Top of the evening all...
All is now said and done. Jennifer and I are now the former owners of a 2005 Toyota Corolla. We are the present owners of a 2009 Toyota Sienna. It has an installed GPS. I am kind of thinking that I should try reading the directions instead of trying to figure out how to work it while sitting at traffic lights. Jennifer is truly rubbing off on me.
I was going back to read a couple of much earlier postings. I found a grammar mistake in one. That has been corrected. GS - where are you when I need you?
My blog now lists 20 followers. This is so exciting. I am debating starting a movement. I have to figure out though whether the list truly means I have 20 followers. Two people are listed twice, and four others are really two couples. It is also exciting that I have been asked to write for another blog, and have just had a request to use one of my blog entries in yet a third blog.
This sounds very tongue in cheek. It is certainly written in that style. Thinking about it though, it is doubtful that any of us will truly touch the masses. We should be content with having a positive effect on those around us. If we can really make a difference in one person's life, that is a great piece for the autobiography.
To sleep, perchance to dream...
R/SCG
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
After All Is Said and Done
Top of the evening everyone...
So after all is said and done, more is usually said than done. In order to conclude dealing with the turnover of my vehicle to my in-laws, I called the good state of New Jersey again to explain to them that US Customs at the Lewiston crossing would not import my car, as it had never been exported. New Jersey put me on hold and called US Customs in Newark. Then they told me that I still needed those forms, as US Customs in Newark was very specific.
Aha...I got the number for US Customs in Newark and spoke with them. The people there said that all my in-laws had to do was bring the title and bill of sale/gift, and they would reimport the car. There was no problem at all. My in-laws then mailed the material to foreign titles at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. It is now possible that Jennifer is driving our car illegally. If the car is titled in New Jersey, then it is no longer titled in Canada, and we can no longer insure it with our Canadian insurer.
On the positive side, our buyer has found us a 2009 Toyota Sienna. I hope he found something in our price range. If not, I will likely have to sell a child.
Have a good night everyone.
Rav Sean
So after all is said and done, more is usually said than done. In order to conclude dealing with the turnover of my vehicle to my in-laws, I called the good state of New Jersey again to explain to them that US Customs at the Lewiston crossing would not import my car, as it had never been exported. New Jersey put me on hold and called US Customs in Newark. Then they told me that I still needed those forms, as US Customs in Newark was very specific.
Aha...I got the number for US Customs in Newark and spoke with them. The people there said that all my in-laws had to do was bring the title and bill of sale/gift, and they would reimport the car. There was no problem at all. My in-laws then mailed the material to foreign titles at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. It is now possible that Jennifer is driving our car illegally. If the car is titled in New Jersey, then it is no longer titled in Canada, and we can no longer insure it with our Canadian insurer.
On the positive side, our buyer has found us a 2009 Toyota Sienna. I hope he found something in our price range. If not, I will likely have to sell a child.
Have a good night everyone.
Rav Sean
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Like a Hole in My Head
Hi all...
I am sitting by the telephone right now. Department of Motor Vehicles in the State of New Jersey is supposed to call me back today. Thus far, they have not.
My in-laws have graciously agreed to purchase our car from us, allowing us the financial freedom and the circumstantial necessity to purchase a mini-van. Selling the car to them is a shockingly difficult feat.
When we moved up here, we were not informed that we had to export the vehicle from the United States. There is some logic to the requirement, as it is one way of preventing theft. In order to register the car in New Jersey, the car had to be re-imported into the United States. It is, however, rather difficult to re-import a vehicle that I never actually exported.
Anyway, I went to the border today. I exported the car from Canada after receiving assurance that they would allow me back in upon importing the vehicle to the US. Then I went to US Customs. After waiting about 90 minutes, the US decided to list the car as "US goods returning." In the mind of the agent, this eliminated the need for the otherwise-required permission slip from the EPA. In fact, the agent refused to give me the slip (could not resist).
