Beautiful. So glad to hear from you again. Your videos have been such a comfort to me. I revisit them again and again, because as a convert they continue to inspire me. I love seeing updates from you. Cry away! It’s a hard time, cry as much as you need! Your authenticity is beautiful.
I'm balaat teshuva myself, so when you talk about needing to feel like you're doing everything right, I totally understand what you mean. I was reading an old interview with Mayim Bialik earlier this week, and she said something that I have found really really helpful on this topic - I hope you find it helpful as well. She was talking about her own journey back to observance, and she said that it's important to remember that each mitzvah is independent. If you aren't able to fully observe Shabbat, you should still light the candles, because the mitzvah of lighting candles is independent from the other Shabbat commandments. If your food isn't kosher, you can still say a bracha over it. Just do every mitzvah that you can, and work on improving. In all honesty, nearly every single Jew in the world could say "I will commit to becoming more observant", because almost nobody is fully observant, you know? Working on ourselves and the world around us is what we're here to do. If we were already perfected, we wouldn't need to live this life at all! God takes joy in each step we take toward kedoshim, so the further you have to go, the more joy you can bring to the Divine.
@@vanessaredmond5767 I also take comfort from thinking about how many of God's favored people were tremendously flawed. King David arranged for a man's death so that he could marry the man's widow. Solomon let his foreign wives set up idols to foreign gods in his home. But that didn't stop God from giving these men honors or using them to increase the devotion of Israelites to HaShem. God loves us as we are, flaws included. God could change our flaws, but doesn't, because we're still loved regardless. If we choose to change our flaws for God's sake, then we bring joy to God, but it doesn't change God's love.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart, Meorah! I can relate to so many things you said! And what you are learning was very encouraging to hear. I am not able to come live in Eretz Israel yet, but some day! I did (Baruch Hashem) complete my conversion after the war began. In fact, rather than hinder me, it made me want to be a Jew even MORE. What an honor it is! ~Neriyah
I really feel like you and I would be best friends haha. I relate to everything about the tension between asceticism and enjoying the physical world. I’m also a ger (soon to be finished with an orthodox conversion after doing a conservative one) and have been thinking a lot about Aliyah over the last two years. I appreciate what you do choose to share. It’s true that people over share, but I have always found your content to be well curated and always interesting!
When you said that "we are waiting for you all to get here" my soul resounded and I wept. I have been to Israel twice, once in 2016 and then in 2017 and when I go to Israel for the third time it will be the final time to make aliyah. HaShem promised that He would bring ALL of Am Israel back to Eretz Israel at the end of days, from the far corners of the earth. You and I are both of Korean ancestry and you being in Yerushalayim now at this crucial time is a living testament to that promise being fulfilled. I pray that HaShem brings ALL of the exiles back soon, be they Jews, converts, or people who are of the Ten lost Tribes. Please make as many videos as you can! There are so few Korean converts to Judaism now and HaShem needs you to be the leader that you are, not only to fulfill your own personal mission of spiritual growth and being closer to HaShem with every passing day, but also to be a beacon of light to all converts, especially Koreans, who are new to the faith. Every time you talk about spiritual matters, about what you have learned from the shiurim and classes, it feeds our souls. You are not (yet) a rabbi per se, but you are definitely a spiritual light to so many. We love to hear you talk about how thankful you are to HaShem for everything, how HaShem is everything. I pray that HaShem continues to bless you and keep you and all of Am Israel strong and safe. I pray that Moshiach ben David comes soon, and that ALL of Am Israel comes to Eretz Israel soon. Hang in there, Meorah, we are all on our way as HaShem allows each of us to make aliyah at the pace and time that He allows. Ever since Oct. 7th, I have been eating food mindful of the captives held by Hamas in Gaza. I think about what they are eating, how often, etc. Prior to Oct. 7th I used to eat beef or chicken daily, drink beer, wine, coffee and tea, and just eat however I wanted to; after Oct. 7th, I started to eat vegetarian and stopped drinking coffee and alcohol, and started to eat food as fuel, stopped eating out, stopped eating junk food and chocolate, stopped eating pastries...the money I saved from eating less I have given to my de facto Rabbi, Tovia Singer, who led me out of christianity, to noahidism, and now to the path towards formal conversion to Orthodox Judaism. When I make aliyah and get to Yerushalayim, I will start to eat "normally" but until then, and especially until all of the captives are released, I will remain eating for survival and health. Take care, Meorah, and we all look forward to your next video. Tell us about what you are learning from the shiurim, classes, from shul and from life in general. Tell us about HaShem. Chag Sameach!
