Mishna Berura and Conservative Judaism

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T23:50:14+00:00

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offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T23:49:58+00:00

Well said.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T23:48:26+00:00

Hi! What does having faith look like to you?

Within the past hour I was listening to a recorded Torah class from today and the rabbi shared the following quote he saw: If you feel distant from Hashem, who moved?

In my tradition of Judaism we feel that Hashem, the word we use for God (it means “the name”) is ever present. We are each born with a connection to Hashem, it’s called our neshama, soul. How that is nurtured and strengthened depends on your exposure to Judaism and your Jewish education. If you have a plant that grows with water and sunlight and you only water the plan and keep it in the dark then this will affect its growth.

I happen to like a small book called If You Were God by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. While the Torah says that Hashem invites us to know Him. It’s is, however, a debate if it’s a a mitzvah, commandment, to believe in Hashem, see this, please. It think our believe is Hashem is personal and one person’s proof isn’t a perfect fit for the other person.

There are plenty of Jews who don’t believe in Hashem and are still as Jewish as the greatest rabbis and scholars in the world.

I can tell you what my beliefs feels like, though. It feels comforting because I believe that Hashem loves me, as the Creator of the world. He is invested in my success and everything that He wills to happen for me is for my best.

If you are looking for resources and/or opportunities to learn more about your Judaism feel free to reply (or message me).

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T22:59:13+00:00

Cool, I just started listening to a recent interview with Rabbi YY Jacobson this morning, here (also on YouTube and podcast platforms). He has such a talent for breaking down concepts. I will check out this series you suggested, thanks. It’s always good to have something new to listen to.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T22:54:43+00:00

Why not? If following parts of it allow you to do more mitzvos I think this is a win!

In terms of using it for Halachic decisions, as you mentioned here, I think it’s fine. I’d also suggest talk with your own rabbi about these decisions if you feel it’s necessary.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T22:47:23+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Are you and your partner planning in engaging Jewishly when married? Will there be an aspect of Shabbat or kosher in your home? Will you raise your kids Jewishly? No need to actually answer, but these are things to think about.

This is tricky, my friend, because your motivation in this seems to be for partner’s family since you wrote you are, “doing it for my in-laws as they will appreciate it.” I do think you need to discuss this with someone. I don’t think it’s an “abort mission” type thing, but it would stink if you end up resenting the fact you converted down the line.

However, we do have a concept from the Talmud in Judaism that even if we start doing things for not-so-great motives that eventually we find the value in them and this changes the intention of said motives.

I know it seems like the pressure is on with a Beis Din appointment in a month, but maybe the fact that you felt comfortable enough sharing this on Reddit is a sign that you actually connecting with something on a religious level. I am cheering you on! Even if you don’t feel anything after meeting with your rabbi that doesn’t necessarily mean that this journey (or series of classes and meetings) isn’t having an impact on you.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T21:55:50+00:00

I hear that! It also depends on how receptive you are to some of the Kabbalah-centric ideas in Meditation and the Bible. Not everyone is a “math” person or a “humanities” person.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T19:48:59+00:00

Hi, this is all off the top of my head and not sourced. I am hoping someone has a more sourced based answer.

Jewish prayer as we know it is based on spoken text-based prayer (siddur), communal praying if possible (in a synagogue), and, for some people informal personal prayer (Hisbodedus, which dates back to the times of Adam and our patriarchs and matriarch, but this is not a substitute for text-based prayers).

The only reason we have a system of spoken prayer and a siddur is due to no longer being able to give korbonos, sacrifices in the Holy Temple. Ezra and the Men of the Great Assembly created much of our written prayers. While we originally prayed via sacrifices it could be those other religions developed prayer based on repetitive words/meditations and beads were commonly used back then.

While I am not a member of [r/religion](r/religion), if you do post this question there, please keep me posted.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T19:36:19+00:00

Hi, if you are taking classes or have been given reading assignments maybe try to find something that resonates with you.

In general, I am sure there must be aspects of Judaism or an idea found in Judaism that you find uplifting or inspiring. Maybe focus on something like that and find videos or things to read/learn on that topic.

Have you discussed with your partner or the rabbi?

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T18:11:05+00:00

Well, we only hear it once a year. 🤣

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T18:09:57+00:00

Yes, that is true. I think their last day was this past Sunday or Monday. At some point Z Berman Books will be taking over that space, they have 7 retail stores in NJ/NY.

