I don’t know about you, but I can look backwards at a depressingly long list of mistakes. These were bad decisions. I think of them as forks in the road where I took the wrong turn. Almost without exception, each one resulted when I rationalized something to which I already felt emotionally attracted. ...
Two women were having a loud conversation, one which everyone in the vicinity overheard. Their voices were passionate; their convictions firm. The political candidate under discussion was an arrogant, self-serving liar. How could anyone possibly support him? There was only one glitch. Both women were so eager to express their opinion that they hadn’t listened...
I don’t know about you, but I can look backwards at a depressingly long list of mistakes. These were bad decisions. I think of them as forks in the road where I took the wrong turn. Almost without exception, each one resulted when I rationalized something to which I already felt emotionally...
“Rabbi, I’ve been seeing another woman,” the man sitting opposite me flatly declared. Unfortunately, I have heard more than my fair share of such heartbreaking disclosures. Sometimes it was the wife betraying the marriage; sometimes the husband. Sometimes the marriage was rescued; often it wasn’t. A marriage betrayal and its consequences is surely one...
I didn’t recognize any of the people working at my community’s library today. I still get surprised when that happens. Despite being aware of the policy changes that were instituted a while back, I just cannot get accustomed to not knowing the staff. Over the years, our library system has announced a number...
When you were a child, the unwanted food on your plate probably didn’t become more appealing when your mother reminded you that children in Africa were starving. Similarly, knowing that the current downturn does not compare with The Depression doesn’t necessarily make our own lives less stressful. And when we live with constant tension we...
On Sunday, I had the car radio on and heard a report of Hillary Clinton’s upcoming appearance on 60 Minutes, including a direct quote. Are you as amazed and incredulous as I was at her words? I came home and wrote the following. Imagine this scenario. On your way to bed, you notice...
Has anyone ever asked you whether you are more a cat or a dog person? Before you answer, think about this: Members of the cat family, including lions, often carry their tails high. Most times, members of the dog family, including foxes, hunt with their noses close to the ground as they follow...
It is possible that that some people do not consider a pyramid of bright yellow sulfur to be an attractive sight. But for our family, that view always evokes nostalgic smiles and wistful sighs. You see, along with heavy seaplane traffic and the striking architecture of the Vancouver Convention Centre, the miniature mountain of...
