Hi all...
On behalf of my colleagues, I apologize for what appears to be a major gap in the way we rabbanim have attempted to educate.
When I got to Cuba, I met a nice couple connected to the Jewish community. They asked about some details of my observance. It came out that, wonder of wonders, I do not drive on Shabbat. Their immediate reaction was that I must be Orthodox.
I am not. Just ask my wife, the senior rabbi in the household.
Anyway, whether or not I am Orthodox or Conservative is entirely a separate question from whether or not I drive on Shabbat. Three stories come to mind.
1. There is a congregation in Baltimore that sells its parking lot every week.
2. I remember driving past on of the local Orthodox synagogues in Toronto right after Yom Kippur. Their services were letting out. Lo and behold, people were walking to their cars.
3. In my neighbourhood, I saw a woman with the requisite number of children leaving one of the Orthodox synagogues in the area. She walked across Bathurst St, into the parking lot by Hartman's, piled the kids into the minivan, and drove off.
So some Orthodox people drive. Some Conservative people do not.
And now it is time for your lesson in Halakhah. Jewish Law is obligatory. Lesson concluded.
What this means is that from the outset, you should keep kosher. You should avoid driving on Shabbat. If you live too far from the nearest shul, there is a teshuvah, not my favourite, that says you can drive only for the purposes of going to shul, and only to the nearest shul. It is not a blanket permission slip to drive from Hamilton to Toronto for a bar mitzvah. It is most certainly not a permission slip to stop at your favourite coffee shop to get a cup on the way in.
I realize that many will read this, and process it in the mental circular file. That is okay, I suppose. Still, you should all know where I stand. Everyone should know the details of processing material in the circular file.
While I differ with many of my rabbinic colleagues in all movements, the Orthodox do not hold the monopoly on Jewish observance.
By the way, I challenge anyone to walk on Shabbat for a month. I promise you will never drive again.
Have a good evening all.
R/SCG
Monday, July 16, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Climb Every Mountain
Buenos Dias...
Once a month, the public works people feel that they need to shut down the electricity for the base. They choose Sunday mornings. Certain activities have generators – the chapel, the commissary, and the gym, just for example. I feel sorry for the lady at the front desk of the lodge. Some piece of machinery is supposed to beep if the power is cut off. The beep works well.
Anyway, I thought it would be a good morning to take a bicycle ride. So I did. Up behind the lodge, there is a tall hill with windmills thereupon. I decided to ride up to the windmills. I made it about two-thirds of the way up. Then I pushed the bicycle up the rest of the way.
Some years back, my Marine unit was sent to Bridgeport, California for mountain warfare training. The first morning of training, we pushed off with 40-pound packs. We started from our base camp at about 6700 feet. We hiked roughly four miles to the training area. I could barely keep up. This is not unexpected, as I do not train like Marines. Still, these chain-smoking, weighted down Marines simply marched over hill and dale in thin air at a speed that would embarrass most of us on a city street.
The memory of trying to keep up with those Marines has stayed with me. As such, there was no way I was not getting to the top of that hill this morning. So huffing and puffing, half walking, half riding, I did it. The payback was lovely. The view was magnificent, although I forgot my camera. As well, I got to ride down.
Jennifer and I have a fun disagreement. She seems to think that riding downhill is the time to rest when on a bicycle. I think it is the time to pedal. I pedaled. I slowed down dramatically for one switchback. Otherwise, I would have gotten down much more quickly than I wanted. By the way, I always wear my helmet. Today, I even remembered sunscreen.
There is one other tall hill. I did not ride up. On that hill, the American flag flies 24/7. Some of you might not be aware of flag rules on a military installation. The base officially has one flag. It flies at the base headquarters. The flag always comes down at sunset. The base flag here does come down at sunset. The only time the American flag flies at night is on a Naval ship underway. There are other limited circumstances as well. If it flies at night on land, it MUST be lit up. On Guantanamo, there is another flag.
On a remarkably tall hill, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay flies a flag 24/7, lit up for all the world to see. More importantly, it is lit up for Fidel and Raoul to see, any time they so desire, or not. Apparently, the Cold War is not quite over.
Now I am back in my room, waiting for the power to come on so that I can be socially acceptable.
Have a good day.
