I joined this forum five months ago by the name of John. I already introduced myself and I happily shared my story about my willingness to convert to Judaism. Last August, I chose the name of Jacob Asafu as my Jewish name. I can't say that my experience is successful as I have no Jewish community around. And I am still learning...
I enjoy reading your posts which make me get a sense of belonging to a Jewish community.
He will revive us from the two days, on the third day He will set us up, and we will live before Him.
Rashi's comments:
He will revive us from the two days: He will strengthen us from the two retributions which have passed over us from the two sanctuaries that were destroyed.
on the third day: With the construction of the third Temple, He will set us up.
from the two days: From the two times that have passed over us.
on the third day: In the third time.
I don't understand Rashi's comments.
What does Judaism teach about this verse?
Thank you.
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I am not sure if I had properly introduced myself in the old forums, but some might have read my "feeling drawn to Judaism" thread. And this is how I found that board. I searched for exactly that phrase, landed here and found some very helpful information as well as a very kind group of forum members.
I am not jewish but I feel drawn to Judaism. I was raised without a religious affiliation, but got insights into Christianity by various activities, school and and groups, but it never felt right for me and I opted out. The attraction towards Judaism has always been there, in the back of my mind, but since I (falsely) learned that you cannot convert to Judaism, I never thought about becoming jewish myself. I led a life without religion and just sometimes wondered if there are others where my belief system (in lack of a better word) might fit in. When I was travelling to Israel last September, I used the opportunity to learn more (or, better phrased, started learning) about the religion and culture. A lot of things klicked for me, there were many congruencies and I completely felt "at home" somehow.
Encouraged by the forum ( ) I started contacting different synagogues when I returned home and attended services at a reform one which welcomed me warmly. After that, I felt a bit overwhelmed and took some time for more or less quiet consideration if this path feels right. I read more. I am very thankful for the recommendations I got here - I enjoy reading "A code of jewish ethics" currently and it is definitely a wonderful book that impacts me profoundly. I attend political and cultural events and continue learning. The synagogue offered me to join their bi-weekly adult education sessions and I am looking forward to attending. Right now, I am struggling a bit to integrate the fixed dates into my somewhat packed work life and I honestly feel a bit worried that I might not be able to attend as regularly as I would like to. But I think that going whenever I can fit it in is better than not going at all.
So far, I feel that getting more and more acquainted with Judaism has become an integral part of my life. It really does not feel like a chore, on the contrary, it feels so important yet at the same time so enjoyable for me. No matter where this path leads to, I feel that this learning is worth it, even if I should end up not wishing to convert in the end.
So, that's my backstory.
Other than becoming religious, I currently enjoy learning Hebrew, am a hobbyist game-developer and like to make music and sound effects and draw/paint. I live with about 30 plants that I love and do travel by pet- and housesitting. I love reading and enjoy science, arts and the outdoors. I am working in research (Human Computer Interaction, focusing on eye tracking in VR) and have too many interests to fit into one life, but on the positive side, I never get bored. My main joy and ambition in life is to bring joy to others by creating, be it games, my lectures or music.
Aways back I was teaching an adult education class on living a Jewish life in the modern world. When I asked who would say they are a Jewish American, everyone raised their hands. When I asked who would say they are an American Jew, everyone raised their hands. When I asked those in attendance which they were, if they had to choose either or, there was some initial confusion as to the difference.
Once I explained how I was using the terms it lead to some interesting conversation.
I realize that we have folks from all around the globe who are... or will be.... members of the forum so feel free to substitute some other country, but here is the question.
I'm Dena. I was on the old forum and today realized we're now the new forum. I work very part-time as a teacher's assistant in elementary schools. I also volunteer as an advocate for kids in the foster care system. I'm obsessed with books and currently reading the Harry Potter series for the firs time. I like it! I usually have 2-3 books going at once. As for pets, we (my husband and I) currently have a hamster named Zehavah. She's adorable and spoiled.
I've been a member of the forum since it started, and in all it's re-incarnations since!
I'm retired and live on small acreage with three cats and five sheep.
I like to spend my time working around the house and property, as well as a lot of the time at the range
and involved in competitive handgun shooting.
Hopefully I will be able to start doing a lot of traveling soon....my first big trip will be going to China in April. After that, I'm open to suggestions!
Hi, Channalee here! My screen name is a pun on "Honnalee" from the '60s song "Puff the Magic Dragon." I kind of live in my own world (The Land of Channalee), doing my anagram thing with people's names. In addition to names and anagrams, I also like books, dogs (I have one), lovebirds (I have six), New York City, artichokes, swimming, dance, friends, life...
I recently read that Israel's national flower had been changed from the רקפת (rakefet/cyclamen) to the כלנית (kalanit/anemone). Here is the article in Hebrew: https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L...84,00.html
Question for Israeli citizens: Was there a lot of interest among Israelis for the vote for a national flower? I personally find it interesting, because I like flower gardens. It was fun to see what the popular flowers of Israel happen to be by reading about the runners-up in the National Flower competition.
Question for Hebrew speakers: I tried Google translate on the article, because I'm not exactly conversant in Hebrew. I found the Google translation to be a little unsatisfactory in regard to the flower names (and, of course, the Google translation didn't provide transliterations). So I decided to take a stab at it, myself. Can you please make any necessary corrections to the list below? Thanks!
COMPETITION FOR THE NATIONAL FLOWER OF ISRAEL
1st Place: כלנית kalanit (anemone)
2nd Place: רקפת rakefet (cyclamen)
3rd Place: ארגמן אירוס argaman iris (purple iris)
4th Place: חצב chatzav (squill)
5th Place: דם המכבים dam hamakabim ("blood of the Maccabees"/red everlasting)
6th Place: נרקיס narkis (daffodil)
7th Place: צחור שושן tzachor shoshan (white lily)
8th Place: חוף חבצלת chof chavatzelet (beach lily)
9th Place: הרים צבעוני harim tzivoni (mountains tulip)
10th Place: חורש אדמונית choresh admonit (wood peony)
I especially love how so many flower names in Hebrew also happen to be in use as Hebrew names for girls:
) I started contacting different synagogues when I returned home and attended services at a reform one which welcomed me warmly. After that, I felt a bit overwhelmed and took some time for more or less quiet consideration if this path feels right. I read more. I am very thankful for the recommendations I got here - I enjoy reading "A code of jewish ethics" currently and it is definitely a wonderful book that impacts me profoundly. I attend political and cultural events and continue learning. The synagogue offered me to join their bi-weekly adult education sessions and I am looking forward to attending. Right now, I am struggling a bit to integrate the fixed dates into my somewhat packed work life and I honestly feel a bit worried that I might not be able to attend as regularly as I would like to. But I think that going whenever I can fit it in is better than not going at all. 
