When's the Bat-Mitzvah?

Claire-
I recall a previous message several months back that your daughter was
to be a bat-mitzvah this spring. When?

Mazel Tov, if congrats are in order. Did you pedal to the schul?

joel

"Reb" Claire-
Certainly pedaling to schul falls under the tikun olum mitzvah, when
compared to driving a car?

"Reb" Joel

Claire Petersky said:

"joel roth" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Claire-
I recall a previous message several months back that your daughter was
to be a bat-mitzvah this spring. When?

Summer actually. August. Thanks for asking. Stupid us, we scheduled it
during the RSVP ride. Next year in Jeru...I mean Vancouver.

Rose and I are still pedalling to her mid-week class. I think I posted
something last week about our ride back, what a splendid evening is was.
Last Sunday, we rode 75 miles together. She's taken on preparing for the 200
mile STP ride this July with the same grim determination that she has taken
on her Hebrew. Like me, I think she's the type to over-train. Probably we'll
make it over both finish lines weary but in fine shape.

Quoted message said:

Did you pedal to the schul?

There's some rabbinic dispute about whether or not you are allowed to pedal
to the shul on Shabbos under Orthodoxy. I think it should be allowable under
an O understanding of halacha, as long as you are in an eruv, your bike is
in good repair, and you aren't racing, but I don't think my opinions qualify
as pshat.

If your concern is not the Orthodox interpretation of the law, then I think
there are definite benefits to riding to shul. The real bonus comes with the
ride home. The transition on a Friday night is a whole 'nother experience
under the starry sky, the wheels rolling along, as you sail down empty
streets, your heart still elevated as you wend your way home.