Well…here we go. I think it’s only Jewish to start with a debate over the question regarding the date itself.
4/13…when are we really starting?…since the Jewish day begins after sundown, are we starting late on the 12th or on the 2nd day of Passover?
I had to ask myself that very question since I did not think about it prior. And…after some deliberation, we are going to align ourselves with the Omer thus we are starting with the 2nd Day of Pesach with it commencing on the 13th of April after sundown. I also went to a 2nd Night Seder at the Shul with my family and friends…that definitely contributed.
So…right off the bat, we are going to establish that I am going to follow the Jewish Calendar and celebrate the Holidays…I know that should come without saying but we are working on the baseline…and I will make an effort to celebrate with family and friends at home and/or at the Shul since Judaism is a very communal practice.
Evening Practice:
So the full Arvit is becoming our baseline as well on the first day. I went with the Yom Tov version using Mishkan T’Filah and Full Hallel. Counting the Omer.
Morning Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Shema
Amidah
Full Hallel since Pesach Yom Tov (8 day Passover since we started with the Yom Tov prayers)
Afternoon Practice:
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 2 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ]...goal is to learn to read fluently in Hebrew and start learning the language.
In terms of Kashrut, starting with the following:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
- since Pesach no Hametz...prohibition includes Kitniyot.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
Evening Practice:
Full Regular Arvit [Mishkan T’Filah] with Partial Hallel (change from Full)
Counting the Omer.
Morning Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Mah Tovu - new
Putting on the Tefillin - new
Shema
Amidah
Partial Hallel (change from Full)
Afternoon Practice:
Washing Hands - new before reading the Torah
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 2 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
- since Pesach no Hametz...prohibition includes Kitniyot.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
Evening Practice:
Washing Hands - New
Full Regular Arvit [Mishkan T’Filah] with Partial Hallel
Counting the Omer.
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - new (אל נא רפא נא לה) [Sim Shalom]
Morning Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Mah Tovu
Putting on the Tefillin
Asher Yatzar - new
Shema
Amidah
Partial Hallel
Afternoon Practice:
Washing Hands
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 2 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
- since Pesach no Hametz...prohibition includes Kitniyot.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
Evening Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands - now before every prayer/Torah study/Shul Services
Full Regular Arvit with Partial Hallel
Counting the Omer
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - mentioned the name within Amidah [Sim Shalom - right after Refa'einu] - change
Morning Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Mah Tovu
Putting on the Tefillin
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama - new
Shema
Amidah
Partial Hallel
Afternoon Practice:
Washing Hands
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 [New] page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ]. Change from 2 to 4.
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
- since Pesach no Hametz...prohibition includes Kitniyot.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
Evening Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit with Partial Hallel
Counting the Omer
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - mentioned the name within Amidah [Sim Shalom - right after Refa'einu]
Morning Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Mah Tovu
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Nisim B'Chol Yom - New
Shema
Amidah
Partial Hallel
Afternoon Practice:
Washing Hands
Putting on the Tefillin - I ran short of time this morning and switched Tefillin to the afternoon for this day.
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
- since Pesach no Hametz...prohibition includes Kitniyot.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
First Shabbat upon us!
Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat - so we are setting the baseline with weekly celebration of Kabbalat Shabbat - either with friends in the Shul or with friends at the dinner table. Shul this time. NEW.
Counting the Omer.
Morning Practice:
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Mah Tovu
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Torah Study - baselining some form of Torah Study in the Shul or home on the Shabbat Day. Shul this time. NEW.
Morning Shabbat Services- baselining either Shul Attendance or online participation in Services on Saturday Morning. NEW.
Al Netilat Yadayim - is automatically assumed when in the Synagogue or at the Shabbat Dinner Table thus not mentioned going forward.
