Etiquette help? We've been invited to a "light shabbat dinner" at an Israeli friend's house. Is this different from any other kosher dinner? Am I out of line in offering to bring something?

Raq, does this friend observe the shabbat?

In terms of the actual dinner, it shouldn't be any different than any rmeal. There are several customs (a blessing on the wine before eating, washing hands and a blessing on the bread), but the meal itself is no different than any other meal (sometimes fancier, to honor the shabbat).

Regarding bringing something, that may depend on the level in which your friend practices the rules of Judaism. On every kosher meal, the matter of kosher is an issue, of course. On shabbat there are several more complications (heating the food, for example), but again, they depend on the level of observing the rules by your friend. In general, I can't think of a reason to make an offer of bringing something anything other than nice, definitely not "out of line".

Nilly, are you around to help with a couple math problems if I don't get them finished before Emily leaves?

good morning. My furnance is all of a sudden super active and my room gets really warm about this time in the morning. uncomfortably warm. bleagh.

oh well, up early enough for breakfast and stretching before work, so that's good at least.

vw, Yup.

Morning, msbelle.

I think I got it all figured out. It was more completing the square. Not too bad.

Thanks!

The best kind of help is the one that's not even needed. Because it demands minimum work from me this way you know that you figured it out all on your own.

bwah! Exactly.

I like it, when I'm TAing, when a student raises their hand to ask something, and when I turn to them, they say that it doesn't matter anymore. Like the very process of phrasing the question helped them find the answer.

Like the very process of phrasing the question helped them find the answer.

I do this all the time. I use IM at work to phrase my programming questions to a friend, and he almost never has to answer.

Thanks, Nilly! She does observe the shabbat, but none of the guests are Jewish. I think as guests, we will be expected to honor the customs of the household, but it will be casual...but I want to hold up my end of the social contract!

I now need to find a detailed list of kosher foods. I was thinking I'd bring a lemon cake, but I will check.