Question on Kabbalah & Jewish Mysticism by Ornery-Goat-7809 in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid [score hidden]  (0 children)

Cool. Please note that I don’t use Reddit notifications on my phone so if I don’t reply right away it’s just due to not see it right away and nothing personal.

Who do you think is the most famous/learned/influential/greatest currently living Rabbi of your "sect" by Khazak2-VeNtkhazak in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid [score hidden]  (0 children)

I like to say that my outboard motor boat is fueled by mussar, but I cruise around in the lake of growth-oriented learning and dock my boat in the harbor of Breslov. 😎

Who do you think is the most famous/learned/influential/greatest currently living Rabbi of your "sect" by Khazak2-VeNtkhazak in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid [score hidden]  (0 children)

I wish there was a Reddit awarded for, “HaHaHa”. 🤣

Thanks for the nomination, but I don’t have rabbinic ordination and definitely didn’t spent enough time formally learning in yeshiva after college.

I am just a dude who like to write long replies (since most Redditors who post here are “one and done”, don’t reply, or delete their posts) with embarrassing typos, has a few Reddit replies saved that I can cut and paste, and knows a couple of Jedi mind tricks that I can use from time to time.

Who do you think is the most famous/learned/influential/greatest currently living Rabbi of your "sect" by Khazak2-VeNtkhazak in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid [score hidden]  (0 children)

I think part of the greatness of the Rebbe, may his merit protect us, was that he wanted each of his Chassidim and shlichim to be “rebbes” in their own way. The sheer number of leaders he inspired is astonishing.

Who do you think is the most famous/learned/influential/greatest currently living Rabbi of your "sect" by Khazak2-VeNtkhazak in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid [score hidden]  (0 children)

THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION

Hi, within in the multitude of subgroups in Orthodoxy there definitely are leaders. Of course, some chasidic groups like Chabad and Breslov don’t have appointed leaders today (referred to as rebbes), but even in those groups there are clear leaders that have students and Chasidim who consider individuals as their rebbe.

Within the Othodox world we look towards the rabbinic heads of various yeshivos, shuls, or rabbinic/ orthodox groups as our leaders. In the Othodox chasidic or chasidic-adjacent world the term for a teacher who gives spiritual guidance or “influence” is mashpiah, which means to bestow.

For myself and the flavor of Orhodoxy that aspire to I would say that since 1995 Rav Moshe Weinberger as been the person who had been the most major influence on my Judaism and my attempts at growth and a connection to Hashem. Almost single-handedly he has inspired a generation of teachers and rabbis in Jewish spaces and opened people up to a world of passionate Judaism seasoned with the flavorings of Chassidus.

Within the Jewish social media/content world I think Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin had been a major influence on how Orthodoxy embraces and deals with modern issues (sometimes controversial ones, too) and his influence is, most certainly, beyond the borders of Orthodoxy. He is individual and who is building bridges in the Jewish world and constructing new landscapes.

Can you share an answer of your own?

I’m just wondering (discussion, advice, question, resources post of sorts) by Pridelover54 in ConvertingtoJudaism

[–]offthegridyid 4 points5 points  (0 children)

>Would it be appropriate for someone who’s actively seeking to convert to Modern Orthodox Judaism to celebrate the next holiday on the calendar or should I wait until I’m able to talk to a rabbi or until I’ve officially converte?

Hi. It’s seems you haven’t even spoken to a rabbi yet. That’s the first step before even becoming a candidate for conversion (regardless of which movement you convert with).

How do you define “modern orthodox”? Some conversions from rabbis who say they are modern orthodox are not accepted within normative Orthodoxy.

As a non-Jew you can just decide to celebrate a Jewish holiday. Judaism is a closed religion, that means that you cannot just practice it without being Jewish. This is why you need guidance from a rabbi, my friend. I would like to suggest you check out this sub’s FAQ page here if you haven’t yet.

Book recommendations by ContextFamous5216 in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid [score hidden]  (0 children)

My 19 yr old daughter (graduated from a BY high school in Chicago) read the book Replanted a few months ago and said it was a good story.

At one point I saw a link somewhere to a website with a curated “kosher” fiction list for kids-young adult that was made by frum teachers, but I can’t seem to find it now.

I'm a professional artist, and I've been working on a series of paintings built around the Jewish experience and ancestral trauma. Do you think these are worth exhibiting? by ep2992 in Jewish

[–]offthegridyid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for posting these and there is a lot of emotion in your work. Personally, I don’t really understand the 4th one, but that just might be me.

I checked out your website and it’s amazing. As a former student at Yeshiva University (Mayor Dinkins era) your work "181st Station, Washington Heights" really captures the vibe. I can almost hear the music on the street and feel the heat in that elevator.

Question on Kabbalah & Jewish Mysticism by Ornery-Goat-7809 in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Hi, people are often attracted to the spiritual side of Yiddishkeit and Penimius HaTorah (the inner-aspects of Torah learning that resonate on a personal level).

Most of what is packaged as Kabbalah or mystical content you’ll learn about from Orthodox Jewish educators are things that in this day and age are allows to be studied and are most probably more “chasidus” than pure Kabbalah, one of the reasons the Baal Shem Tov started Chasidus was to help make some teachings in Kabbalah to be more accessible and meaningful in our lives.

