Jewish Shadowhunters

A blog dedicated to Jewish representation on Shadowhunters TV We track #jshblog and #jshedit

[realsadjewishhours]

Do not forget, Nittel Nacht. A holiday we turned into a Chinese Food, and Fun is drenched in our blood.

Do y’all celebrate Nittel Nacht, (obviously with a less depressing twist on it)?

[enkelimagnus]

Maia - Innocent

Ficlet #2 of the Ten Days of Atonement ficlet compilation

For @jewishshadowhunters‘ High Holy Days Challenge

Inspired by Simon’s apology, Maia finds Clary and apologizes.

Read on AO3

“And with that, the New York Downworld Cabinet is adjourned,” Isabelle Lightwood said firmly, closing the small leather black folder that was in front of her.

Maia sighed a little, and turned her head around slightly, shifting to stretch her neck.

The Downworld Cabinets were maybe one of the things she liked the least about being Alpha. She was much more into the moments where she could be with her people, her pack, dealing with every day problem, and leading them.

But diplomacy was important, and she wouldn’t let the pack’s relationship with the Clave wither because she didn’t really like attending the meetings.

The Cabinet had changed since its beginning. Instead of Alec Lightwood, Magnus Bane, Luke Garroway, Meliorn and Raphael Santiago, the people that were now standing up from their seats and gathering their things, chatting lightly or staying silent, were Isabelle Lightwood, Lorenzo Rey, Maia herself, a Seelie named Isherai, and Lily Chen.

Maia liked the new line-up. She wasn’t a fan of Lorenzo Rey, and Isabelle and her were… working? Maia wasn’t really friends with her and she guessed she wouldn’t ever be.

She licked her lips and grabbed her files, putting them in her bag and walking out of the meeting room.

Her latest meet-up with Simon, where he had apologized, had made her think about her life and what she had to do. And it had made her think that she’d never apologized to Clary about almost killing her.

For long, she’d thought that she had nothing to apologize for. She had made the decision she’d thought best for her pack, and that was it, nothing else. Now that she was Alpha though, she understood that it was a little more complicated than that.

Yes, she’d maybe had it right when it came to protecting her Pack, but murdering someone because they might cause a threat wasn’t the right thing to do, in any situation.

Maia stopped one of the Shadowhunters that were walking through the corridors to ask where Clary was. They answered she was in the war room, with a weird tone and a disdainful expression. Anti-werewolf sentiment didn’t disappear that easily.

She found the red-haired woman standing next to a prep station, going over some stuff written on the table in front of her. Her hair was held back, and she wore the typical Shadowhunter gear.

“Hey, Clary,” Maia said, and she turned to her.

“Maia,” Clary smiled and nodded. “Long time.”

“Definitely.”

Keep reading

[shadowhunterbingo]

Welcome to Shadowhunter Bingo!

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Sign Ups close December 15th.

Remake requests close January 15th. 

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SUGGESTED POSTING FORMAT:

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Created for @shadowhunterbingo

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[jewish-education]

Why the High Holy Days can be difficult for people with trauma

This is from my understanding as a layperson (not a rabbi or a mental health professional) based on knowing people. For context, it was inspired by this lovely post that all y’all should read if you are or know someone healing from trauma. Feel free to add to or critique what I say here.

1.) Memory is painful:

This is a season of remembrance and reflection, and for folks who have experienced a trauma, memory can be painful. Thinking about the past or even just being exposed to a tiny trigger of a situation (i.e. scent of an abuser’s cologne) can set an anxiety attack or flashback into motion.

2.) Feelings of guilt over the trauma: 

A lot of folks who’ve experienced trauma, especially interpersonal (i.e. rape, abusive relationship) get blamed for the event(s) even though it wasn’t their fault. When we talk about taking responsibility for our actions in this season, it can be tough for this lingering doubt of responsibility not to resurface. 

3.) What doesn’t kill you doesn’t make you stronger:

The effects of trauma can stop someone from being the person they’d like to be. Maybe they have become emotionally distant so they can’t be as supportive of friends and loved ones as they’d like to be. Or perhaps they’ve become more snappy, or lash out at others when they’re upset. In that case, they do need to work on these issues, but it’s more complex of a process than conversations about teshuva typically acknowledge. 

Because pain from the trauma is the cause of their chet (sin/misstep), healing from the trauma and finding healthier ways to cope are what will make them a better person, not blood, sweat and tears of trying to forge through and just “be better.” Their teshuva must include patience and come from a place of self-compassion over self-blame. This perspective can be beneficial for everyone but is especially necessary in their cases.

