At least I used cuts...
Sep. 17th, 2002 11:15 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
magid Shabbat dinner went really well. I was pleased that the group worked... I hadn't really been thinking about distribution of guests across different social groups. I was glad finally to have Pheromone and her D over for dinner. And I managed to get some friends on their first Shabbat in Cambridge. D&D are friends who just arrived here on sabbatical. I know him very well, though we've been less in touch since he's moved out of the country, while I know his wife just from the wedding. Had I been thinking differently, I might've invited someone else from the Hillel community. But things were fine. They ran late enough that we'd started a game of Guillotine before they arrived...
Friday afternoon I saw the nurse about the never-ending poison ivy. She was running late (one of the reasons I ended up running later than I'd planned, not going to services), but finally saw me long enough to prescribe some cute little purple pills to kill the itchiness (if they don't work, I get to see a dermatologist next...). Possible side-effect: drowsiness. With the sleep deprivation from the itchiness, that didn't seem like a bad trade-off.
Friday I took the first one, and didn't notice any particular drowsiness issues. Shabbat morning I took the next one, and by the end of services, I was definitely more tired than I should've been, rather zoned. Home to fall into bed for a nap before lunch, then another nap after lunch. I never did shake off the zoned feeling.
Sunday I managed to avoid taking one until just before the fast started, and amazingly, didn't need one during the entire fast (I did end up going to bed incredibly early, though). I started thinking I might've gotten to the other side of this one... until I got home and started itching again. Bizarre. Still, I think I'm managing to heal some.
Though I did get a blister on my leg in an odd place (front of the shin) that I can only assume is related to the rest of the stuff going on. And now the area around where it was is a bit swollen (though that might be from hitting it with my bike...).
I so want to be done with this.
I went to Shabbat Shuvah [1] services in the morning. Just enough reminder of the time of year in the liturgy, without getting long-winded. At kiddush I discovered that apparently all the Jews-from-shul I want to invite over to eat in my sukkah are either (a) going out of town, or (b) building their own, and don't want a meal out. It feels odd to have a sukkah and (as of yet) no guests for any of the (4) meals this yom tov (this weekend).
Lunch included arctic char (not, as many seem to believe, "artic chard") baked with cranberry chutney. Something about pink fish (not Pinkfish!) seems to mean heartier fish than white fish.
[1] The Shabbat between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuva, after the haftorah [2], which begins with that word. [3]
[2] selection from Prophets chosen to coordinate with that week's Torah portion in some way.
[3] It is *not* Shabbat T'shuva (Shabbat of Repentance), though one might think it would be a good name for this one...
This week the eruv was up, both for Shabbat and Yom Kippur.
I used it just as soon as Shabbat came in, taking out the stinky trash before guests arrived. I got a visit from E, walking his son in the hope the infant would finally fall asleep. The grape-juice buyer delivered his goods, too.
There are going to be a lot of changes, big and small...
Most of them are good:
Parents of small people (usually moms) no longer housebound. Inviting families over on Shabbat. Bringing one's personal siddur to shul. Bringing food to meals at the time, rather than figuring out a drop-off time beforehand. Having tissues and cough drops when ill. Being able to bring sunglasses/raincoat/sweater/other clothes to deal with weather changes. Carrying my keys. Having water on a long walk. Taking out the trash.
Some of them are not so good/need thought:
Realizing that there may be no day I walk without carrying anything (it feels different; I move better, more smoothly, enjoy the movement of both arms and legs swinging freely). Losing some of the sense of differentness of the day. Having to remember that carrying doesn't mean carrying *anything,* just Shabbat-appropriate things (palm pilots are still right out or pens, or anything you wouldn't have a halachic use for on Shabbat). Having to figure out how to deal with stroller parking at shul so the fire regulations aren't compromised.
In general, I think that having an eruv means that we are a community that is a place families would consider living long-term, not just for grad school. I also think that eruv is more of a real issue for orthodox feminists than, for instance, hair covering, or other things about personal appearance. It means that women are important in the community.
Sunday was busy. Queue and I went for a bike ride out some of the bike path. I was annoyed that my odometer kept cutting in and out; I hadn't realized the extent my dependence on it for motivation ("I've gone x miles, in y minutes, at an average speed of z mi/h." (aka mph, if one hasn't been warped by one's job)). We saw the 9/11 memorial in Davis Square. I wouldn't have expected anything by Hilary Scott to be so... rectilinear, and so... er, traditional? Doesn't do much for me. Not objectionable is about the best I can say.
An improv brunch, then to Tag's for canning supplies. Queue has now been to Tag's, source of lots of useful stuff.
I went to mincha (afternoon service), which was earlier than usual to allow for eating after. Yet another service that makes its link to the day clear, but in a low-key way. It's one of my more favorite services.
