlined the words may be done in the verse above. This phrase is said with one word in the Hebrew and has 2 different connotations: work that may be done (passive) and work that you shall do (work we are busy with, immersed in). It is all in the vowels as to which one is being spoken of here. In this case, it is work that may be done, it is passive, things that happen automatically.
The question is what work do we do automatically? Preparing for Shabbos. Hashem is commanding us to prepare for Shabbos during the week. Read the verse now with this perspective.
Shabbos is a rectification of the sin of the golden calf, a form of idolatry. If we are preparing for Shabbos during the week we can avoid the sin of the golden calf. What would our golden calf be today? Working so hard that we forget Hashem, that we forget He is our G-d, we are in His image, He gives us purpose, not our job. Our job is just a tool, like a surgeon uses a knife or a builder uses a hammer.
Perspective. This is what we need. Whether you like your job or it makes you miserable, it is not who you are, it is only a tool. Hashem is telling us in these 2 verses (by the way this parsha is happening the day after Yom Kippur), to work our job with our hands and give our heart to Him. We won't be disappointed!
Please share this with your kids! This is part of Shema in the home, to speak with our kids about Torah so they will have a foundation to work from, to help in decision making, to deepen their relationship with Hashem. In teaching them, we learn even more.
Shabbat Shalom!
This week we see the words Shabbat Shabbaton in verse 2 of chapter 35. In the English it is written "a complete rest", but in the Hebrew it is written as Shabbat Shabbaton. The question is why do we see Shabbat twice. If we see a word more than once then we can question as to the special meaning behind it, it is looking to grab our attention and tell us something.
We have work we must do during the week that is necessary and requires our hands. However, our head and our heart should not be immersed or drenched in our work.
During the week our head and our heart should be on Torah and G-d's commandments while our hands are used for our physical needs. At this point we may be saying I have to think about my job, I have to make it a priority. Yes, our job is a physical priority during the week and Hashem knows this, however, your job is not who you are.
Your job is not who you are it is what you do. This is the mindset that we miss quite often. We hear of people retiring or losing a job and they are lost because it is all they have known. People have even died after retiring because they felt their purpose was gone. Their whole life was their job.
Whether we like our job or we can't stand it, the way we view it and ourselves can help us during the week so we don't lose who we are. Work is only a vessel that G-d uses to give us benefit. The blessings we receive from this work is the main thing while the work itself is secondary.
What is the point? The point is our job is work, it is not pleasure-why else would we get vacation? Do we ever want vacation from pleasure? We can like our job, but it is not our ultimate satisfaction, it is not our main purpose in life, it is a tool to sustain us. If our pleasure is in godly things during the week, it is as though we have a piece of Shabbos all week long, then we get an extra measure on Shabbos, this is why Shabbos is mentioned twice.
Going back to verse 1 and 2 of chapter 35, it says "These are the things that Hashem commanded, to do them: on 6 days work may be done, but the 7th day shall be holy for you, a day of complete rest for Hashem..."
What are the things Hashem is commanding? To work for 6 days. However, what kind of work is he speaking of here? This is where the English misses the mark. I underlined the words may be done in the verse above. This phrase is said with one word in the Hebrew and has 2 different connotations: work that may be done (passive) and work that you shall do (work we are busy with, immersed in). It is all in the vowels as to which one is being spoken of here. In this case, it is work that may be done, it is passive, things that happen automatically.
The question is what work do we do automatically? Preparing for Shabbos. Hashem is commanding us to prepare for Shabbos during the week. Read the verse now with this perspective.
Shabbos is a rectification of the sin of the golden calf, a form of idolatry. If we are preparing for Shabbos during the week we can avoid the sin of the golden calf. What would our golden calf be today? Working so hard that we forget Hashem, that we forget He is our G-d, we are in His image, He gives us purpose, not our job. Our job is just a tool, like a surgeon uses a knife or a builder uses a hammer.
Perspective. This is what we need. Whether you like your job or it makes you miserable, it is not who you are, it is only a tool. Hashem is telling us in these 2 verses (by the way this parsha is happening the day after Yom Kippur), to work our job with our hands and give our heart to Him. We won't be disappointed!
Please share this with your kids! This is part of Shema in the home, to speak with our kids about Torah so they will have a foundation to work from, to help in decision making, to deepen their relationship with Hashem. In teaching them, we learn even more.
Shabbat Shalom!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Should We Worry?