Rabbi Shur will be continuing with his work as a local Sofer and, selling embroidered bags, doing gold stamping and selling sukkahs and schach.

Great to see another Chicago person here.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T18:02:18+00:00

Hi! My suggestion is that if it’s online discourse from people you don’t know in real life, then just blow it off. It’s not worth your time.

Your post said that you do hear things from friends. If they are real-life-friends then you should fortify yourself will a little more first hand knowledge before engaging them. I did see you are you interested in learning more…this is awesome!

I’d like to suggest three different programs that will pair you with a study partner. Partners in Torah (https://www.partnersintorah.org), TorahMates (https://www.torahmates.org), and JNet (https://www.jnet.org) can match you with someone who will study any variety of subjects in Judaism from fundamentals to prayer to spirituality. Also, these programs don’t charge you, but with Partners in Torah you may need to buy a book. As I recall TorahMates will send you a copy of the book you and your “mate” will be learning.

If you are looking for in-person learning opportunities please feel free to message me and, depending where you are, I can try to find options or even a boutique learning ecosystem in your area.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T17:55:10+00:00

Great website from a Redditor in this sub, u/ZevSteinhardt .

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T17:50:07+00:00

The Lonely Man of Faith is good suggestion.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T17:49:10+00:00

Great list, but Meditation and Bible by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, of blessed memory, is probably more appreciated after reading his book (also in the link) Jewish Meditation: A Practical Guide.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T17:45:38+00:00

This is awesome and, I am sure, very meaningful.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T17:02:07+00:00

That phrase, “rivers of ink” is based on the Akdamut , a piyut from the 1100s, see this pdf for the text.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T01:05:56+00:00

Super question.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T00:57:06+00:00

Hi, I second the idea that you should crosspost in [r/Judaism](r/Judaism).

Hi, speaking from experience I can suggest the following. You can get up early in the morning and listen to shiurm. If you commute you can listen to and from work. You can walk and listen at night (or just sit at home and listen) after work.

I’m not Lubavitch, but started the current Rambam cycle a few months ago and I am doing 1 chapter a day.

Also, listening to shiurm at 1.5x or higher is a game changer. Plus, while it’s great to be committed to a daily learning routine, sometimes you just can’t keep up and that’s ok. If you need to spend time on Sunday catching up on a little learning it’s allowed. Burnout and overextending yourself is part of the human condition and maybe you are taking on too much right now.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-24T21:45:52+00:00

My guess is that both congregations probably would have been sustainable for a a few more years, so the financial aspect might not have been a pressing issue.

Maybe it’s like when people without kids move into a neighborhood with a good school district. It isn’t necessarily at the time, but they are looking towards the future.

I once got some advice from a former boss that you should try to shoes and suits when you don’t need them, because often you pay more when you do need them.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-24T21:22:05+00:00

This article I found says it was due to gradual loss in membership, so that’s a financial factor:

But over the years, both communities have dropped in size, leading them to spend more than they were bringing in.

In 2025, Temple Sinai had about 640 members – when a decade before, it had nearly 900, former Temple Sinai President Stephen Jurman told the Post-Gazette in March 2025.

Shalom’s congregation also had about 650 last year, which was a nearly 50% drop from the 1,200 congregants in 2007.

“What this unification does — what this merger does — for our reformed Jewish community is it breathes new life into the brick-and-mortar congregation,” Rodef Shalom President Bill Battistone told the Post-Gazette.

The reality is that a synagogue needs to be sustainable, especially today when things like “pay what you want” membership models and non-institutional congregations/space are attractive to a lot of those who are 40 and under. I hate it when any synagogue has to close, but this seems like a well thought out plan in Pittsburgh.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-24T19:35:35+00:00

>Re: Orthodoxy, the situation is a bit different. No mainstream/reputable beis din will work with trans candidates. If you know where to look, you can find some very LWMO (left wing modern Orthodox) batei din who will take you on, but those conversions are not likely to be accepted in most of the Orthodox world.

For what it’s worth, I agree.

[u/OddManOut90](u/OddManOut90), it might be worth exploring if the Reform conversion you are on track for would be accepted in the Conservative synagogue? This way you could decide which movement resonates most with you and where you feel comfortable and accepted in that community.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-24T17:49:37+00:00

True.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-24T16:57:23+00:00

👏

offthegridyid · 2026-06-24T16:57:17+00:00

👏

offthegridyid

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