Resources for those who have experienced trauma and for understanding your loved one who’s experienced trauma:

Basics of trauma and PTSD (My Jewish Learning)

Advice for people with trauma or PTSD; Advice for how to help a loved one with trauma or PTSD (My Jewish Learning)

Reform Perspective on Mental Illness and Yom Kippur (Coffee Shop Rabbi) Also see her Teshuva 101

Chabad/Orthodox: A Torah Approach to Anxiety (Chabad’s The Jewish Woman)

[stilessderek]

Shadowhunters Episodes: 2x12 [You Are Not Your Own] ↳“I know it sounds crazy, but I’m not Valentine. I am Magnus. Azazel switched us with a curse, Unum ad Unum.””

[stilessderek]

Shadowhunters Episodes: 2x11 [Mea Maxima Culpa] ↳“I call upon the power of the Pentagram. Azazel, I summon thee. From within our realm, into this mystical confinement, I summon thee. You seek the Mortal Cup. We seek the return of our friend. For this exchange, I summon thee.”

[fox-teeth]

Shana tova u’metuka / Good and sweet new year this Rosh Hashanah

(I recently learned griffins were of great symbolic importance to medieval German Jews and I want to bring them back)

[vicholas]

[jewishaesthetics]

[enkelimagnus]

Simon - Remember Who You Are

Ficlet #1 of the Ten Days of Atonement ficlet compilation

For @jewishshadowhunters‘ High Holy Days Challenge

Simon atones for wronging Maia

Read on AO3

Taki’s Dinner was full of customers when Simon walked in that morning. It had been open for over a year now, and it was proving to be the perfect Shadow World gathering place that Maia had originally wanted to build. Simon was proud of her, without a doubt.

He didn’t come to eat though, he came for a much more difficult exercise. Atoning, and asking for forgiveness.

It was time for the High Holy Days again, and it was time for Simon to do what he needed to do, and atone. He had been a self-righteous jerk, and he’d been mistaken.

He didn’t know exactly why he’d been so quick to side against her. Maybe it was the flirting situation he’d had going on with Izzy, that had pushed him to side with the Clave over Maia. Maybe it had been guilt, guilt over the hurt he’d caused, guilt and shame over his own actions that had pushed him to shame and guilt Maia for her own.

She stood behind the counter, next to the door to the kitchen. She had that little pout, the one that meant she was focused on numbers and calculations and work. She’d gotten her degree recently. Simon was proud of her.

“Hey,” he spoke out, and she looked up. Her focused pout turned into a relaxed smile.

“Well isn’t that our resident graphic novel author. We have a celebrity amongst us.”

Simon waved the compliment off lightly. “Oh please, I’m only there as Simon Lewis, no need to unfurl the red carpet.”

Maia chuckled and leaned against the counter, crossing her arms. “So what brings you here? O neg?” She asked.

Simon shook his head. “No, no, actually. I’m here to talk to you. Is there somewhere we can talk alone?”

Maia raised an eyebrow, her face getting more serious. She nodded and guided him into the kitchen, crossing it from the side and into a back room. Simon remembered this place. He’d been held upside down in there.

The door closed behind them and Maia turned to him. “What’s going on?”

Keep reading

[realsadjewishhours]

The chipping episode made me so mad cause Alberto rosend gave an amazing performance as Simon as he explained to his girlfriend/best friend who happened to be one of the shadowhunters who felt like they needed to do the chipping and he literally calmly but full of emotion explains the snowball effect of the identification of Jewish people as Jewish and how he'd never volunteer to be identified cause it would spit in his grandmothers face and I'm like HOW DOES ANYONE MISS THE POINT THIS HARD

Now I’m going to be honest I haven’t actually watched an episode of Shadowhunters and I only just realized why so many of my mutuals were/are obsessed with it like… right when you said Simon was Jewish. But uh yeah can’t imagine hearing how someone’s relative is a Holocaust survivor and they just can’t do it because it’s traumatizing and like, “oh, Oh. Wow. That’s so….. that’s so…. fucking gay.”

You have to be TRYING to miss the point for you to fuck it up an analysis that bad.

[yidquotes]

The High Holy Days are meant to remind us of our mortality. Our prayers remind us that we are finite beings who are only on this earth a short while. In ten short days it will be Yom Kippur, a holiday that is meant to rehearse our death. We wear white shrouds and starve our bodies to remember that our time here is limited. But while we hold our fleeting vitality in one hand, we hold a powerful truth in the other: our existence matters and our reach is long. Our image may not endure but our influence surely will.

