Children of the Book

Looking at my Bookshelves I came to the realization that I need to make way for another floor to ceiling bookcase. I probably should make it two as I think with the "overflow" I can fill at least half a case right off the bat.

I do an aggressive amount of reading each day. Chassidus in the morning before I daven, then Talmud/Torah after the kids are in Bed. Most nights I'm up until 12:30-1:00am

Talmud Artsrcoll Schottenstein edition (Currently working through tractate Yevamos). I have been studying the Talmud daily as part of the Daf Yomi cycle. Though this cycle, we read a page a day. At that rate, we complete the entire work in 7.5 years. I have 2.5 years under my belt now. As a spend a good 45minutes to an hour on the page. I would say that this is my central area of Study. Keep in mind, at an hour a page, I am really only scratching the surface of the page. As a way of "keeping notes", I am currently trying to blog about interesting concepts I find in my Talmud reading at Gemaragems. I actually just started that with Tractate Chagigah.


Tanya - By Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi. This is the central work in regards to Chabad Chassidus / Philosophy. The daily study cycle that I
follow completes the work in a Year. I have been though this work twice, and am currently in the middle of my third cycle.

Chumash with Rashi. Each day I read though an Aliyah of the weekly Parsha. Once using the Gutnick Chumash, then with Rashi's commentary.

Daily Dose of Torah By Artscroll. Each day's learning program includes: A Torah Thought for the Day. Mishnah of the Day. Gems from the Gemara. A Mussar Thought for the Day. Halachah of the Day. A Closer Look at the Siddur. Question for the Day . Taste of Lomdus (once a week). To tell you the truth, I am not totally thrilled with this work. It's sort of hit or miss each day, as some are much better then others. I will complete the series for the year, but it will mostly likely be a one an done. I think after I complete this work I will substituted the time I allot for this with Rambam's Mishnah Torah next year.

Tehillim (Psalms) - I read the Tehillim for the day after Shacharit(morning) davening. Typically between 5-10 chapters. At this pace, I work though the Book of Tehillim once a Month.

HaYom Yom - Read the daily paragraph as after reading Tehillim in the morning. This work was compiled by the Lubvatich Rebbe

The above it what I study faithfully each day. When I have the time, I am currently working my way through the below works. The pace I am going
thorough these works are a bit slower, So I might not read from these works everyday, but a least a few times a week.

Gates of Repentance (Sha'arei Teshuvah) By Rabbeinu Yonah of Gerona - This is the classic work on repentance and religious conduct. For anyone seeking the true path to repentance and reconnection with G-d, this incisive guide is essential.

Rebbe Nachman's Tikkun - This is book is based on the work of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov and his teachings as a "General Remedy" for spiritual correction. This general rectification can override the spiritual harm caused by many sins, or one sin whose ramifications are many. Rebbe Nachman revealed that ten specific Psalms, recited in this order: Psalms 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, and 150.


Mishnah Rabba: Book of Ruth. Just got this book yesterday! My hopes is that I will complete this work through Shavuot. With the 2 day Yom Tov and "Shavuot all nighter", I think this will be possible.


Listed under the category of working through at a snails pace (at the Moment)

Mishnah Torah - The Classic Work of the Rambam. Currently I have 11 of the 28 volumes available. As I said above, I'm hoping to step up the pace on this work more and bring it into my daily study. Perhaps at the 3 year cycle pace, Don't think I have the time to devote to the 1 year cycle.

Metsudah Midrash Tanchuma - This landmark translation, of Midrash Tanchuma on the Chumash, (attributed to Rabbi Tanchuma bar Abba Circa 370 CE)

Likutey Mohran - The Collected Teachings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

I guess that about does it for now... As I said, I've been keeping the pace for about 2.5 years now. Can't tell you what is going on in "Lost" or "Heroes", but I can give you a complete run down of where we are holding in the Gemara or Torah :-)

Count up to Shavuot

With Shavuot a little more then a week away, I was invited to stay at my Rabbi's house for the Holiday. Normally I would be very appreciative and jump at accepting the offer, however this Shavuot marks my 20th Wedding anniversary. I haven't discussed this with my wife yet, but I kind of feel awkward being away from my wife on our 20th Anniversary. The little voice inside me is currently battling with my Pintele Yid (That little spark of yiddishkeit that is found in ever Jewish soul.) Right now they are battling over "doing the right thing". More accurately fighting over what exactly is the "right thing."

Do I stay home and Daven? OR
Stay with the Rabbi so I can walk to Shul?

I guess the obvious answer is not an option at all. My wife has "a thing" for sleeping over other people's houses that are not close relatives. So she wouldn't be up for joining me. Although my 8year old LOVES to stay at our Rabbi's house when we do regularly for Shabbat.

So... what to do... what to do....

Of course my Rabbi had an answer. (of Course! He's a Rabbi!) He suggested that we celebrate our Anniversary on the Hebrew date (which we should be doing anyway - I do for my Birthday, my wife still holds to her secular date). OK, that's even worse because our Anniversary would have been two days ago by the Hebrew calendar. His answer to that was a belated Anniversary card and a trip to www.ice.com. Yeah, I don't think that will work either.

So stay tuned as my Conscience battles it out with my Pinetele Yid to see how this turns out. On the one hand, I know my soul needs to be in Shul Davening with a Minyan. Davening at home (Which living out in the fringes of Galut I'm force to do many a Shabbat) doesn't really cut it for a Yom Tov. But on the other hand... It's the BIG 20. Then again, on the other hand... There is no other hand... IT'S SHAVUOT.. MATTAN TORAH!!!

Of course if I don't get healthy I'm not going anywhere. Been sick for almost a week now, and now both my 21month old and my 8 year old are under the weather. Argh...