New Jersey will not give my in-laws a new title without the appropriate slip from the EPA. Apparently, they will also not accept the ruling from the border agent that no paperwork is necessary.
As well, New Jersey wants all sorts of paperwork stating that the car meets US standards. However, all of this paperwork can only come from various sources to me, the present owner of the vehicle. My in-laws cannot get a new title without the paperwork made out to them. Neither can they receive the paperwork without a title in their name.
The car was sold to us in the United States. What I find humourous is that the car was made in Canada. It was then shipped to Westbury, NY. We acquired it. We brought it back to Canada. Now, we are sending it to New Jersey. If vehicles had feelings, this one would probably be wondering if it is welcome anywhere.
Have a less confusing day.
R/SCG
I am sitting by the telephone right now. Department of Motor Vehicles in the State of New Jersey is supposed to call me back today. Thus far, they have not.
My in-laws have graciously agreed to purchase our car from us, allowing us the financial freedom and the circumstantial necessity to purchase a mini-van. Selling the car to them is a shockingly difficult feat.
When we moved up here, we were not informed that we had to export the vehicle from the United States. There is some logic to the requirement, as it is one way of preventing theft. In order to register the car in New Jersey, the car had to be re-imported into the United States. It is, however, rather difficult to re-import a vehicle that I never actually exported.
Anyway, I went to the border today. I exported the car from Canada after receiving assurance that they would allow me back in upon importing the vehicle to the US. Then I went to US Customs. After waiting about 90 minutes, the US decided to list the car as "US goods returning." In the mind of the agent, this eliminated the need for the otherwise-required permission slip from the EPA. In fact, the agent refused to give me the slip (could not resist).
New Jersey will not give my in-laws a new title without the appropriate slip from the EPA. Apparently, they will also not accept the ruling from the border agent that no paperwork is necessary.
As well, New Jersey wants all sorts of paperwork stating that the car meets US standards. However, all of this paperwork can only come from various sources to me, the present owner of the vehicle. My in-laws cannot get a new title without the paperwork made out to them. Neither can they receive the paperwork without a title in their name.
The car was sold to us in the United States. What I find humourous is that the car was made in Canada. It was then shipped to Westbury, NY. We acquired it. We brought it back to Canada. Now, we are sending it to New Jersey. If vehicles had feelings, this one would probably be wondering if it is welcome anywhere.
Have a less confusing day.
R/SCG
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Jennifer Is Making History and I Am Home with the Kids
I need to go to sleep.
You may all wish to go to www.rabbinicalassembly.org. There, you will find an article written by my wife. It has links to articles in the Jerusalem Post and on YNET. There are also pictures.
For the first time in history, there was an egalitarian minyan at the Knesset in Jerusalem. Jennifer led it. Her place in history is secure. Kol haKavod to her!!
I still have to fold the laundry.
R/SCG
You may all wish to go to www.rabbinicalassembly.org. There, you will find an article written by my wife. It has links to articles in the Jerusalem Post and on YNET. There are also pictures.
For the first time in history, there was an egalitarian minyan at the Knesset in Jerusalem. Jennifer led it. Her place in history is secure. Kol haKavod to her!!
I still have to fold the laundry.
R/SCG
Claims of Authenticity
Top of the evening, oh ye loyal readers.
I have been teaching a class over the last three weeks. The title of the course is "The Kosher Bedroom." You may use your imagination to figure out the subject matter.
A couple of questions kept popped up in different forms. On one matter, as we were discussing a piece from the Shulchan Arukh, someone asked what verse in the Torah was the basis for the Halakhah at hand. I had no answer. There is no answer. A question arose over the millennia of Jewish history that the Torah did not directly address. This happens. The Torah itself admits to being finite. Hopefully, as we encounter new situations, we use the legal traditions and connected issues to reach a proper practice. Moreover, the list of sources in the Shulchan Arukh rarely lists the Torah as a source. It usually only goes back to the Talmud.