I have a hard time understanding all of the upheaval that is going on around the world-who started what and why. What does this mean for the Jewish people? I have discovered one thing, typically when the world is concerned over something like this, we (Israel-we are Israel whether we live in Israel or not) do not have to share in the same concern.
It is said that the coming of Moschiac will occur when certain events happen. One such event is when there is turmoil in other countries. When leadership is challenged and people are outraged the world will be alarmed as to what the retribution will be. However, we do not need to be alarmed; instead we can prepare for the coming of Moschiac.
While the world worries, our job is to keep studying Torah, raising our children and having faith in Hashem. This sounds so much better than worrying over the troubles of the world. We are so much closer to Moshiac with each passing day. We want to be ready for the next step and nothing prepares us like Torah, it is so relevant for today and all times and brings peace and comfort. While we shouldn't look at the world through rose colored glasses, we should be able to look at it with proper perspective. This does not guarantee times will never be hard but, it does help us to handle those times with tranquility. My son's Hebrew teacher asked the class to pick one thing for Shabbos that would make it special for them. I thought this was a great idea, as they say today we need to own it. Teaching the next generation to own their heritage is very important to carry on our nation, our faith, our traditions. It will also help our kids deal with life better, make better decisions, as they become adults.
What if we are not terribly observant, what can we do? Realize Hashem loves us all no matter where we are coming from. If we genuinely reach out to Him, He will definitely show us the next step. Join a Torah class, study with a friend, or listen online. Hashem is not looking for scholars, he is looking for genuine, humble hearts.
Some suggestions of where to start:
Ladies, we can light shabbos candles, its lighting candles with a purpose, praying for our families and thanking Hashem for His provisions.
Husbands can bless you and the kids on Friday night.
Have children recite the shema before bed so G-d is one of the last things on their mind.
Put a mezzuzah on your doorpost so you can remember G-d's promises as we go out into the world.
These are our answers to worrying, one day at a time, getting closer to Hashem.
It is said that the coming of Moschiac will occur when certain events happen. One such event is when there is turmoil in other countries. When leadership is challenged and people are outraged the world will be alarmed as to what the retribution will be. However, we do not need to be alarmed; instead we can prepare for the coming of Moschiac.
While the world worries, our job is to keep studying Torah, raising our children and having faith in Hashem. This sounds so much better than worrying over the troubles of the world. We are so much closer to Moshiac with each passing day. We want to be ready for the next step and nothing prepares us like Torah, it is so relevant for today and all times and brings peace and comfort. While we shouldn't look at the world through rose colored glasses, we should be able to look at it with proper perspective. This does not guarantee times will never be hard but, it does help us to handle those times with tranquility. My son's Hebrew teacher asked the class to pick one thing for Shabbos that would make it special for them. I thought this was a great idea, as they say today we need to own it. Teaching the next generation to own their heritage is very important to carry on our nation, our faith, our traditions. It will also help our kids deal with life better, make better decisions, as they become adults.
What if we are not terribly observant, what can we do? Realize Hashem loves us all no matter where we are coming from. If we genuinely reach out to Him, He will definitely show us the next step. Join a Torah class, study with a friend, or listen online. Hashem is not looking for scholars, he is looking for genuine, humble hearts.
Some suggestions of where to start:
Ladies, we can light shabbos candles, its lighting candles with a purpose, praying for our families and thanking Hashem for His provisions.
Husbands can bless you and the kids on Friday night.
Have children recite the shema before bed so G-d is one of the last things on their mind.
Put a mezzuzah on your doorpost so you can remember G-d's promises as we go out into the world.
These are our answers to worrying, one day at a time, getting closer to Hashem.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Oh No, Not The "D" Word
We had a wonderful weekend. We celebrated Shabbat at home, relaxed with our family and then we had 2 more days off thanks to Presidents Day. We ventured into the land of touch screen mobile phones after hours of debate as to which plan was best and which phone was best. My phone rang last night and I didn't know how to answer it at first. The pic below is my new phone, it was free at Radio Shack. Of course my kids are texting and sending pics etc....from the moment it came into the house. I will not be defeated-I am learning.
We gave my 17 year old his own phone as well, this came with careful consideration. Up until now we shared a phone. We felt he should have some freedom and responsibility-you shouldn't have one without the other. Our kids can all recite the phrase "with greater privelege comes greater responsibility" in their sleep. We could of course put on internet and email for him but, we did not. I didn't put internet on my phone either, only my husband did since he is away from his computer all day long.
