I have never been one for resolutions. It always seemed too much like making plans. However, it is that time of year to think about what we have done and to think about what we'd like to do. I suppose there are a few things I would like to do in the coming days. I will not refer to them as resolutio...

Allow me to now wish one and all a belated Happy New Year. This is meant to balance out the early Happy New Year that was hinted at prior to the actual holiday. In my mind, this somehow balances out to a traditional and on-time greeting. Enjoy! Monkey and I spent a low-key evening with the puppy dog...

Question: What is the history behind the custom of eating Potato Latkes [pancakes] on Chanuka? Were potatoes eaten by the Jews of the second Temple era? Answer: Potatoes latkes [pancakes] are not involved in the story of Chanukah, and have only been part of the Chanukah scene for the past few hundre...

After dodging weather bullets twice this week, with storm fronts that passed through too late or too early, or that didn't pass through so much as pass by, we here in Cornopolis got an early Winter Break, as a layer of dry snow atop a layer of sleet atop a layer of ice was enough to call school for ...

I walked out this morning to start the car knowing it was going to be in the below zeros, but, DAMN! It was painfully cold. It was burn your lungs cold. And the Civic gave me a scare, when it didn't quite fire up on the first turn of the key. Or the second. It was so cold that the steering wheel was...

Question: I just reread the bible story of Jacob and Esau. I am so curious – why do you think G-d changed the birth right order of the brothers? Answer: Great question! There are many layers of depth to why G-d arranged the world as He did, posing its unique challenges to humankind (infinite l...

As a highly sought after arbiter of taste, it is my duty to keep my readership aware of the most trendy things for the new year. After all, who wants to be seen wearing last year's beard, or an outdated button-down Oxford? Who wants to visit the greasy spoon that is so declasse (I have no idea what ...

Question: Many ultra orthodox jews are not zionist because they believe Israel should not exist because the Messiah hasn’t come. However the land which the Torah refers to isn’t Israel but Judah. Judah and modern day Israel are different because Judah was larger than Israel and was a Jew...

We will post a two-fer today, finishing up our decade of song after a brief description of yesterday's festivities (and an updated look at "The Beard"). Monkey and I spent yesterday preparing a meal for just the two of us. However, as we have experienced Thanksgivings for multitudes, we cooked enoug...

Recent posts and various comments have led me to this poorly thought-through idea. The 1970s often get slagged as a miserable, empty decade. In many respects, that may be true. I was there, I have some memories. However, there's plenty to keep dear about that odd period that gave us roller disco, Pr...