The other question that I found difficult tonight was one of "whether or not the hassidim would rule the same way." Frankly, I do not care. I do not learn Halakhah from people who insist that men and women must walk on opposite sides of the street. Who knows what other laws they might have invented? That being said, I use the same texts. The Talmud is the Talmud. The Codes are the Codes. The Poskim are the Poskim (decisors).
Those who claim authenticity the most loudly are usually the ones with the weakest attachment. The Torah is wonderful, with 70 different ways to read it. It is disingenuous to say that only one way is correct.
I constantly tell my students: it is not enough to pick a text. It is vital to pick an editor. Your Rav should be someone who is knowledgable. Your Rav should be someone whose understanding of the focus of Jewish Law and tradition makes sense within your own world view. Your Rav should be brave enough to say yes absent a compelling reason to say no. Your Rav should be someone who can look you in the eye and have the courage to insist that you demand more from yourself. For some people, it is those who insist on separate sidewalks. For others, it is someone who rides a bicycle instead of driving.
On a different note, the daughter of one of my congregants has been subject to a certain amount of vitriol due to her participation in the 'Occupy' movement. I have been watching this movement for several months now. I can safely say that I have not the faintest clue what the movement's goals are. The vitriol has been from the congregant's rather traditional friend, who seems to think that being Jewish means being at odds with the goals of the 'Occupy' movement.
I am missing it. Jews formed the backbone of many of the vital social movements of the last century. It seems logical that they would continue to do so. Moreover, the young lady in question put up a sukkah while occupying St. James Park. I have been leery of the 'Occupy' movement. However, it seems to me that she understands what she should do as a Jew, and it drives her both ritually and socially.
Good for her!!
Good night everyone.
R/SCG
I have been teaching a class over the last three weeks. The title of the course is "The Kosher Bedroom." You may use your imagination to figure out the subject matter.
A couple of questions kept popped up in different forms. On one matter, as we were discussing a piece from the Shulchan Arukh, someone asked what verse in the Torah was the basis for the Halakhah at hand. I had no answer. There is no answer. A question arose over the millennia of Jewish history that the Torah did not directly address. This happens. The Torah itself admits to being finite. Hopefully, as we encounter new situations, we use the legal traditions and connected issues to reach a proper practice. Moreover, the list of sources in the Shulchan Arukh rarely lists the Torah as a source. It usually only goes back to the Talmud.
The other question that I found difficult tonight was one of "whether or not the hassidim would rule the same way." Frankly, I do not care. I do not learn Halakhah from people who insist that men and women must walk on opposite sides of the street. Who knows what other laws they might have invented? That being said, I use the same texts. The Talmud is the Talmud. The Codes are the Codes. The Poskim are the Poskim (decisors).
Those who claim authenticity the most loudly are usually the ones with the weakest attachment. The Torah is wonderful, with 70 different ways to read it. It is disingenuous to say that only one way is correct.
I constantly tell my students: it is not enough to pick a text. It is vital to pick an editor. Your Rav should be someone who is knowledgable. Your Rav should be someone whose understanding of the focus of Jewish Law and tradition makes sense within your own world view. Your Rav should be brave enough to say yes absent a compelling reason to say no. Your Rav should be someone who can look you in the eye and have the courage to insist that you demand more from yourself. For some people, it is those who insist on separate sidewalks. For others, it is someone who rides a bicycle instead of driving.
On a different note, the daughter of one of my congregants has been subject to a certain amount of vitriol due to her participation in the 'Occupy' movement. I have been watching this movement for several months now. I can safely say that I have not the faintest clue what the movement's goals are. The vitriol has been from the congregant's rather traditional friend, who seems to think that being Jewish means being at odds with the goals of the 'Occupy' movement.
I am missing it. Jews formed the backbone of many of the vital social movements of the last century. It seems logical that they would continue to do so. Moreover, the young lady in question put up a sukkah while occupying St. James Park. I have been leery of the 'Occupy' movement. However, it seems to me that she understands what she should do as a Jew, and it drives her both ritually and socially.