I’ve always loved the story of Honi, who one day, while walking down the street noticed an old man planting a carob tree. Knowing that it took seventy years for the tree to bear fruit, he chided the man, “Why would you plant a tree from which you will never eat?” The man smiled and replied with confidence, “My ancestors (whose names I do not know) planted trees for me, so I will plant them for my grandchildren.”

Walk through life dropping seeds. Plant your compassion here, your love there. Nurture your soil with dignity and decency. Cultivate your future by living in the moment. Years later, someone will walk into your garden, surrounded by the flowers of deeds long forgotten and they will wonder aloud and ask “who brought such beauty to the world?” - Rabbi Marc Katz

[saltytransidiot]

Self Reflection

I’ve written a ficlet for @jewishshadowhunters High Holy Day Challenge, featuring Jewish Clary, Maia and (of course) Simon! 

Summary: Clary gets ready for the day and for the upcoming High Holy Days. 

Go read it on AO3!

[fairfieldfarmer]

[jewish-kulindadromeus]

So You Want to Fast

This post is for people who are Jewish, converting to Jewish, seriously interested in Jewish conversion, or are Jewish-Adjacent (part of an interfaith family, etc.), however, the guide of fasting (in the general, not Jewish-specific bits) can apply to people of other faiths who fast for their faith. 

Fasting is not, generally, seen as something to be done if you are in danger of harming your health - including by triggering an eating disorder. There are mild caveats to this depending on the situation but, if you could be triggered, please stop reading this post. You can press “j” on mobile to skip past it. 

Gentiles can reblog!!

Yom Kippur is fast approaching, and Tzom Gedalia is tomorrow (whoops). You might be thinking about fasting. So let’s talk about it. 

Educate Yourself on Why Jewish People Fast 

Jewish People fast for a variety of religious reasons; some personal, some public, some historical. 

A Jewish fast always includes not eating or drinking, not even water. (Note: There are a lot of stipulations regarding the health of an individual. Those will be covered in the next section. As such, what I describe in this section is restricted to those who are able to observe full fasts). 

There are two Major Fasts in Jewish tradition. These fasts go for about twenty five hours - from sunset on one day, to darkness the next night. 

The only fast commanded of the Jewish people in the Torah is one of these - the fast of Yom Kippur 

The fast of Tisha B’Av, commemorating the destruction of both Temples & the suffering of the Jewish people throughout history, is the other 

In addition to prohibiting food and drink, full fasts also prohibit washing oneself, wearing leather shoes, using nice smelling things (like oils, cologne, perfume), and having sex 

Yom Kippur also has the restrictions of Shabbat (let’s just wait until I make my Shabbat post to go into that) 

Tisha B’Av also has similar restrictions as one sitting shiva 

There are many more minor fasts, with four ones still being widely observed 

The Fast of Gedalia, Tzom Gedalia on the 3rd of Tishrei (so coming up) commemorates the murder of Gedalia, governor of Judah under the Babylonians 

The Tenth of Tevet, Asarah B’Tevet, is a fast commemorating the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar 

Fast of Tammuz, or Shivah Asar B’Tammuz, commemorates the breach of the walls of Jerusalem before the Second Temple was destroyed 

(So these three + Tisha B’Av are the four fasts associated with Temple Destruction & Exile from Israel) 

Then, the Fast of Esther, or Ta’anit Esther, is the day before Purim, commemorating Esther/the Jewish community fasting prior to Esther approaching the king, supplicating for the safety of the Jewish people (basically: let us live, the fast) 

There’s also The Fast of the Firstborn, Ta’anit Bechorot, on the day before Pesach; Yom Kippur Katan (little Yom Kippur) on the day before Rosh Chodesh (new month) most months; a custom to fast on the first Monday, Thursday, and second Monday in Cheshvan and Iyyar, after Sukkot and Pesach; the fast of the Khmelnytsky Massacres on 20th of Sivan; fast of Moshe on the 7th of Adar;  and varying fasts observed by Ethiopian Jews including on on Cheshvan 12, one on Kislev 11, an extended fast of Tevet, an extended fast of Esther, a fast on the 11th of Sivan, an extended (and earlier) fast of Tammuz, an extra period of fasting leading up to Tisha B’Av and afterwards, and a fast in the first week of Elul, plus others that are very rarely observed. These apply to different groups of people and have a lot of Halachic Discourse™️ so I’m not going to go too deep into that 

Minor fasts only prohibit food and drink, and go from sunup to sundown 

There are also fasts to commemorate personal educations

All fasts but Yom Kippur are not allowed to fall on Shabbat, and are postponed/moved if they do 