Now I am finally posting this, as I do not have internet in my room. Have a good evening.
R/SCG
Once a month, the public works people feel that they need to shut down the electricity for the base. They choose Sunday mornings. Certain activities have generators – the chapel, the commissary, and the gym, just for example. I feel sorry for the lady at the front desk of the lodge. Some piece of machinery is supposed to beep if the power is cut off. The beep works well.
Anyway, I thought it would be a good morning to take a bicycle ride. So I did. Up behind the lodge, there is a tall hill with windmills thereupon. I decided to ride up to the windmills. I made it about two-thirds of the way up. Then I pushed the bicycle up the rest of the way.
Some years back, my Marine unit was sent to Bridgeport, California for mountain warfare training. The first morning of training, we pushed off with 40-pound packs. We started from our base camp at about 6700 feet. We hiked roughly four miles to the training area. I could barely keep up. This is not unexpected, as I do not train like Marines. Still, these chain-smoking, weighted down Marines simply marched over hill and dale in thin air at a speed that would embarrass most of us on a city street.
The memory of trying to keep up with those Marines has stayed with me. As such, there was no way I was not getting to the top of that hill this morning. So huffing and puffing, half walking, half riding, I did it. The payback was lovely. The view was magnificent, although I forgot my camera. As well, I got to ride down.
Jennifer and I have a fun disagreement. She seems to think that riding downhill is the time to rest when on a bicycle. I think it is the time to pedal. I pedaled. I slowed down dramatically for one switchback. Otherwise, I would have gotten down much more quickly than I wanted. By the way, I always wear my helmet. Today, I even remembered sunscreen.
There is one other tall hill. I did not ride up. On that hill, the American flag flies 24/7. Some of you might not be aware of flag rules on a military installation. The base officially has one flag. It flies at the base headquarters. The flag always comes down at sunset. The base flag here does come down at sunset. The only time the American flag flies at night is on a Naval ship underway. There are other limited circumstances as well. If it flies at night on land, it MUST be lit up. On Guantanamo, there is another flag.
On a remarkably tall hill, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay flies a flag 24/7, lit up for all the world to see. More importantly, it is lit up for Fidel and Raoul to see, any time they so desire, or not. Apparently, the Cold War is not quite over.
Now I am back in my room, waiting for the power to come on so that I can be socially acceptable.
Have a good day.
Now I am finally posting this, as I do not have internet in my room. Have a good evening.
R/SCG
Thursday, July 12, 2012
And This Is Precisely My Point
Okay….let me see if I have this straight. I have thus far read two of the “50 Shades” books. After reading them, I asked what I thought were some significant questions about the sex lives of married couples. By the way, please answer those questions for yourselves. I really do not want to know. On the macro level though, it would be an interesting discussion in the comments section.
Jennifer has also read two of the three “50 Shades” books and has contented herself with a recipe for salad dressing!
Ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. This is an essential difference between men and women – pushing the sexual envelope versus salad dressing. Were we reading the same books?
R/SCG
P.S. Equal parts of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and roasted sesame oil will yield a lovely salad dressing. Crush in a clove of garlic and a pinch of cayenne for some extra zip. You can probably cut back on the sugar. I got that from our kosher Chinese cookbook. There was nothing remotely erotic in it.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Uhhhh....Jennifer
Buenos Dias...
One of the RP’s (enlisted personnel who support the chaplains) took me out to snorkel today. We made it to the Dominican Republic and back. Okay – we did not get quite that far.
It was beautiful. The RP had a waterproof digital camera. He took great pictures. I am even in a couple of them. We saw all matter of fish and coral. There was one coral that looked and moved like a waving leaf. There was a gorgeous iridescent blue fish, and another with stripes that is appropriately called a sergeant-major.
Jennifer bought me a new bathing suit last year. It is bright red, with a lovely Hawaiian pattern. Guess what folks! It is too big. The good news is that I did not lose it at any time. It has safety pins in it now to cinch the waist just a little bit. I no longer have to worry about waves.
When I was in high school, we were reviewing dangling clauses in grammar class. I remember one of the examples: “his trunks came off swimming across the lake.” What is dangling?
Note to self: try on new bathing suit before bringing it with you.