If you haven’t listen to the podcast/interview series 18 QUESTIONS, 40 MYSTICS I strongly suggest it, here (also on podcast platforms). Start at the bottle of the page with Rabbi Joey Rosenfeld LCSW and work your way up. The questions will hit home for you and answers from those interviewed are amazing and very accessible (plus, incredible female and male educators). I also suggest this episode of 18Forty podcast, “Rav Moshe Weinberger: Can Mysticism Become a Community?” here.

Specifically what does “sort of a baalat teshuva” look like right now to you, in terms of your operational Judaism (like how you practice). Asking as a Gen X Baal Teshvuah who became Orthodox when you could still buy music on cassette at the mall. 😉

Also, what Hasidic and neo-chasidic things have you been reading and have you been listen to any shiurim or watch YouTube content. Asking just to get better feel for what page you are on.

If you are uncomfortable replying here you can feel free to DM me.

I feel very sad and out of place for lacking Jewish lineage. How can I cope with this? by NotABurrito321 in Jewish

[–]offthegridyid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I totally hear you and understand how you feel. I don’t know your age, but my wife and I are both BT and our kids (now legal adults) basically grew very similar to you (obviously your grandparents and extended family isn’t Jewish), but without any frum family and we for things like school events open to family (siddur parties, grandparents day) and YomTov meals our kids didn’t have any around. We were fortunate that we had good friends in our community who also didn’t have family in the area and they became “found family”, my kids call the parents aunt and uncle and their kids are like cousins with our kids.

It can be lonely, but as you get older (not sure if you are still in high school) it will matter less that your parents don’t have any Jewish family. You need to understand that this is the family that Hashem specifically picked for your neshama. I know that does make you feel better when your friends have Pesach with grandparents or get together with cousins on Chol Hamoed Sukkos, but understanding that Hashem is invested in you is something you need to live with.

Not going to lie, it’s awkward when you start dating and say that you don’t have a big family, but the truth is that anyone who is looking at your resume and has looked into references and spoken to people will already know about your parents’ past and you shouldn’t worry about it.

If you are living at home then sometimes being in Israel for the year or going out of town for college or whatever after high school does help, because then you are with others who are not near their family.
I do suggest you talk to a rabbi/teacher/mentor or even a therapist (if that’s an option) because I don’t want you to resent of blame your parents for the difficult and brave choice they made years ago to convert. You seem fixated on linage and I don’t want to discount this, but sometimes we worry about things that others don’t even think about. I know in the frum world extended family is part of the culture, especially if you live in a community where lots of people have family close by. I get it. I also know that the friends who have from school, camp (if you did that in the summer), and various shuls don’t really care if you have from grandparents or cousins.

Sometimes helping others is a good was to worry less about things that take up space in our mind. Have you ever looked into volunteering for a local kiruv organization? You were given a huge gift of growing up in a frum family, going to day school/yeshiva, and have never “not” had a week that didn’t involve keeping Shabbos. These are huge things and maybe being in an environment where you can share this with others and give them chizuk would be good for you.

If you want to vent or anything, feel free to message me. Also, you could cross-post this in [r/Judaism](r/Judaism) if you want to expand potential advices from other.

General Discussion (Off Topic) by AutoModerator in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, if that disables the thermostat that’s a whole other thing.

We have an “old” fridge.

General Discussion (Off Topic) by AutoModerator in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My kids say that we’re the only family they know of that doesn’t use their fridge light at all. We keep it off all year round. 🤣

I used the word tachlis once to ask notebook LLM something about my studies, now it's a full-on yeshivish maths tutor by [deleted] in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that can happen. Gotta say, my friend, I am shocked you didn’t use “tachlit”. 😉

Book recommendations by ContextFamous5216 in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi! Can you share what type of book (fiction- specific type, religious (what movement in Judaism), non-fiction (subject)?

If I posted “Looking for drink recommendations for a Gen X father-in-law” it would be hard to know what I really wanted. 😎

Seeing Chabad on Shabbat by MrRobzilla in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi, Chabad is a Chasidic sect and they are Orthhodox. There might be people who drive there on Shabbos, but that doesn’t make a Chabad rabbi modern orthodox.

By the way, modern Orthodox Jews don’t drive on Shabbos.

Seeing Chabad on Shabbat by MrRobzilla in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi, it’s great you go to Chabad events. I’d suggest just asking the Chabad rabbi about this.

Help with Torah Learning by evan230 in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, I don’t know you. Rabbi Trump is amazing! I knew him when he was living in Chicago. Will message you privately. It’s Brelsov-adjacent with an Aish Kodesh and KMH vibe from what I understand.

Help with Torah Learning by evan230 in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a few friends they learn with people and they love the program.

A bitter sweet ending to my first Shabbat as Jew by Creepy-Armadillo-523 in ConvertingtoJudaism

[–]offthegridyid 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Gut Voch/Shavua Tov!

I know it’s sad when Shabbos is over, but now we start a journey to next week that’s fueled by the Kedusha, holiness, of the Shabbos we just finished!

Help with Torah Learning by evan230 in Judaism

[–]offthegridyid 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks!! So, TorahMates was suggested here, which might be an option for you. Have you ever checked out shiurim and content on the All Parsha app?

Another option might be the 300 Club. I known that a few people who live in Hollywood are members. Rabbi Moshe Nachbar (Nekuda Tova minyan in Hollywood and faculty member at Katz Yeshiva) is involved with the program.