Tikkun Olam

I know, I know--the weekend had to end sometime. We extended it to this morning, but the jig was up: after having breakfast in the cabin, we packed up our stuff, loaded up the car, checked to make sure we had everything, threw out our trash, and for the last time, locked up the little cabin with the loft (called "The Getaway" - each cabin had a name), and left for the main lodge to say our goodbyes to our friend, the owner. Here are some photos which I just uploaded to show you our cute little "Getaway" cabin (I must say that after living in that cabin for over three days and then returning to our townhome, it seemed mamash like a palace: huge, beautiful, and the downstairs bathroom even has a sink in it!) On the left, the famous loft and ladder leading up to it. Looks easier than it is (rule #1: as in the army, you first have to be able to haul your own weight ...) On right, is the "living room" which consisted of the futon, two folding chairs, and a...

I wrote erev Shabbat (Friday, the 'eve' of Shabbat) briefly about the Shabbaton "weekend getaway" that we were going to in the woods of the southern end of the R---- mountains, and because of Nablopomo ( darn that Nablopomo!) I must write now, motzei Shabbat (Saturday night). The following is a short primer for those unfamiliar with our Sabbath laws, to explain why I don't blog on Shabbat. On the Sabbath ("Shabbat" in Hebrew), we are not permitted to do any work or conduct any business, among other proscriptions, such as not cooking, setting or changing settings of electrical appliances or using anything electric, except, for example, electric lights which were set before Shabbat, which we are allowed to benefit from (but not adjust) during this Holy day. Shabbat is Holy, and dedicated to strengthening the connection between man and G-d. We are in effect, 'emulating' Ribono shel Olam (the Ruler of the Universe) in resting on the seventh day, j...