Image: Gabi and Jojo say, “Time to get up from the desk, Rabbi!”
Regular readers have noticed that I am posting less often. Some have pointed out typos and errors recently. I’m grateful for your readership, and appreciate the assistance in catching mistakes. Many of the mistakes recently have come from hastily written materials that I later edit on my cell phone, lying down.
The state of my body, especially sciatica which has become near-constant, means that I need to ration my time at the computer very carefully. I now prepare and teach two classes a week at the computer, including email support and a Facebook discussion group. I write divrei Torah regularly for the quarterly CCAR Newsletter.
I find that I have to cut back somewhere on the time I spend at my desk. I think this blog is the most responsible place to make one of those cuts.
I will continue to post occasionally and to develop entries that serve my original goal, which was to provide plainly worded brief explanations of Jewish life for those who need answers. Judging from the traffic from search engines of roughly 600 visits here per day, this blog will continue to serve the Jewish People by that means.
I won’t stop doing other posts entirely, but they will be less frequent. I hope you will understand.
I like that you are going to do what you need for your health, but I will miss the posts. I will watch for them and treasure each one that much more!
Thank you, drgwbrown! I look forward to reading your comments, as well!
Your posts have made a difference in my life as a Jew who is returning to the religion in a more serious way.
Your health is paramount and your archived material is a treasure trove for all of us who want to learn or reinforce what it means to be a Jew. Therefore, you are still a click away.
Thank you.
Thank you, Debra! It is such a pleasure to hear about your Jewish journey. Please do stay in touch.
I’ll miss your wisdom but your health is much more important. Your followers will be ready to read your new posts when you’re ready to post them. Stay safe and may God bless you.
Thank you! And I will keep on reading and enjoying your blog.
I appreciate all that you have given us…a wealth of posts already. I also appreciate the need to conserve resources. We’d rather have you in better health and happier with fewer posts. I applaud your willingness to take care of you. All blessings!
Thank you, Kaeli! Shabbat shalom!
I wish you r’fua shleima.
Todah rabbah, richardphart!
Best wishes for better and more comfortable days ahead, Rabbi Adar. I will miss your regular posts and hope you feel up to resuming them in the not-too-distant future, but absolutely you need to take care of yourself. Refuah shleimah!
Thank you, Patti!
Hope you feel better. Take care of yourself.
I always enjoy your posts but of course your health comes first. Take care of yourself and thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!
Do what you need to do to take care of yourself. We’ll understand and we’ll still be here! 😉 Rufuah Sh’leimah!
I will look forward to every post, whenever they come.
Your health comes first! We understand, and as someone with chronic pain I DEFINITELY understand! Pacing, breaks, self-care is so vital. Produce content on your body and brain’s own time, we’ll be here loving it regardless of when it’s posted!
Good for you for taking care of *you* and your health. Sending you warm, healing thoughts.
Shabbat shalom,
~ Jane.
I have severe chronic pain, too, with sciatica being one major part of the puzzle, so I understand what you need to do and why you need to do it. I will always pray for you, that your pain is as tolerable as possible (no mean feat, I know) and that you are always able to share your tremendous intellect with all of us as often as you are able. Your insights are invaluable, Rabbi Ruth; you have such a gift for enlightening us all.
Off-topic, I know, but I want you to know how deeply, DEEPLY grateful my family is to you for recommending the TravelScoot for my sister. It has been a *tremendous* LIFE-CHANGER! <3
Blessings to you, Rabbi. I have enjoyed reading your posts and the few times we have commented back and forth together. My prayers for you to find comfort in all the connections you have made and know that all of us who read your blog understand and will miss you.
I’m glad that you are taking care of your self, which can serve as yet another role model and inspiration for those who read your columns. When I began to study in seminary and people asked me what are you gonna do with your ordination?, I thought of you. That I would sit in a coffee shop and learn with whoever would come by. Did you actually do that? I still have that goal, and I will blog when I start doing it. But is far as I’m concerned you are the Coffee shop Rabbi.
Refuah shleyma bekarov!! Rabbi Shulamit
It takes tremendous energy, dtermination, and courage to power through pain. You give so generously. Please take care of you. Sending wishes for pain relief, healing, and love.
As someone who also struggles with chronic pain, I understand that you simply have no choice but to give up certain demands. Sending you love and hope for better days. And, for what it’s worth, I have learned much about Jewish traditions and faith through your blog.
Sometimes you just need to prioritize your health. Thank you for modeling something many of us find challenging. Ultimately, none of us can give from an empty basket.