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
- since Pesach no Hametz...prohibition includes Kitniyot.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration
- Shabbat Group Torah Study
Evening Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Yom Tov Arvit - with Full Hallel
Counting the Omer
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - mentioned the name within Amidah [Sim Shalom - right after Refa'einu]
Morning Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Mah Tovu
With Sunday mornings allowing for longer prayer/study, I am going to baseline a Shul Shacharit or an Online Shacharit with a minyan (NEW) for Sundays. Today I joined online Pesach Services with B'Nai Jeshurun - New York Shul. B'Nai Jeshurun has daily minyans so I may join other times as well instead of davening alone so I can recite Kaddish with a minyan.
Afternoon Practice:
Washing Hands
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
- since Pesach no Hametz...prohibition includes Kitniyot. [last day]
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration
- Shabbat Group Torah Study
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance
Evening Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Counting the Omer
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - mentioned the name within Amidah [Sim Shalom - right after Refa'einu].
Morning Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Mah Tovu
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Nisim B'Chol Yom
Laasok B'Divrei Torah & V'Haarev Na & Eilu D'Varim - NEW
Shema
Amidah
Afternoon Practice:
Washing Hands
Putting on the Tefillin
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration
- Shabbat Group Torah Study
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance
EVENING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Counting the Omer
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - [Sim Shalom - Refa'einu].
MORNING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
1) BIRKCHOT HASHACHAR:
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Mah Tovu
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Nisim B'Chol Yom
Birkat Hagomel - NEW (one time...only due to circumstances)
Laasok B'Divrei Torah & V'Haarev Na & Eilu D'Varim
Study Text - There Are Eight Degrees In the Giving of Tzedakah - NEW
2) P'SUKEI D'ZIMRAH - NEW
Baruch She-Amar
Psalm 100
Shema
Amidah
AFTERNOON PRACTICE:
Washing Hands
Putting on the Tefillin
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Yom HaShoah Night of Remembrance & Reflection - WW2 Museum NOLA (New - one time)
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration
- Shabbat Group Torah Study
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance
EVENING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Counting the Omer
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - [Sim Shalom - Refa'einu].
MORNING PRACTICE:
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Mah Tovu
I joined B'Nai Jeshurun for the morning Shacharit [Online Minyan - Sim Shalom]...I wanted to say the Kaddish with the minyan. Kaddish is one of my favorite prayers. I will plan on saying the Kaddish with a minyan at least twice between Monday and Friday. NEW.
AFTERNOON PRACTICE:
Washing Hands
Putting on the Tefillin
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish.
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule).
- checking eggs for blood spots (I have my own chickens) - NEW.
- checking vegetables and fruit for bugs - NEW.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration
- Shabbat Group Torah Study
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance & Monday-Friday Minyan Attendance (twice min)
EVENING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Counting the Omer
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - [Sim Shalom - Refa'einu].
MORNING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
1) BIRKCHOT HASHACHAR:
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Mah Tovu
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Nisim B'Chol Yom
Laasok B'Divrei Torah & V'Haarev Na & Eilu D'Varim
Study Text 1 - There Are Eight Degrees In the Giving of Tzedakah
Study Text 2 - choice between Mishkan T'Filah & Sim Shalom - NEW
2) P'SUKEI D'ZIMRAH:
Baruch She-Amar
Psalm 100
Ashrei - NEW
Shema
Amidah
AFTERNOON PRACTICE:
Washing Hands
Putting on the Tefillin
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule)
- checking eggs for blood spots (I have my own chickens)
- checking vegetables and fruit for bugs
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration
- Shabbat Group Torah Study
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance & Monday-Friday Minyan Attendance (twice min)
EVENING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - [Sim Shalom - Refa'einu].
Counting the Omer
MORNING PRACTICE:
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Mah Tovu
I joined B'Nai Jeshurun for the morning Shacharit [Online Minyan - Sim Shalom].
Psalms 146-150 - NEW
AFTERNOON PRACTICE:
Washing Hands
Putting on the Tefillin
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish, no game meat and no imitations [NEW]
- effort to rid the meat of any visible blood & avoiding the hindquarters [NEW]
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule).
- checking eggs for blood spots (I have my own chickens).
