Half the Ceremony, one-third the guilt

#14 – Leah, try being a kid whose parents are Russian and Greek Orthodox respectively. We get the Jewish guilt with KGB tactics. (Example: “I can’t believe how insensitive you are. Now go to your room or I’ll kill you!”)

And that was just my mother talking. Ah, the memories of youth!

Regards,
Peter H.

You and Bruce do a great job keeping this blog up and running with interesting posts and a place where (mostly) interesting people get to discuss the issues of the day.

we Catholics have waaay more guilt than the average Jew

MM, we do guilt pretty well ourselves, I think it’s a tie between the Jews and the Catholics.

Dan, you are the one shining light I can always depend upon. Even today, on Day 1 of Rosh Hashanah, I spent so much time at Temple reflecting on the good in this world which was not easy after the stock meltdown of yesterday. But, I will survive this a lot easier than my ancestors whose very existence was in doubt from day to day. Thank you for your insight and most positive and encourging blog. A healthy and most prosperous new year to you and all your loved ones.

We Catholics do the “reflection-repentance-reform” thing each month when we attend Confession. It’d be kind of nice to limit that emotionally and spiritually eviscerating event to an annual one. I think the Islamic faith is a once-a-year reflection religion too.

But then, we Catholics have waaay more guilt than the average Jew and more to atone for each month that if we waited a year, the debt would require marathon confessional sessions and there wouldn’t even be enough priests in Heaven to take care of it all –if they could assist.

An unexamined life is clearly not worth living.

As a parent, I like that the same guy who said “An unexamined life is not worth living” also said “”Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.” What was that? 400 BC?

Some things never change, eh?

This rarely leads to a whole new outlook on life, but does make for a happier person.
Of course America is top on my prayers this year, along with Israel. My true prayer isn’t for our leaders – rather that the American people find it in them to keep this amazing country running despite the best efforts of those in charge to derail this wonderful country.

Either way, enjoy an apple dipped in honey – may that be a symbol of very sweet things to come.

BTW, I’ve been a lurker on-and-off for years. I am a conservative Republican, whose Catholic religion means a lot to me.

And I’d just like to say that I’m as proud as hell to share the same political philosophy as you guys.

(What do YOU mean you guys)

Cheers,
Victoria

May the Lord Bless You and keep you well all through the coming year!

Happy New Year, Dan!