Good for her!!
Good night everyone.
R/SCG
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Defending This Caveman
Good evening everyone.
Jennifer wrote about all of the wonderful things she is expecting to find upon her return from Israel next week. Amongst them, she expects to find all of the household laundry clean, but unfolded.
I admit that this expectation is not entirely without reason. I would rather do just about anything than fold laundry. Let me give you a sample conversation that could happen:
Me, yelling down the steps: what are you doing?
Jennifer: Folding laundry. Do you want to help?
Me: Uhhhhhh...I have to go out and make sure that there is air in the spare tire. I think there is a place over on Yonge that charges a quarter less.
I hate folding laundry. I hate sorting it.
For the record: all of the laundry that has been done during Jennifer's absence is folded. The four of us here will sort it out tomorrow, as I cannot tell Jesse's clothes from Gavi's. The kids have eaten dinner and breakfast every day. They have gotten out the door to school on time. Keren has one more dose of her antibiotics. She will take it first thing in the morning. All of the dishes in the house are clean. The kids will empty the dishwasher tomorrow. The grocery shopping is done. There are no leftovers spawning new life in the refrigerator. I changed the linens and pillowcases. This took the better part of 30 minutes. After 18+ years of marriage, I do not understand why we have six pillows on the bed. I also do not understand how it is that Jennifer can tell them apart. Nonetheless, they all have new pillowcases done exactly the way she had it.
I have also managed to fulfill all of my rabbinical responsibilities. I am averaging 6.5 hours of sleep per night. I could extend it if I were not writing blog entries in the middle of the night.
To all of the women we love: we can bring home the (kosher) bacon, fry it up in the pan, and never ever let you forget that we're men.
Go to sleep everyone.
R/SCG
Jennifer wrote about all of the wonderful things she is expecting to find upon her return from Israel next week. Amongst them, she expects to find all of the household laundry clean, but unfolded.
I admit that this expectation is not entirely without reason. I would rather do just about anything than fold laundry. Let me give you a sample conversation that could happen:
Me, yelling down the steps: what are you doing?
Jennifer: Folding laundry. Do you want to help?
Me: Uhhhhhh...I have to go out and make sure that there is air in the spare tire. I think there is a place over on Yonge that charges a quarter less.
I hate folding laundry. I hate sorting it.
For the record: all of the laundry that has been done during Jennifer's absence is folded. The four of us here will sort it out tomorrow, as I cannot tell Jesse's clothes from Gavi's. The kids have eaten dinner and breakfast every day. They have gotten out the door to school on time. Keren has one more dose of her antibiotics. She will take it first thing in the morning. All of the dishes in the house are clean. The kids will empty the dishwasher tomorrow. The grocery shopping is done. There are no leftovers spawning new life in the refrigerator. I changed the linens and pillowcases. This took the better part of 30 minutes. After 18+ years of marriage, I do not understand why we have six pillows on the bed. I also do not understand how it is that Jennifer can tell them apart. Nonetheless, they all have new pillowcases done exactly the way she had it.
I have also managed to fulfill all of my rabbinical responsibilities. I am averaging 6.5 hours of sleep per night. I could extend it if I were not writing blog entries in the middle of the night.
To all of the women we love: we can bring home the (kosher) bacon, fry it up in the pan, and never ever let you forget that we're men.
Go to sleep everyone.
R/SCG
Sunday, January 15, 2012
I Suppose The Boys Do Grow Up
Hi all...
It is fascinating watching children. My sons have both been quite interesting lately. We will start with Jesse.
Jesse's reach has always far exceeded his grasp. This is often a challenge with overly intelligent children. It took years to teach him to ride a bicycle, as he was very afraid of massive trauma from falling. Technically, it could happen. It is unlikely. He reads too much non-fiction and believes what he reads.