I'm so happy that you are ok. I add you to my davening, and I was praying that everything was ok. I have a quote from Gedalia Fenster in my fridge. It says, "Hashem created the world with lack, so we can complete it with Emunah " It's ok to struggle because Hashem wants a conversation. You're doing great. Please stay safe. ❤
Shalom Meorah! Been watching your videos off and on the past several years. I've been on a similar path as you have (having been a 'wandering Jew' for awhile desiring conversion but haven't completed formal conversion yet, in my case). I'm glad you are doing ok and are safe. Take care of yourself and continue to keep mitzvot. I'm very proud of you for undergoing a formal conversion to Judaism. Keep up the good work. Shalom.
Feels like an opportunity, if you are looking for one...kosher pad thai - I bet that would be a big deal in Jerusalem, especially with your marketing skills.
@@End_Zionism hahah this is the best you can do? Going after someone's weight? You are pathetic. But all comments only help her algorithm so I'm sure she appreciates your support :)
Beautiful. So glad to hear from you again. Your videos have been such a comfort to me. I revisit them again and again, because as a convert they continue to inspire me. I love seeing updates from you. Cry away! It’s a hard time, cry as much as you need! Your authenticity is beautiful.
I'm balaat teshuva myself, so when you talk about needing to feel like you're doing everything right, I totally understand what you mean. I was reading an old interview with Mayim Bialik earlier this week, and she said something that I have found really really helpful on this topic - I hope you find it helpful as well.
She was talking about her own journey back to observance, and she said that it's important to remember that each mitzvah is independent. If you aren't able to fully observe Shabbat, you should still light the candles, because the mitzvah of lighting candles is independent from the other Shabbat commandments. If your food isn't kosher, you can still say a bracha over it. Just do every mitzvah that you can, and work on improving. In all honesty, nearly every single Jew in the world could say "I will commit to becoming more observant", because almost nobody is fully observant, you know?
Working on ourselves and the world around us is what we're here to do. If we were already perfected, we wouldn't need to live this life at all! God takes joy in each step we take toward kedoshim, so the further you have to go, the more joy you can bring to the Divine.
This is so helpful. Thank you so much for this!
@@vanessaredmond5767 I also take comfort from thinking about how many of God's favored people were tremendously flawed. King David arranged for a man's death so that he could marry the man's widow. Solomon let his foreign wives set up idols to foreign gods in his home. But that didn't stop God from giving these men honors or using them to increase the devotion of Israelites to HaShem.
God loves us as we are, flaws included. God could change our flaws, but doesn't, because we're still loved regardless. If we choose to change our flaws for God's sake, then we bring joy to God, but it doesn't change God's love.
Awesome words very encouraging
Great video thank you !! Stay safe have a happy hanukkah !
Thank you so much for sharing your heart, Meorah! I can relate to so many things you said! And what you are learning was very encouraging to hear. I am not able to come live in Eretz Israel yet, but some day! I did (Baruch Hashem) complete my conversion after the war began. In fact, rather than hinder me, it made me want to be a Jew even MORE. What an honor it is! ~Neriyah
I really feel like you and I would be best friends haha. I relate to everything about the tension between asceticism and enjoying the physical world. I’m also a ger (soon to be finished with an orthodox conversion after doing a conservative one) and have been thinking a lot about Aliyah over the last two years. I appreciate what you do choose to share. It’s true that people over share, but I have always found your content to be well curated and always interesting!