A quick stop for an-errand-to-be-elicudated-later, then to Cthulhia's for an egg-decorating event. I stuck to my usual geometric patterns, and hopefully the egg will come out ok. I got to talk with Mud_Puppy, and find out the Scholargipsy went to my high school! I was glad to see Cthulhia, and it was cool to see the apartment somewhat rearranged. Oh, and chocolate-covered peanut-butter-filled pretzels are yummy.
I ended up home later than I'd wanted, pluse got sucked into checking email and LJ. I didn't eat/drink as much as I'd wanted, but it was ok. I ended up dashing to Pound Hall rather later than I'd wanted.... I wish I hadn't had to dash quite so immediately when I ran into Charliegrrl on my way...
The davening was good, it was a full house, and yet much of the time I wasn't as focused as I have been in previous years, and I wish I had been able to manage that kind of focus again. It's still amazing to hear Yoni daven, and to hear the congregation singing some of the songs that can give me shivers, but the concentration wasn't there. I think part of it is the lack of mental preparation. I haven't thought sufficiently about what I need to change (nor did I ask forgiveness from those I've wronged...).
OTOH, I learned that I am ok while fasting, if I'm not always in a closed room with temperature control issues.
Z had asked for help bringing the baby for his afternoon of day care (courtesy of the eruv....), since she's hurt her hand. The timing was a bit off what I would've chosen (things I don't care if I miss/things I prefer to be there for), but getting outside for a walk, feeling the air move on my face, even walking through the rain on the way back, all this was good. Also talking with Z was good. I got to tell someone about how I feel less about the minyan b/c the community (that I'd helped whenever there was something I could do) didn't even call when I was incapacitated. One or two individuals helped, but for the most part, it was other people (lots of LJ users among them!) who helped me through the months of recuperation (special thanks to the chauffeur...).
Still, the 26-hour fast is draining. I was glad to have brought a water-bottle with me, to down as soon as havdalah was over.
Friday afternoon I saw the nurse about the never-ending poison ivy. She was running late (one of the reasons I ended up running later than I'd planned, not going to services), but finally saw me long enough to prescribe some cute little purple pills to kill the itchiness (if they don't work, I get to see a dermatologist next...). Possible side-effect: drowsiness. With the sleep deprivation from the itchiness, that didn't seem like a bad trade-off.
Friday I took the first one, and didn't notice any particular drowsiness issues. Shabbat morning I took the next one, and by the end of services, I was definitely more tired than I should've been, rather zoned. Home to fall into bed for a nap before lunch, then another nap after lunch. I never did shake off the zoned feeling.
Sunday I managed to avoid taking one until just before the fast started, and amazingly, didn't need one during the entire fast (I did end up going to bed incredibly early, though). I started thinking I might've gotten to the other side of this one... until I got home and started itching again. Bizarre. Still, I think I'm managing to heal some.
Though I did get a blister on my leg in an odd place (front of the shin) that I can only assume is related to the rest of the stuff going on. And now the area around where it was is a bit swollen (though that might be from hitting it with my bike...).
I so want to be done with this.
I went to Shabbat Shuvah [1] services in the morning. Just enough reminder of the time of year in the liturgy, without getting long-winded. At kiddush I discovered that apparently all the Jews-from-shul I want to invite over to eat in my sukkah are either (a) going out of town, or (b) building their own, and don't want a meal out. It feels odd to have a sukkah and (as of yet) no guests for any of the (4) meals this yom tov (this weekend).
Lunch included arctic char (not, as many seem to believe, "artic chard") baked with cranberry chutney. Something about pink fish (not Pinkfish!) seems to mean heartier fish than white fish.
[1] The Shabbat between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuva, after the haftorah [2], which begins with that word. [3]
[2] selection from Prophets chosen to coordinate with that week's Torah portion in some way.
[3] It is *not* Shabbat T'shuva (Shabbat of Repentance), though one might think it would be a good name for this one...
This week the eruv was up, both for Shabbat and Yom Kippur.
I used it just as soon as Shabbat came in, taking out the stinky trash before guests arrived. I got a visit from E, walking his son in the hope the infant would finally fall asleep. The grape-juice buyer delivered his goods, too.
There are going to be a lot of changes, big and small...
Most of them are good:
Parents of small people (usually moms) no longer housebound. Inviting families over on Shabbat. Bringing one's personal siddur to shul. Bringing food to meals at the time, rather than figuring out a drop-off time beforehand. Having tissues and cough drops when ill. Being able to bring sunglasses/raincoat/sweater/other clothes to deal with weather changes. Carrying my keys. Having water on a long walk. Taking out the trash.
Some of them are not so good/need thought:
Realizing that there may be no day I walk without carrying anything (it feels different; I move better, more smoothly, enjoy the movement of both arms and legs swinging freely). Losing some of the sense of differentness of the day. Having to remember that carrying doesn't mean carrying *anything,* just Shabbat-appropriate things (palm pilots are still right out or pens, or anything you wouldn't have a halachic use for on Shabbat). Having to figure out how to deal with stroller parking at shul so the fire regulations aren't compromised.