- checking vegetables and fruit for bugs.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration
- Shabbat Group Torah Study
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance & Monday-Friday Minyan Attendance (twice min)
Second Shabbat upon us!
Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat - Synagogue in-person.
Counting the Omer.
Morning Practice:
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Mah Tovu
Torah Study - Synagogue in-person.
Morning Shabbat Services- Synagogue in-person.
AFTERNOON PRACTICE:
Washing Hands
Home Study - Talmud - I re-started my Talmud journey - Koren Talmud Bavli: Berakhot (about 30 pages in; 1 page a day...I know it's not a full DAF but I gotta start somewhere). - NEW
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish, no game meat and no imitations.
- effort to rid the meat of any visible blood & avoiding the hindquarter.
- Kosher wine only - NEW
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule).
- checking eggs for blood spots (I have my own chickens).
- checking vegetables and fruit for bugs.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration
- Shabbat Group Torah Study
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance & Monday-Friday Minyan Attendance (twice min)
- Mezuzot: so I have them on each of the doors leading to the outside and on the main in-house doors. They have been there for a while but touching the Mezuzah on the way in and out is NEW starting today.
Evening Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - [Sim Shalom - right after Refa'einu]
Counting the Omer
Morning Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Mah Tovu
I joined B'Nai Jeshurun for the full morning Shacharit [Online Minyan - Sim Shalom].
Psalm 30 - it caught my attention today...it's right a the end of Birkhot Ha-Shahar between the two Kaddishes. NEW.
AFTERNOON PRACTICE:
Washing Hands
Putting on the Tefillin
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Talmud -1 page
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish, no game meat and no imitations.
- effort to rid the meat of any visible blood & avoiding the hindquarter.
- Kosher wine only
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule).
- checking eggs for blood spots (I have my own chickens).
- checking vegetables and fruit for bugs.
ther:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration
- Shabbat Group Torah Study
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance & Monday-Friday Minyan Attendance (twice min)
- Mezuzot:
Evening Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - [Sim Shalom - right after Refa'einu]
Counting the Omer
MORNING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
1) BIRKCHOT HASHACHAR:
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Mah Tovu - I decided to start reciting Mah Tovu right before B'Chol Yom because then I am ready for the rest of the Shacharit.
Nisim B'Chol Yom
Laasok B'Divrei Torah & V'Haarev Na & Eilu D'Varim
Study Text 1 - There Are Eight Degrees In the Giving of Tzedakah
Study Text 2 - choice between Mishkan T'Filah & Sim Shalom
Psalm 30 (Sim Shalom)
2) P'SUKEI D'ZIMRAH:
Baruch She-Amar
Psalm 100
Ashrei
Psalms 146-150 (Sim Shalom)
Shema - since alone adding "God is Faithful Sovereign" & recited with full verses - NEW
Amidah
Ashrei - 2nd Ashrei during Shacharit - NEW
AFTERNOON PRACTICE:
Washing Hands
Putting on the Tefillin
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Talmud -1 page
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish, no game meat and no imitations.
- effort to rid the meat of any visible blood & avoiding the hindquarter.
- Kosher wine only
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule).
- checking eggs for blood spots (I have my own chickens).
- checking vegetables and fruit for bugs.
Other:
Mezuzot: on all outside doors/touching when coming in and out of the house.
Evening Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - [Sim Shalom - right after Refa'einu]
Counting the Omer
MORNING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Mah Tovu
I joined B'Nai Jeshurun for a morning Minyan...and I was late since I forgot about Rosh Hodesh unfortunately. Need to understand the calendar better.
AFTERNOON PRACTICE:
Washing Hands
Ashrei - 3rd for the day - NEW
Putting on the Tefillin
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Talmud -1 page
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish, no game meat and no imitations.
- effort to rid the meat of any visible blood & avoiding the hindquarter.
- Kosher wine only
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule).
- checking eggs for blood spots (I have my own chickens).