By the way, I always swim with a swim shirt on. It occurs to me that men should adhere to a certain degree of modesty, even when poolside. Jewish law addresses this concern, and does not differentiate in this regard between the requirements for women and the requirements for men.
I met two of the members of the Jewish community this evening. They were lovely people. She runs the seniors’ residence here on base. You might be thinking: why is there a seniors’ residence on a military base. Apparently, right after Fidel came to power and relations broke off, several Cubans were offered the possibility of living on base, working, earning a pension, and being promised a place to live in their senior years. 23 of them are still alive.
Two Cubans remain who were allowed to work on base after relations broke off. Every day, they leave via the north gate. They have to change clothes before going back into Cuba proper.
Good night all.
R/SCG
One of the RP’s (enlisted personnel who support the chaplains) took me out to snorkel today. We made it to the Dominican Republic and back. Okay – we did not get quite that far.
It was beautiful. The RP had a waterproof digital camera. He took great pictures. I am even in a couple of them. We saw all matter of fish and coral. There was one coral that looked and moved like a waving leaf. There was a gorgeous iridescent blue fish, and another with stripes that is appropriately called a sergeant-major.
Jennifer bought me a new bathing suit last year. It is bright red, with a lovely Hawaiian pattern. Guess what folks! It is too big. The good news is that I did not lose it at any time. It has safety pins in it now to cinch the waist just a little bit. I no longer have to worry about waves.
When I was in high school, we were reviewing dangling clauses in grammar class. I remember one of the examples: “his trunks came off swimming across the lake.” What is dangling?
Note to self: try on new bathing suit before bringing it with you.
By the way, I always swim with a swim shirt on. It occurs to me that men should adhere to a certain degree of modesty, even when poolside. Jewish law addresses this concern, and does not differentiate in this regard between the requirements for women and the requirements for men.
I met two of the members of the Jewish community this evening. They were lovely people. She runs the seniors’ residence here on base. You might be thinking: why is there a seniors’ residence on a military base. Apparently, right after Fidel came to power and relations broke off, several Cubans were offered the possibility of living on base, working, earning a pension, and being promised a place to live in their senior years. 23 of them are still alive.
Two Cubans remain who were allowed to work on base after relations broke off. Every day, they leave via the north gate. They have to change clothes before going back into Cuba proper.
Good night all.
R/SCG
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The Hottest Spot East-Southeast of Havana
Hi all...
When I got to Florida yesterday, the cab to the base had no air conditioning. For about 30 minutes, we had to go with the old 2-70 method – 2 windows, 70 miles per hour. We could not hear a thing.
So I arrived in Guantanamo today. It is hot and humid, much as I imagined. The bay is simply gorgeous, and begging for a swim. I will oblige.
On the negative side, the lodge where I am staying does not have internet. I think it is the last such lodge in the history of humanity. The commissary is missing some of what I regard as basics – bread with kosher supervision, a large selection.
On the positive side, someone loaned me a bicycle. Life is good. I have never seen iguana that large outside of a zoo. I will get a picture. The kitchenette in the lodge has metal pots and pans. I kashered pots and silverware today, and was able to get some spaghetti to have for dinner over a few nights. I am sure that there are a few books here in the library that I have not read. It will be fine for the two weeks that I am here.
Buenas Noches.
R/SCG
When I got to Florida yesterday, the cab to the base had no air conditioning. For about 30 minutes, we had to go with the old 2-70 method – 2 windows, 70 miles per hour. We could not hear a thing.
So I arrived in Guantanamo today. It is hot and humid, much as I imagined. The bay is simply gorgeous, and begging for a swim. I will oblige.
On the negative side, the lodge where I am staying does not have internet. I think it is the last such lodge in the history of humanity. The commissary is missing some of what I regard as basics – bread with kosher supervision, a large selection.
On the positive side, someone loaned me a bicycle. Life is good. I have never seen iguana that large outside of a zoo. I will get a picture. The kitchenette in the lodge has metal pots and pans. I kashered pots and silverware today, and was able to get some spaghetti to have for dinner over a few nights. I am sure that there are a few books here in the library that I have not read. It will be fine for the two weeks that I am here.
Buenas Noches.
R/SCG
Interesting Travel Day
Top of the morning all...