I suppose one of the results of this reach and grasp issue is that after living in Canada for over six years, the young man still does not know how to use ice skates. All of the cajoling in the world did nothing to help. What finally worked? Well, as in many cases, cherchez la femme. In this case, la femme is his best friend's girlfriend. They have been friends for a long time. Jesse is the third wheel. She dragged him out on the ice last night. He did okay, despite being remarkably tentative. He did not fall. Apparently, there was also some bribery involved. One of his other friends owes him $1.25 for his having gone out on the ice.
It is also fun to watch him go to the bookstore. When announced, Jesse will grab every penny he has in the house. By the time the evening is over, he will have spent all of it, and borrowed a few dollars to come out of his next allowance. He will devour the books quickly. I wish we lived closer to a library.
Then there is his brother. Because of Gavi, we instituted a household rule as to the the maximum amount of money they are allowed to have in the safe. When trips to the bookstore are announced, Gavi will take $20 out of his cash and purchase one thing. He has likely identified that one thing before even getting to the store. Gavi asked me to give him his allowance for the year all at once. He would like to receive a salary (his word, not mine).
It is no small point of pride that they will choose the bookstore over the movie theatre, despite the two being right across the hall from each other at the mall.
And Gavi on skates....Gavi is teaching himself to skate. Last night, he was moving pretty well, never having taken a skating lesson. He has been teaching himself over the years that we have been up here. Anyway, Gavi's reach does not exceed his grasp. He knows the risks. He just does not care. That attitude pervades everything he does, and brought one of our friends to comment on the perceived size of his anatomy (thank you Patrick).
It is a delight to watch them go from boys to young men. I hope that I was half as cool as they are.
Go to sleep everyone.
R/SCG
P.S. Keren is in bed with strep right now. I will write about her another time.
It is fascinating watching children. My sons have both been quite interesting lately. We will start with Jesse.
Jesse's reach has always far exceeded his grasp. This is often a challenge with overly intelligent children. It took years to teach him to ride a bicycle, as he was very afraid of massive trauma from falling. Technically, it could happen. It is unlikely. He reads too much non-fiction and believes what he reads.
I suppose one of the results of this reach and grasp issue is that after living in Canada for over six years, the young man still does not know how to use ice skates. All of the cajoling in the world did nothing to help. What finally worked? Well, as in many cases, cherchez la femme. In this case, la femme is his best friend's girlfriend. They have been friends for a long time. Jesse is the third wheel. She dragged him out on the ice last night. He did okay, despite being remarkably tentative. He did not fall. Apparently, there was also some bribery involved. One of his other friends owes him $1.25 for his having gone out on the ice.
It is also fun to watch him go to the bookstore. When announced, Jesse will grab every penny he has in the house. By the time the evening is over, he will have spent all of it, and borrowed a few dollars to come out of his next allowance. He will devour the books quickly. I wish we lived closer to a library.
Then there is his brother. Because of Gavi, we instituted a household rule as to the the maximum amount of money they are allowed to have in the safe. When trips to the bookstore are announced, Gavi will take $20 out of his cash and purchase one thing. He has likely identified that one thing before even getting to the store. Gavi asked me to give him his allowance for the year all at once. He would like to receive a salary (his word, not mine).
It is no small point of pride that they will choose the bookstore over the movie theatre, despite the two being right across the hall from each other at the mall.
And Gavi on skates....Gavi is teaching himself to skate. Last night, he was moving pretty well, never having taken a skating lesson. He has been teaching himself over the years that we have been up here. Anyway, Gavi's reach does not exceed his grasp. He knows the risks. He just does not care. That attitude pervades everything he does, and brought one of our friends to comment on the perceived size of his anatomy (thank you Patrick).
It is a delight to watch them go from boys to young men. I hope that I was half as cool as they are.
Go to sleep everyone.
R/SCG
P.S. Keren is in bed with strep right now. I will write about her another time.
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