Good Shabbos / Shabbat Shalom

Off-topic
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The Sabbath is a special time in the Jewish week. It was called “Shabbos” (often pronounced as SHAH-bis) by Ashkenazic (European) Jews. Those from the East, and now also most Israelis and many others, say Shabbat (shah-BAHT). The title reflects two common phrases that Jews use to greet each other on the day. All Jewish days begin at sundown and end at nightfall.

It should be a time of relaxation and fun, but can be stressful and difficult for some people. These include, but aren’t limited to, those experiencing social anxiety, isolation and mental health issues - demographics familiar here on ADISC. For various reasons, there is a uniqueness to the day which is somewhat different than the holy days of other groups.

This thread - which will hopefully have ongoing interest - will be a place to share how Shabbat/Shabbos and other Jewish holidays impact you in a social way - how and if you enjoyed it, what challenges were had at home, synagogue or in the community, etc. Feel free to discuss the interaction between Sabbath observance and ABDL. Here are some guidelines:

Focus on you - no theological discussion, no proselytizing, no arguments about who is considered to be a Jew or who is a better Jew.

Despite the title, keep this thread focused on meaningful content. Our status pages are perfect places for such greetings as “Hope you enjoy” and “How was your Shabbos?”

Your comments can be focused on a single week or about an issue that you deal with occasionally or often.

The target of the thread are those who observe Shabbos in some way. Like in so many other areas of life, this is a wide spectrum. Those outside of our community are welcome to read and to comment when they have something which may be relevant. In order to avoid confusion, we ask that everyone - Jews and non-Jews - preface their comments with an indication of where they fit; be as specific as you are comfortable doing. (I would put for myself [Orthodox Jew]).

Consideration was made, and dropped, to include a glossary of common terms; it would be too polarizing and controversial. Instead, anyone should feel free to ask what a word or phrase means.

As always - be nice, respectful and accepting.

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Is this thread meant only for the Jewish folks on here? Trying to understand what exactly you’re want in people’s responses?

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It is meant for the Jews here, but we’re not telling anyone to stay away or not to comment. If you’d like to see something about how we live, this could be a nice, comfortable place to find out. With a host of holidays coming up, I and other Jews will have what to say about them, too.

Creating this thread was difficult. I didn’t want to be exclusionary, and know that the mids wouldn’t like that either. It was discussed with them, and approval was given. If it heads in the wrong direction, I’ll be the first to ask for its removal.

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[Orthodox Jew] This year, the Tishrei holidays come out in a way that is especially challenging. Tomorrow (Wednesday) night is Rosh Hashana, the New Year. It is a two-day holiday, so it rolls right into Shabbos, creating what we call a “three-day Yom Tov”. (“Yom Tov”, literally “good day”, means “holiday”.) This will be repeated in two weeks and then in three weeks.

This translates - for me at least - to three consecutive days of: no electronics, hanging out with family, going to shul and dressing formally. These are all different than during the week, when I act the way that I’m comfortable - not how my society expects. It doesn’t start on the holiday itself. I need to do laundry, help prepare meals, set up for guests that are coming, etc. Some of this has to begin now, and I’m not ready. All of this is happening when I’m far from being in the mood.

Back in my crisis days, I would have just done what I wanted - not conforming, not helping at home. To a great extent, I’m more of a responsible person nowadays, but it doesn’t make it easy. Resentment and the flight reflex are building inside of me as I type.

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(Protestant Christian) While our beliefs are different, I love learning about the Jewish customs and festivals. They are the roots of my faith. While I probably won’t be commenting, I just wanted to say that I will be respectfully tuning in.

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Not far from my house is a place called Strand Adventure. It’s an indoor activity place that has an arcade, 3-story tall play place, 3-story tall rock climbing walls, american ninja course room, laser tag room, bounce houses and 2 birthday room.

A guy used to work there who was Jewish. He was very nice. I loved talking to him and learning all kinds of things. He was always friendly and was open and shared lots of things. Before he moved away, he told my wife & I he liked talking with us. He said we were friendly and important to him was that we were respectful and honestly interested in what he had to say.

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( non denominational Christian). I’m always walking my dog so I see people walking to and from their Temple. What greeting can I give them?

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“Shalom” always works and is simple enough. It means “Peace”. If it is on or around the Sabbath and you’d like, try “Shabbat Shalom”. Truthfully, though, we’re good with a “good morning” - anything friendly. Please don’t yell “Jesus loves you!”; it accomplishes nothing other than creating hostility.

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I told that guy at the indoor activity center that my church sings a song that is partially in Hebrew. He liked it. He told me that not too many people know Hebrew, so to hear even a little bit, he appreciated it.now, I have no idea if he was orthodox or not.

Here was the song our church has sung:

Sh’ma Yisrael, Adonai, Eloheinu, Adonai echad.

here O Isreal the Lord os our God, the Lord is one.

so, what is the normal view an orthox Jew would have towards someone who us not Jewish? Do we stand a good chance at striking up a conversation with them?

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As with many topics, it’s a spectrum and depends on the time, place, individual and how you’re perceived to them. It’s not that different of an answer than for if white and black people can have a conversation. There is still that instinct that a non-Jew interacting with us wants either to kill or to convert us.

From my activity on ADISC you can see that some of us have no problem talking to non-Jews. Just remember that we are different and feel different.

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One more tip: You probably know that we don’t accept the New Testament. Quoting from it is a great way to make us tune you out.

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Yes, I know that. My friend and I talked about that. Because it was an activity center and my family had a pass there, and he worked there, my consist mannerism probably spoke more to him than my actual words over time. I didn’t just walk up and start yapping, lol.

He didn’t open up right away, but once he did, our talks were always awesome.

He understood my obvious lack of understanding on things and helped fill in the gaps or corrected my misunderstandings. I enjoyed our talks

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Wishing everyone a ksiva vachasima tova

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Would it be okay for me to wish you

Shana Tova

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As sundown and Rose Hashanah come closer, I wish a happy new year —Shana Tova — to all Jewish members of our ADISC community, their families, and their friends.

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toda shehayita savlani veazarta li lehishtaper.

toosmallforpullups

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I greet people going to Temple as warmly as I greet anyone else passing me. They are all my brothers and sisters. We pray to the same loving Creator.

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Shavua tov from Europe. I just finished a near two-week cruise in the mediterranean and now we’re spending a few days on land before flying home.

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I made it through two day RH in shul but on Shabbos I just crashed the whole day lol. Too much shul guys…

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Hey everyone! A gut gebentcht yoor!

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