In general, I think that having an eruv means that we are a community that is a place families would consider living long-term, not just for grad school. I also think that eruv is more of a real issue for orthodox feminists than, for instance, hair covering, or other things about personal appearance. It means that women are important in the community.
Sunday was busy. Queue and I went for a bike ride out some of the bike path. I was annoyed that my odometer kept cutting in and out; I hadn't realized the extent my dependence on it for motivation ("I've gone x miles, in y minutes, at an average speed of z mi/h." (aka mph, if one hasn't been warped by one's job)). We saw the 9/11 memorial in Davis Square. I wouldn't have expected anything by Hilary Scott to be so... rectilinear, and so... er, traditional? Doesn't do much for me. Not objectionable is about the best I can say.
An improv brunch, then to Tag's for canning supplies. Queue has now been to Tag's, source of lots of useful stuff.
I went to mincha (afternoon service), which was earlier than usual to allow for eating after. Yet another service that makes its link to the day clear, but in a low-key way. It's one of my more favorite services.
A quick stop for an-errand-to-be-elicudated-later, then to Cthulhia's for an egg-decorating event. I stuck to my usual geometric patterns, and hopefully the egg will come out ok. I got to talk with Mud_Puppy, and find out the Scholargipsy went to my high school! I was glad to see Cthulhia, and it was cool to see the apartment somewhat rearranged. Oh, and chocolate-covered peanut-butter-filled pretzels are yummy.
I ended up home later than I'd wanted, pluse got sucked into checking email and LJ. I didn't eat/drink as much as I'd wanted, but it was ok. I ended up dashing to Pound Hall rather later than I'd wanted.... I wish I hadn't had to dash quite so immediately when I ran into Charliegrrl on my way...
The davening was good, it was a full house, and yet much of the time I wasn't as focused as I have been in previous years, and I wish I had been able to manage that kind of focus again. It's still amazing to hear Yoni daven, and to hear the congregation singing some of the songs that can give me shivers, but the concentration wasn't there. I think part of it is the lack of mental preparation. I haven't thought sufficiently about what I need to change (nor did I ask forgiveness from those I've wronged...).
OTOH, I learned that I am ok while fasting, if I'm not always in a closed room with temperature control issues.
Z had asked for help bringing the baby for his afternoon of day care (courtesy of the eruv....), since she's hurt her hand. The timing was a bit off what I would've chosen (things I don't care if I miss/things I prefer to be there for), but getting outside for a walk, feeling the air move on my face, even walking through the rain on the way back, all this was good. Also talking with Z was good. I got to tell someone about how I feel less about the minyan b/c the community (that I'd helped whenever there was something I could do) didn't even call when I was incapacitated. One or two individuals helped, but for the most part, it was other people (lots of LJ users among them!) who helped me through the months of recuperation (special thanks to the chauffeur...).
Still, the 26-hour fast is draining. I was glad to have brought a water-bottle with me, to down as soon as havdalah was over.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2002-09-17 09:53 am (UTC)The Extra Hour
Date: 2002-09-17 11:41 am (UTC)s
ignorant Jew question
Date: 2002-09-17 11:10 am (UTC)(BTW, if those chocolate-covered peanut-butter-filled pretzels are the ones I sampled at the neighborhood crack deal^H^H^H^H^HTrader Joe's, I agree, those are awfully yummy!)
Re: Eruv
Date: 2002-09-17 11:49 am (UTC)An eruv is a system that enables Jews-who-care to carry (this includes pushing baby strollers) on Shabbat (and Yom Kippur) in a non-personally-owned space, such as the streets of Cambridge and Somerville.
Physically, this entails enclosing the carrying area with a wall... that happens to include a lot of really really large doorways. Think post-and-lintel system, often without anything in between. Practically, this could include using the telephone wires, or the fences along railroad tracks (or the Pike), or really steep slopes (the seawall by MIT), or string (string-equivalent) put between posts (usually ones that exist already), making sure that the posts of the system line up with the lintels.
This takes a huge amount of work:
mapping the whole thing, to the level of pole numbers
getting the eruv expert rabbi to check the whole plan
getting permission from every entity involved (very nontrivial)
building what needs to be built.
It's taken over a decade for the one that just went up to be completed, through many iterations...
Um, let me know which bits of this aren't clear...
(it was the TJ's Snack Crack)
w
Re: Eruv
Date: 2002-09-17 12:35 pm (UTC)Re: Eruv
Date: 2002-09-17 12:56 pm (UTC)I remember checking the (3 parts of) the Brandeis eruv that needed checking weekly, and it took a bit of time. This one is a lot more complicated (though, presumably, there is a larger pool of volunteer checkers, and I think there may be something about the contractor who does major fixes having workers check it as well (paid, of course).
k
Re: Eruv
Date: 2002-09-17 11:05 pm (UTC)