Its only $10 more a month so why not? Look at all of the access we would have and its not expensive? Ok, so here is the "D" word. Discipline. I believe discipline is a good thing, and instant access to everything takes boundaries and discipline away. I am speaking for myself as well as my kids. Just because I am an adult doesn't mean I don't need similar boundaries as my kids. Its like saying don't curse or watch certain moves as a kid but as an adult its fine. I don't think so.
Why do we have to have instant access? FB at the tips of our fingers? We are not given the opportunity to sit and think things over. Should I have sent that video, should I have said that, is what my friend doing in another town more important that the people in front of me at the moment? Is multitasking all its cracked up to be (talking to the people in front of me, looking at email and texting all at once)? We won't even go into texting/talking and driving.
As strange as it sounds we are so much happier when we have boundaries, when we are disciplined. We need to know what is expected of us to be happy. Our kids always provide the best example. Children who are left to run amuck are unruly, those who have some order in their lives are more well mannered. Do you like to know what is expected of you? Of course and so do kids. Without goals, boundaries and discipline kids will feel like they are not valued and they will act accordingly (think about the party house on your street with the drinking teens).
So, back to the phone. I spoke to customer service to verify some info on our plan and I asked about limitations. They actually have a service for $4.99/month called Smart Limits and you can have a phone turned off at a set time each day. The rep told me it is very popular.
Limits are set out of love!
We gave my 17 year old his own phone as well, this came with careful consideration. Up until now we shared a phone. We felt he should have some freedom and responsibility-you shouldn't have one without the other. Our kids can all recite the phrase "with greater privelege comes greater responsibility" in their sleep. We could of course put on internet and email for him but, we did not. I didn't put internet on my phone either, only my husband did since he is away from his computer all day long.
Its only $10 more a month so why not? Look at all of the access we would have and its not expensive? Ok, so here is the "D" word. Discipline. I believe discipline is a good thing, and instant access to everything takes boundaries and discipline away. I am speaking for myself as well as my kids. Just because I am an adult doesn't mean I don't need similar boundaries as my kids. Its like saying don't curse or watch certain moves as a kid but as an adult its fine. I don't think so.
Why do we have to have instant access? FB at the tips of our fingers? We are not given the opportunity to sit and think things over. Should I have sent that video, should I have said that, is what my friend doing in another town more important that the people in front of me at the moment? Is multitasking all its cracked up to be (talking to the people in front of me, looking at email and texting all at once)? We won't even go into texting/talking and driving.
As strange as it sounds we are so much happier when we have boundaries, when we are disciplined. We need to know what is expected of us to be happy. Our kids always provide the best example. Children who are left to run amuck are unruly, those who have some order in their lives are more well mannered. Do you like to know what is expected of you? Of course and so do kids. Without goals, boundaries and discipline kids will feel like they are not valued and they will act accordingly (think about the party house on your street with the drinking teens).
So, back to the phone. I spoke to customer service to verify some info on our plan and I asked about limitations. They actually have a service for $4.99/month called Smart Limits and you can have a phone turned off at a set time each day. The rep told me it is very popular.
Limits are set out of love!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Grow Your Own Food
The nutrition of our food in the stores is depleted (we could talk for hours about that), and prices are increasing every week. More and more people are growing their own food to cut costs and have food that is fresh and nutritious. The best salad I ever had was grown by my dad in our garden.
Yesterday we looked at the frost dates and a map of the country so the kids could see how the growing seasons are different everywhere, and how this affects when we start indoor seeds and when we plant outdoors. I would love to live where the frost season starts in December and ends in January!
Seed catalogs can be a wealth of information as they tell you when to plant and how to harvest. Yes, there are tons of web sites with this info but there is nothing like sitting down with catalogs spread out, pages earmarked with items circled. Catalogs offer seeds the stores do not, such as open pollinated seeds-marked with an OP next to them. I choose these instead of hybrid seeds because you can collect the seeds and save them for next year. Hybrid plants (usually marked F1) do not have seeds that can be saved. Why not save money and reuse our seeds each year? The seeds can be put into a zip lock bag, placed in a mason jar and stored in the refrigerator (no wonder stores don't sell them). There are also seed exchanges popping up all over so we can try new things at no added expense.