I am presently sitting in the MAC (Military Airlift Command) terminal at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (Florida). Shortly, I will board a plane to go to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay for two weeks. I hear the beaches are lovely.
Yesterday was just an annoying day. The flight from Newark to Jacksonville was long. I was not feeling so well afterwards. When I got off the plane in Jacksonville, I went to the USO. I figured that they would know how to get to the base. One taxi company is allowed on base.
I appreciate USO's. The USO was founded in 1941 as a joint effort of several religious organizations, including the Jewish Welfare Board. You are all likely familiar with stories of Bob Hope and the like going around war zones and entertaining the troops. That was a product of the USO. As well, the USO has many rest areas at the airports around the United States. They are always comfortable, with some food available, and free internet. They are safe too. If my kids ever travel without Jennifer and me, they will have their military id cards with them, and will be instructed to wait at the USO's between flights.
It is now 9:27 AM. The flight has not been called yet. It remains a source of irony for me that I probably could have gotten to Cuba more easily flying direct from Toronto; however, I am travelling for the US Government. That would not be possible. I am not sure as to which airport I would have used. Cuba is a fairly large island. To give you an idea, it is 227 miles in the air from Havana to Miami. It is over 500 miles from Havana to Guantanamo.
Please remember to keep your seatbelts buckled through the remainder of the blog.
R/SCG
I am presently sitting in the MAC (Military Airlift Command) terminal at Naval Air Station Jacksonville (Florida). Shortly, I will board a plane to go to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay for two weeks. I hear the beaches are lovely.
Yesterday was just an annoying day. The flight from Newark to Jacksonville was long. I was not feeling so well afterwards. When I got off the plane in Jacksonville, I went to the USO. I figured that they would know how to get to the base. One taxi company is allowed on base.
I appreciate USO's. The USO was founded in 1941 as a joint effort of several religious organizations, including the Jewish Welfare Board. You are all likely familiar with stories of Bob Hope and the like going around war zones and entertaining the troops. That was a product of the USO. As well, the USO has many rest areas at the airports around the United States. They are always comfortable, with some food available, and free internet. They are safe too. If my kids ever travel without Jennifer and me, they will have their military id cards with them, and will be instructed to wait at the USO's between flights.
It is now 9:27 AM. The flight has not been called yet. It remains a source of irony for me that I probably could have gotten to Cuba more easily flying direct from Toronto; however, I am travelling for the US Government. That would not be possible. I am not sure as to which airport I would have used. Cuba is a fairly large island. To give you an idea, it is 227 miles in the air from Havana to Miami. It is over 500 miles from Havana to Guantanamo.
Please remember to keep your seatbelts buckled through the remainder of the blog.
R/SCG
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Hypertension and Comments
Good morning all.
I mentioned to all of you that I have hypertension. Several of you commented in the blog. Others e-mailed me. It seems fair to update. I was able to drop my bottom number 10 points. That is the less important of the two numbers. I spoke to my doctor yesterday. He is giving me the summer to get my act together. If I do not, he will get it together for me. I will keep you updated. Thank you all for your concern.
Also, on one of my recent posts, one of you commented. Then, a wonderful thing happened. Someone else posted a comment in response. I made an editorial decision several months ago that I will no longer delete comments. Obviously, a comment that crosses any of my decency lines is subject to exclusion from that general practice. I read your comments. You have started responding to each other. I like that. We are slowly becoming a community.
I am supposed to teach in an hour. Naturally, I am doing this instead of preparing.
Have a good day.
R/SCG
I mentioned to all of you that I have hypertension. Several of you commented in the blog. Others e-mailed me. It seems fair to update. I was able to drop my bottom number 10 points. That is the less important of the two numbers. I spoke to my doctor yesterday. He is giving me the summer to get my act together. If I do not, he will get it together for me. I will keep you updated. Thank you all for your concern.
Also, on one of my recent posts, one of you commented. Then, a wonderful thing happened. Someone else posted a comment in response. I made an editorial decision several months ago that I will no longer delete comments. Obviously, a comment that crosses any of my decency lines is subject to exclusion from that general practice. I read your comments. You have started responding to each other. I like that. We are slowly becoming a community.
I am supposed to teach in an hour. Naturally, I am doing this instead of preparing.
Have a good day.
R/SCG
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