Purim for Dummies
Response #1
R1 (11:34:55 PM): PURIM!
R1 (11:35:31 PM): a jewish holiday
R1 (11:35:32 PM): One popular custom at Purim is mishloach manot, which means "sending of gifts" in Hebrew, and matanot la-evyonim, "gifts for the poor." By sending gifts and inviting people to our festive Purim meal, we share our joy with them. If you have close Jewish friends, you might want to consider sending them a fruit basket at Purim. This may give you an opportunity to tell them that you appreciate their Jewishness because your own Messiah is Jewish!
R1 (11:36:11 PM): Purim, celebrated on March 11-12 this year, is one of the most joyous of all Jewish holidays. In Hebrew, "Purim" means "lots," because of the lots cast by Haman: ". . . because Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to annihilate them, and had cast Pur (that is, the lot), to consume them and destroy them" (Esther 9:24).Purim commemorates God's miraculous delivery of His people from destruction by the evil Haman.
R1 (11:36:24 PM): there you go
R1 (11:36:25 PM): ;-)
R1 (11:36:33 PM): you know how i love jews
Response #2
R2 (12:55:43 AM): purim is some jewfest where we all get drunk and one of the things you do is drive baskets of stuff around to your neighbors and friends
Response #3
R3 (1:51:58 AM): haha, if you want i'll give you a crash course of purim at some point during the weekend. Think of it as the Jewish Halloween ;-)
Happy Purim
Yes, Happy Purim indeed!
Upon returning home today, I was greeted by a festive looking glass on my porch with some kind of bread, treats, jelly beans, and confetti stuff. A note across the top read,
'Happy Purim from the Barrocas family!
p.s. The challah is made in fleishig keilim'
I don't know what those things are, or who that family is... but I whole heartedly approve. The little children of the neighborhood are all dressed up today. I saw a girl in a princess dress before I left this morning, but I think I was so grumbley that I didn't even take the time to think 'gee, that's odd.' I've never seen the Hasidic Jews wear bright colors before, so this must be a momentous occassion. Wikipedia says,
Purim (Hebrew: פורים Pûrîm "Lots", from Akkadian pūru)
is a joyous Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of Persian Jews from the plot of the evil Haman to exterminate them, as recorded in the biblical Book of Esther. It is characterized by drinking of wine, feasting, wearing of masks and costumes, giving charity to the poor, and giving gifts of food to one's friends.
The Book of Esther prescribes "the sending of portions one to another, and gifts to the poor". Over time, this became one of the most prominent features of the celebration of Purim. Jews send gifts of food (called "mishloach manot"), especially wine and pastries, to one another, and Jews give charity to the poor. In the synagogue, regular collections are made on the festival and the money is distributed among the needy. No distinction was to be made among the poor; anyone who was willing to accept charity is allowed to participate. It is obligatory upon the poorest Jew, even one who is himself dependent on charity, to give to other poor people.
Maybe they think I'm poor... I guess the outside of the house is a little beat up. There was some crap on the deck and I couldn't figure out what it was. Of course, my first thought was that it was something poisonous or explosive. Upon closer examination, it's either pieces of my roof or my neighbor's roof. Neither would surprise me.
There was a time in my life when I really wanted to be Jewish. I know this sounds ridiculous, and probably even bordering on totally offensive for any Jews reading this (considering my reasoning for wanting to be Jewish was really the cultural draw rather than anything having to do with God). In fact, I even tricked myself into believing that I was half Jewish for a few months of my life. My best friend at the time was Jewish, and she always invited me over for the celebrations... leaving wine out for Elijah (I believe it was Elijah... because he was supposed to be out wandering around, please don't hold me to the factuality of this), building the Passover Seder, making chocolate covered matzah, fried matzah, dancing and singing (although I never knew the words), etc.
It really seemed great. Why wouldn't it? It sure beat what was going on in my house (ie nothing). Even if we had been a church-going family I am sure that I would have resisted it. Again, this clearly had nothing to do with religion.
Yet, it is probably true that I spent more time with Judaism growing up than any other religion...
So, thanks for the challah. Happy Purim to you, too.
Mammals Cope with and Release their Stress in a Variety of Ways
From: [omitted] <[omitted]@gmail.com>
To: jane.w.sun@[omitted].com
Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: Business Paradigm A2
Dear Ms. Sun,
During the last few weeks, I have deigned to keep you apprised of the current problem within my company. Though we have tried a seemingly exhaustive list of options to remedy this recent setback, we have had no luck in absolving ourselves from the dilemma with Business Paradigm A2.
I am writing to request your aid in our situation. Please review your notes concerning paradigm A2, and let me know if you see something that we may have missed.
Thank you again for your support.
Cheers,
Randolph Huntsman, IV
rhuntsman@exceltoday.com
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From: jane.w.sun@[omitted].com
To: [omitted]@gmail.com
Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:25 PM
Subject: RE: Business Paradigm A2
wtf?
-----------------------------
From: [omitted] <[omitted]@gmail.com>
To: jane.w.sun@[omitted].com
Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:28 PM
Subject: Re: Business Paradigm A2
Thank you for your swift response.
If I was at all unclear, again I request that you review your notes on business paradigm A2 before the close of this work day. My associates are waiting on your move.
Best.
----------------------------
From: jane.w.sun@[omitted].com
To: [omitted]@gmail.com
Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:29 PM
Subject: RE: Business Paradigm A2
is this a virus? cuz i will slice you
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From: [omitted] <[omitted]@gmail.com>
To: jane.w.sun@[omitted].com
Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:34 PM
Subject: Re: Business Paradigm A2
Ms. Sun, you are truly a gem for your quick and timely responses.
However, no virus is included. Sorry to disappoint! Pursuant to our earlier conversations, all I am requesting is a quick review of your notes regarding the business paradigm A2. My company is experiencing some difficulty in applying it, and since you have assisted us with expert consulting advice previously, I was hoping that you would be up to the challenge again!
I am leaving the office at 5 p.m. It would be great if you could have the memo ready by then.
Yours.
----------------------------
From: jane.w.sun@[omitted].com
To: [omitted]@gmail.com
Date: Mar 13, 2006 3:34 PM
Subject: RE: Business Paradigm A2
F U!
When it Stops Being Funny
I see there is much to look forward to
Law student stress and depression are problems that have become national in scope. While students enter law school suffering from clinical stress and depression at a rate that mirrors the national average, this number skyrockets during the first year of law school. Studies have shown that law students suffer from clinical stress and depression at a rate that is three to four times higher than the national average.
These same studies indicate that student stress rises steadily through the third year of law school and then improves only moderately after graduation. At this point, law students show signs of stress that is twice the national average. Unfortunately, this sad story continues after law school. Lawyers are more likely to suffer from clinical depression, marital difficulties, and substance abuse than are any other professionals.
Gender and Law
...[W]omen respond less favorably to the Socratic method, they ask fewer questions in and outside of class and seek less advice from faculty, law school is less supportive of women's career goals, and women are more likely to become depressed during law school.
That's nice... I'm not just going crazy
Lawyers are more unhappy than physicians (many of whom are frustrated with managed care and the HMO squeeze), or teachers (who are dismayed with tyrannical administrators and demands for frequent high-stakes testing). Law students are unhappy, too. Not that they are naturally so. Before entering law school, law students do not exhibit above-average incidence of depression, suicidal thoughts, and dreams of dropping out; for many, these symptoms set in during their early months in law school and seldom disappear. What’s more, lawyers in small firms and public interest agencies seem only slightly less dissatisfied than the high-pressured worker bees in 500-lawyer megafirms.