Fasts serve a variety of functions 

To encourage focus on matters of spirituality, not material life 

As a mourning practice 

In supplication to HaShem 

To feel uncomfortable/”afflict your soul”, to force your soul into focus on repenting 

To ignore the animal side of yourself, and instead, enrich the soul 

My advice is going to be geared towards those who are first-time (or new in general) fasters and want to make their first time smooth and successful. Thus, it’ll be focused on ways to make the fast easier. This might not be your personal goal. And that’s fine! But my advice for you is basically “well, go daven in synagogue and feel free to think about how hungry you are and how that reflects on your sins”, so, that’s not really much a tumblr post… 

The Torah Tells Us TO LIVE By the Commandments. Live. 

Pikuach Nefesh is a primary rule in Judaism: the preservation of life above all else. A doctor is allowed to save a life on Shabbat, even though it would be work. Therefore, one is not allowed to fast if it would endanger their life. 

9 times out of 10, if you’re pregnant, nursing, ill, in pain, weak, or a child, you’re not allowed to fast. THIS INCLUDES IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF EATING DISORDERS. 

That 1 time out of 10 is Yom Kippur 

Sources differ. In most traditionally observant communities, you have to fast, unless you’re literally going to immediately die if you fast

But in most other communities, the same exceptions on fasting that apply to other fasts apply on Yom Kippur, too 

So this includes stuff like: 

Having to take your meds with food 

Needing to drink water or else you’ll faint 

Mental Health breakdowns likely to be triggered by fasting 

You are doing a full fast, but find yourself compromised during the fast, such as becoming suddenly ill, faint, or in pain 

Have I mentioned the eating disorder thing??? PLEASE DO NOT TRIGGER YOURSELF.

There are ways to take part in the fast if you have to abstain 

Limiting your food & water intake to the bare minimum you can handle 

Abstaining from things like sweets & caffeine 

Fasting from something else that would be difficult to give up (such as fun things like video games, tv, or dare I say, social media) 

Keep in mind, however, that it is kind of a dick move to show you aren’t fasting in front of those who are 

Especially on Yom Kippur - do your non-fasting stuff discreetly 

Don’t eat or drink in front of fasters 

Try to even keep it out of the synagogue or Jewish Community Center 

Get Prepared Beforehand 

A fast is serious shit, so do what you can to prepare for it 

You’re probably thinking “oh, I should power eat beforehand - biggest meal ever”. You’d be wrong 

Instead, before a fast, eat multiple meals throughout the day, but smaller ones 

This way you won’t have a huge crash a few hours after you begin fasting 

Eat good proteins & complex carbs, along with plenty of sources of vitamins and minerals 

Try to avoid salty foods and simple sugars, as they’ll make you thirsty / crash 

HYDRATE. 

HYDRATE. 

HYDRATE. 

HYDRATE. 

HYDRATE. 

HYDRATE. 

HYDRATE. 

Start to wean yourself off of caffeine 

Do a regimented, less-and-less schedule starting a week before the fast 

Do this also for things you are addicted to in general such as cigarettes, alcohol, whatever (no judgment here) 

Withdrawal is no joke and you want to avoid that or else you’re not going to be focused on the actual point of the fast 

Vary your meal schedule before the fast so your body gets used to eating at weird times and doesn’t have a set time limit before it gets hungry again 

Take it easy! Especially the day before. You’ve gotta be nice to your body

Think About HaShem, and Your Spirituality

During the Fast, you’re going to want to think about eating, or drinking (hopefully water). Don’t. 

You’re fasting for a reason - think about that reason! 

Use the time to focus on spiritual matters, such as davening (prayer), considering Jewish history (such as with the fasts for the destruction of the Temple), or your own failures/how you want to grow as a person 

Plus, having something else to focus on helps you to not focus on how hungry you are 

Go to Synagogue! Especially on days like Yom Kippur, there should be activities and a minyan so you can daven, talk to others, and do anything but think about food. This is the right call. 

If you do think about how hungry you are, use it as an opportunity to reflect on the nature of body versus soul, what HaShem wants of us versus what our nature wants of us, etc. Sometimes, reflecting on why you feel crummy is kind of the point. 

Sleeping is a Great Way to Pass The Time 

You can sleep in the evening! Especially during the Major Fasts, take the night time to, you know, do something that typically doesn’t need food 

Feel free to go to bed early and sleep late! 