We plant things we know we will eat and some new things we can try or give away. Local food banks would be happy to get fresh grown veggies.
I have been gardening for about 5 years now. We don't have much space in our yard to have a huge garden but its not the space you have but how you use your space that counts. We use the square foot gardening method. There is less weeding and less watering and more food in a small space. I am asking the kids this year what they would like to plant and am giving them their own space. I highly recommend the book, Square Foot Gardening. The new edition is filled with color pictures and its really not hard. People who use this method have been known to put their gardens on you tube as well. You can find the book on my bookshelf here on the blog. I bought mine used from Amazon.
Here are some of our garden pics over the years:
this is an old picture but I love it! these are my 2 youngest with our homegrown watermelon!
Since its a little too early to start indoor seeds here (and I am anxious) we put together the Root Vue. This looks cool! You mix the soil pellets with some water and place it in the styrofoam container, put the seeds on top and a plexiglas window in front so when the seeds grow you can see the roots. It comes with carrots, onions and radishes. Its a great winter project and my kids really enjoyed doing this.
Gardening Catalogs I have gotten so far:
Gurney's. I am not overly impressed with this catalog since they offer mostly hybrid seeds but they offer $25 off of a $50 order (expires May 20) and they sell things other than seeds (composting equipment, grow lights, seed starter kits, even worms)
Johnny's Selected Seeds-they sell a mixture of open pollinated, hybrid, and organic. selection is decent. They have growing information on many different products like how to grow, pests, harvesting and storage. I've gotten 2 catalogs already in about a months time.
Territorial Seed Company-similar to Johnny's. This may be my favorite.
Seeds of Change-all certified organic but I don't see any open pollinated seeds.
I requested more than these but this is it so far.
Time For Lunch!
Yesterday we looked at the frost dates and a map of the country so the kids could see how the growing seasons are different everywhere, and how this affects when we start indoor seeds and when we plant outdoors. I would love to live where the frost season starts in December and ends in January!
Seed catalogs can be a wealth of information as they tell you when to plant and how to harvest. Yes, there are tons of web sites with this info but there is nothing like sitting down with catalogs spread out, pages earmarked with items circled. Catalogs offer seeds the stores do not, such as open pollinated seeds-marked with an OP next to them. I choose these instead of hybrid seeds because you can collect the seeds and save them for next year. Hybrid plants (usually marked F1) do not have seeds that can be saved. Why not save money and reuse our seeds each year? The seeds can be put into a zip lock bag, placed in a mason jar and stored in the refrigerator (no wonder stores don't sell them). There are also seed exchanges popping up all over so we can try new things at no added expense.
We plant things we know we will eat and some new things we can try or give away. Local food banks would be happy to get fresh grown veggies.
I have been gardening for about 5 years now. We don't have much space in our yard to have a huge garden but its not the space you have but how you use your space that counts. We use the square foot gardening method. There is less weeding and less watering and more food in a small space. I am asking the kids this year what they would like to plant and am giving them their own space. I highly recommend the book, Square Foot Gardening. The new edition is filled with color pictures and its really not hard. People who use this method have been known to put their gardens on you tube as well. You can find the book on my bookshelf here on the blog. I bought mine used from Amazon.
Here are some of our garden pics over the years:
this is an old picture but I love it! these are my 2 youngest with our homegrown watermelon!
bush bean
marigolds keep some pests away
ground cover
cherry tomatoes
Since its a little too early to start indoor seeds here (and I am anxious) we put together the Root Vue. This looks cool! You mix the soil pellets with some water and place it in the styrofoam container, put the seeds on top and a plexiglas window in front so when the seeds grow you can see the roots. It comes with carrots, onions and radishes. Its a great winter project and my kids really enjoyed doing this.
Gardening Catalogs I have gotten so far:
Gurney's. I am not overly impressed with this catalog since they offer mostly hybrid seeds but they offer $25 off of a $50 order (expires May 20) and they sell things other than seeds (composting equipment, grow lights, seed starter kits, even worms)
Johnny's Selected Seeds-they sell a mixture of open pollinated, hybrid, and organic. selection is decent. They have growing information on many different products like how to grow, pests, harvesting and storage. I've gotten 2 catalogs already in about a months time.
Territorial Seed Company-similar to Johnny's. This may be my favorite.
Seeds of Change-all certified organic but I don't see any open pollinated seeds.
I requested more than these but this is it so far.
Time For Lunch!
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