Presence

Recently I've been working on starting a new program at shul. The Shomrei Book Club launched a few weeks ago, with our first selection, "Words that Hurt, Words that Heal," by Joseph Telushkin.

Initially, I was a bit skeptical about the book; it seemed a bit simplistic, in the vein of Pliskin or Artscroll. Telushkin offers a neutralized rational explication of the laws of Lashon HaRah (evil speech) and other interpersonal commandments. While it certainly wasn't a challenging read, it was enjoyable. Telushkin writes in a journalistic style, bringing examples from current events as support for the traditional laws.

There was one bit of philosophy touched upon: Telushkin quotes the position of Kant (and St. Augustine, I believe) that lying is, no matter the circumstances, wrong. He explains this to be contrary to the Jewish law. The example that comes to mind is from the Talmud in Kesubos. Beis Hillel's statement that, at a wedding, we tell a groom that his bride is 'beautiful and kind,' irrespective of her actual physical or personal accidents, clearly shows that lying is preferable in some situations. More proof of the underlying existential character of Halacha.

We need to come up with our second selection of the year. I just started "Yosl Rakover Talks to God," by Zvi Kolitz. Six pages in, and he mentions Hester Panim (hiding of the face). Nice.

In other Book Club news, Baraita mentions the possibility of starting up a "completely disorganized Book Discussion Group For Jewishly Interested Bloggers." I'm game, but no one seems to be doing anything about it (I guess that is the 'completely disorganized" part). I say, someone pick a book, and let's start reading. I'll even set up a trackback category so those with trackback can send pings in to aggregate the posts. That might be a bit too organized ;)