considering jewish arvell thoughts
Clavell leans more conservadox or very egalitarian orthodox, while Arven is completely lapsed on account of the whole Sada situation. when they get together though, Clavell makes sure he's included in all the holiday rituals and daily practices, and Arven starts to practice a lot more as a result, wearing tallit katan and blessing before eating.
Clavell always does birchat habanim over Arven before friday night shabbat dinner, even though arven is not a child. Clavell never had a child to do it to and it felt natural to do so when Arven came under his care, and honestly Arven finds it very sweet.
they keep kosher, and keep a kosher kitchen. I think they both keep torah rules on forbidden animals and mixing meat and milk, but Clavell requires kosher certification, while Arven is more lax on kosher certification than Clavell is. Clavell would look for the kosher stamps and for halachically slaughtered meat, while Arven is more happy just checking the ingredients and trusting that instead. If he's bringing groceries home to share however, Arven will always look for the kosher symbol or go to their local jewish shop.
Clavell does do daily prayer three times a day, the full gamut. Arven has a standing offer to join him, but it's not really Arven's thing. generally he'll join him to do shema and maybe amidah, but after that he'll wander off and start breakfast while Clavell wraps up. Arven did make Clavell a hand-crocheted tallit gadol for his birthday, which Clavell proudly wears every morning
niddah is part of their practice. I think this is one of the harder practices for Arven to pick up because no cuddles with sabba??? for 11 days??? Bad, Actually. I don't think they're super strict on no touching, Clavell will probably avoid it out of force of habit but they're not telling each other off if they brush hands or pass items to each other. they do sleep in separate bedrooms for the duration, and avoid physical affection, but Clavell makes sure its good for him, makes sure the spare bedroom is all nice and cozy for him, brings him snacks and hot water bottles, showing him that he's still there and he cares.
they have a specific armchair in the sitting room that becomes Arven's throne during niddah, not because he's prohibited from sitting on the settee but because if he does sit there it becomes much more difficult for the two of them to resist each other. the armchair is the comfiest they have and has a recline setting plus plenty of pillows and blankets, and its within easy access of side tables so clavell can bring him snacks and drinks. sometimes when arven is being particularly cute clavell will grip the back of his chair and give him a Look, and Arven knows he is REALLY resisting the urge to come over there and kiss him.
related, Arven would much rather go on a hike and find a natural pool of water to immerse in than go to the local mikveh near the shul. while Clavell's shul is very welcoming, being trans in a highly gendered space is pretty discomforting, and he's much more comfortable immersing outside in nature. paldea's warm enough that he can do this all year round, although winter can be somewhat nippy 🤭