- checking vegetables and fruit for bugs.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays.
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration.
- Shabbat Group Torah Study.
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance & Monday-Friday Minyan Attendance (twice min).
- Mezuzot: on all outside doors/touching when coming in and out of the house.
Evening Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - [Sim Shalom - right after Refa'einu]
Counting the Omer
MORNING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
1) BIRKCHOT HASHACHAR:
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Mah Tovu
Nisim B'Chol Yom
Laasok B'Divrei Torah & V'Haarev Na & Eilu D'Varim
Study Text 1 - There Are Eight Degrees In the Giving of Tzedakah
Study Text 2 - choice between Mishkan T'Filah & Sim Shalom
Psalm 30 (Sim Shalom)
2) P'SUKEI D'ZIMRAH:
Baruch She-Amar
Psalm 100
Ashrei
Psalms 146-150 (Sim Shalom)
Psals: 89:53, 135:21, 72:18-19 (Sim Shalom) - NEW
Shema - since alone adding "God is Faithful Sovereign" & recited with full verses
Amidah
Ashrei - 2nd Ashrei during Shacharit
Today we celebrate Yom HaZikaron 2025.
AFTERNOON PRACTICE:
Washing Hands
Ashrei - 3rd Ashrei
Putting on the Tefillin
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Talmud -1 page (Koren)
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish, no game meat and no imitations.
- effort to rid the meat of any visible blood & avoiding the hindquarter.
- Kosher wine only
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule).
- checking eggs for blood spots (I have my own chickens).
- checking vegetables and fruit for bugs.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays.
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration.
- Shabbat Group Torah Study.
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance & Monday-Friday Twice Min Minyan Attendance.
- Mezuzot: on all outside doors/touching when coming in and out of the house.
Evening Practice: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
Washing Hands
Full Regular Arvit
Prayer for Healing for a sick neighbor - [Sim Shalom - right after Refa'einu]
Counting the Omer
MORNING PRACTICE: [Mishkan T’Filah unless otherwise stated]
1) BIRKCHOT HASHACHAR:
Modeh Ani
Washing Hands
Mah Tovu
Asher Yatzar
Elohai Neshama
Nisim B'Chol Yom
Laasok B'Divrei Torah & V'Haarev Na & Eilu D'Varim
Study Text 1 - There Are Eight Degrees In the Giving of Tzedakah
Study Text 2 - choice between Mishkan T'Filah & Sim Shalom
Psalm 30 (Sim Shalom)
2) P'SUKEI D'ZIMRAH:
Baruch She-Amar
Psalm 100
Ashrei
Psalms 146-150 (Sim Shalom)
Psals: 89:53, 135:21, 72:18-19 (Sim Shalom)
Shema - since alone adding "God is Faithful Sovereign" & recited with full verses
Amidah
Ashrei - 2nd Ashrei during Shacharit
Yom HaAtzma’ut Today!
Mincha: ... we are going to start calling this time Mincha (NEW) since we are incorporating Ashrei and Amidah.
Washing Hands
Putting on the Tefillin
Ashrei - 3rd Ashrei
Amidah - NEW
Blessing for the Study of Torah
Torah - daily reading 4 page min in Hebrew. [The Torah - A Modern Commentary URJ].
Talmud -1 page (Koren)
Kashrut:
- no pork and no shellfish, no game meat and no imitations.
- effort to rid the meat of any visible blood & avoiding the hindquarter.
- Kosher wine only
- no meat and cheese together (1 hour Amsterdam separation rule).
- checking eggs for blood spots (I have my own chickens).
- checking vegetables and fruit for bugs.
Other:
- Follow Jewish Calendar and celebrate Holidays.
- Kabbalat Shabbat & Shabbat Services Attendance/Family Celebration.
- Shabbat Group Torah Study.
- Sunday Shacharit Minyan Attendance & Monday-Friday Twice Min Minyan Attendance.
- Mezuzot: on all outside doors/touching when coming in and out of the house.
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