It's always good to hear from you!
By the way, what are your thoughts on female rabbis and would you ever become one?
When you said that "we are waiting for you all to get here" my soul resounded and I wept. I have been to Israel twice, once in 2016 and then in 2017 and when I go to Israel for the third time it will be the final time to make aliyah.
HaShem promised that He would bring ALL of Am Israel back to Eretz Israel at the end of days, from the far corners of the earth. You and I are both of Korean ancestry and you being in Yerushalayim now at this crucial time is a living testament to that promise being fulfilled. I pray that HaShem brings ALL of the exiles back soon, be they Jews, converts, or people who are of the Ten lost Tribes.
Please make as many videos as you can! There are so few Korean converts to Judaism now and HaShem needs you to be the leader that you are, not only to fulfill your own personal mission of spiritual growth and being closer to HaShem with every passing day, but also to be a beacon of light to all converts, especially Koreans, who are new to the faith.
Every time you talk about spiritual matters, about what you have learned from the shiurim and classes, it feeds our souls. You are not (yet) a rabbi per se, but you are definitely a spiritual light to so many. We love to hear you talk about how thankful you are to HaShem for everything, how HaShem is everything.
I pray that HaShem continues to bless you and keep you and all of Am Israel strong and safe. I pray that Moshiach ben David comes soon, and that ALL of Am Israel comes to Eretz Israel soon. Hang in there, Meorah, we are all on our way as HaShem allows each of us to make aliyah at the pace and time that He allows.
Ever since Oct. 7th, I have been eating food mindful of the captives held by Hamas in Gaza. I think about what they are eating, how often, etc. Prior to Oct. 7th I used to eat beef or chicken daily, drink beer, wine, coffee and tea, and just eat however I wanted to; after Oct. 7th, I started to eat vegetarian and stopped drinking coffee and alcohol, and started to eat food as fuel, stopped eating out, stopped eating junk food and chocolate, stopped eating pastries...the money I saved from eating less I have given to my de facto Rabbi, Tovia Singer, who led me out of christianity, to noahidism, and now to the path towards formal conversion to Orthodox Judaism. When I make aliyah and get to Yerushalayim, I will start to eat "normally" but until then, and especially until all of the captives are released, I will remain eating for survival and health.
Take care, Meorah, and we all look forward to your next video. Tell us about what you are learning from the shiurim, classes, from shul and from life in general. Tell us about HaShem. Chag Sameach!
I'm so happy that you are ok. I add you to my davening, and I was praying that everything was ok. I have a quote from Gedalia Fenster in my fridge. It says, "Hashem created the world with lack, so we can complete it with Emunah " It's ok to struggle because Hashem wants a conversation. You're doing great. Please stay safe. ❤
A beautiful video! A tour of a fantastic city! Baruch HaShem!
Shalom Meorah! Been watching your videos off and on the past several years. I've been on a similar path as you have (having been a 'wandering Jew' for awhile desiring conversion but haven't completed formal conversion yet, in my case). I'm glad you are doing ok and are safe. Take care of yourself and continue to keep mitzvot. I'm very proud of you for undergoing a formal conversion to Judaism. Keep up the good work. Shalom.
love ya
Srirachia in pad Thai??? Blasphemy!!!! 😮
That’s sad you can’t get decent PT in Israel. 😔
Hanukkah Sameach! Stay safe.
😂 still on the hunt!
Feels like an opportunity, if you are looking for one...kosher pad thai - I bet that would be a big deal in Jerusalem, especially with your marketing skills.
@@End_Zionism hahah this is the best you can do? Going after someone's weight? You are pathetic. But all comments only help her algorithm so I'm sure she appreciates your support :)
I sent you an email🙂