I mean, you should probably go to service on Yom Kippur, but hey, whatever you need to do to fast 

It’s not only something that passes the time, but it allows your body to conserve energy, a big plus 

You can even take a nap! In the middle of the day! 

There’s some downtime on Yom Kippur and this is a great time to squeeze in some sleep 

Heck, get some friends, organize a nap party, take a section of grass near your synagogue, and just snooze. I support this. 

This isn’t really like, me encouraging you to not take the fast seriously. More - fasting is hard, and doing perfectly acceptable things to make it easier is not a crime 

Find Ways to Distract Yourself 

If you aren’t going to services, I recommend doing things that keep your attention wholeheartedly 

I recommend reading a book! Get lost in it! 

I wouldn’t binge a TV show because A) it seems kind of like missing the point of a fast and B) TV and snack food go hand in hand; but maybe listen to music or podcasts (depending on the fast and other provisions you might be observing, such as mourning ones) 

I know some people who just scroll the internet all day, and if that would help you and it doesn’t conflict with your inner sense of fast observance, go for it 

You can also sniff spices 

Such as those for Havdalah, or just your jar of cinnamon 

It gives your stomach a nice jolt that eases your hunger just a tiny bit 

Read the Torah perhaps? I mean, doing specifically Jewish things to distract yourself seems like a good option to me 

You’re trying to keep your mind off the fact you’re hungry, because if you don’t, you might break the fast too early, and I’m assuming you don’t want that

It is Not a Failure to Take Care Of Yourself 

Sometimes, we can’t continue fasting. We feel weak, or tired, or there’s an emergency, or something comes up, or heck, we just forget and accidentally eat something. 

Take a deep breath

Remind yourself that shit happens 

You can continue to fast if it’s safe to 

If it’s not, then remind yourself there’s always next year 

You can continue on in other alternative ways, too, such as abstaining from special things other than required sustenance 

Blaming yourself for not being able to keep the fast is a road to terrible mental trouble and I don’t really condone it. If you feel you need to to get yourself to fast properly next time, fine, but don’t be too hard on yourself. We’re all human, and the point of a fast is to deny your animal needs in favor of your spiritual ones. Sometimes the animal side wins out. You can just try again next time. 

Fasting is always hardest the first time. Over time, you’ll learn how your body deals with it, and what it needs from you. Use your experience this time to inform the next. It’s all about growth!!! 

Break the Fast! 

You’re going to be tempted to eat a giant meal of ridiculousness because of course you are 

I recommend instead: drinking water 

And juice!!!!! Juice is good and has nice carbs in it to help you start to ease your stomach 

Fruit is also a great way to break the fast 

This puts sugar in the bloodstream, getting you energized, and fills up your stomach, so you don’t eat too much too fast 

Eat a little bit, then take a break before continuing 

Go like this until your body is back to normal 

Your body was doing its “crap we’re starving” routine, so it’s more likely to keep the weight you put on after a fast. So, you know, if you don’t want that to happen, maybe don’t eat a huge meal 

Eat a healthy meal, get your vitamins and nutrients, stock up on those complex carbs and proteins 

Or, you know, eat your comfort food. Just know it might come with consequences! :) 

You are Not Alone!!!! 

Everyone around you will also be suffering. Ask them questions. Ask them for advice. They have a lot to give. 

Talk to your friends, family, community members, whoever, and talk about how they fast, if they’re planning on fasting, and what you can do together to make the fast easier (or more meaningful. Sometimes people don’t want an easy fast.) 

Feel free to ask a Rabbi for advice, too! 

At the very least you can kvetch about how hungry you are with internet friends, if you have no better avenue 

Don’t Just Listen To Me 

Once upon a time, I was going to have friends look over this post. Then everything changed when Rosh Hashanah attacked. So. This post is largely un-critiqued. 

And I am just a little reformadox nerd sitting under a pile of bird feathers 

So, talk to other people, listen to them, hear what they have to say. They’ll doubtlessly have a different perspective on fasting than I do, because I have a rather… well. Let’s just say I have Opinions on fasting. So you should definitely talk to other people. 

Remember: Fasting is for your own spiritual fulfillment. Carve your experience to that, and you’ll go a long way. 

Buy the author a coffee: http://ko-fi.com/kulindadromeus 

[jewishshadowhunters]

שנה טובה ומתוקה - Have a Good and Sweet Year!

[jewishshadowhunters]

aaaaaaaand here it is!

Today is the first day of the High Holy Days Challenge!

From today until October 9th, you’re welcome to post anything that works within the prompts and regulations for the Challenge!

I hope you have a fun time with it! Shanah Tovah to all!