Jewish musings, Sunday, Feb 11

[gazelle18]

Hi everyone, 

I'm leading this week. (Peachy and I switched). I’m out of town at a niece’s bat mitzvah, without my laptop; hence, no regular opening paragraph. 

I will bbl with a topic for Sunday! 

[gazelle18]

This is the beginning of the month of Adar, the month on the Hebrew calendar when we are “supposed” to feel joy. I always think it’s kind of funny that Jews are somehow obligated to be joyful, as though joy is just another something we can check off our list of mitzvot. But another way of thinking about this is that it is good that we are actually instructed to be joyful, even when there is a lot not to be joyful about. It is good to be reminded that good often follows bad, and that there is a time for everything, and that sorrow will inevitably give way to better times.

What is making you joyful these days?

[peachymom1]

Shavua tov! I am joyful about my son's upcoming marriage, but I am also joyful that I will be seeing all my sisters and their husbands, and all my other favorite people.

Ack, I'll BBL -- DH needs a hand.

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE! Please pray for Israel.

Re today's topic: I think being instructed to feel joyful is a good idea. It's like being reminded to do a gratitude list; the more things you think of to feel grateful about, the more you find.

What am I feeling joyful about these days? Mainly that this has been an easy winter so far!! Also, that my weight loss journey is going well (slowly but definitely).

We're going to be cooking this morning and that will be fun. DS and I will also be doing laundry, and DH is going out later to watch football. I think we'll all have a good time.

Have a peaceful day, Lee

[louise]

Joyful, eh? Well I am happy that there have been 18 hits on the video of my youtube and I also got a request for a discussion (later today) with someone I don't know who would like to go. Being an ambassador is a way to continue the work. Also, my 15yr old great niece who is now in London told me she watched it and would like to talk later - wow! I am excited to be starting our Mishloach Manot oddyssey soon also.

Thank you for the reminder - I will need to reframe some thing to get them into proper dar mode!

The husband of my college roommate (who died 2 years ago) had me to dinner last night for my birthday. He's keeping up the tradition. He is a musician and I learned that he wrote a piece in her memory that will be performed next week (for the first time). Looking foward to that.

[hollygail]

Just a quick check-in for now. I'm the featured presenter at a creative activity group that meets every other Sunday (so I can attend only on the days I'm not teaching Sunday school) and that's foremost on my mine at the moment (it starts in 45 minutes and I have to make and eat breakfast). It's about Rosh Chodesh and specifically Rosh Chodes Adar!

Yes, being joyful is a terrific idea! I have another one; it was given to me yesterday carpooling with my Sunday school teacher buddy to services (our classes were helping to lead yesterday). It's the "ta-da" list. If you don't know about it, I'll tell you in in our Zoom meeting later this morning.

[peachymom1]

I am joyful that I was able to easily add DH to my healthcare plan through work, and everything went smoothly and easily. And bffs' daughter was at Shabbat dinner with her toddlers, which was a hoot, and definitely joyful! Best of all, when we left bffs' house Friday night, everyone called out, "See you at the wedding!" Lots to look forward to!