I agree that masks are mostly (though not entirely) pointless, especially when children are concerned, and I share the conservative criticism of liberals who cling to masks as a totemic symbol more than as a way to stop COVID-19.
However, there are some conservatives for whom the inverse is true -- i.e. they view wearing a mask as some form of political betrayal, when in fact it is a) a risk mitigation strategy, and/or b) an act to comply with local regulations.
This morning, I posted a photo of my kids watching William Shatner's rocket blasting into space. I didn't notice that they were wearing masks, as we were headed out the door for the walk to school nearby, and the masks are routine.
I was surprised that so many of the responses specifically asked me why the kids were wearing masks at home. No, they don't wear masks at home. No, it's not a political gesture. And no, it's not something you should get mad about.
I agree that much liberal rule-making on the coronavirus is stupid. But anyone can wear a mask -- I do, indoors, in public settings -- and the "side" that loves liberty should not be that interested in what I'm doing in my own home.
This week’s portion launches the great story of Abraham, who is told to leave everything of his life behind — except his immediate family — and to leave for “the Land that I shall show you.”
There’s something interesting in the fact that Abraham is told to leave his father’s house, as if breaking away from his father’s life — but his father, in fact, began the journey, moving from Ur to Haran (in last week’s portion). His father set a positive example — why should Abraham leave him?
Some obvious answers suggest themselves — adulthood, needing to make one’s own choices, his father not going far enough, etc.
But I think there is another answer. Abraham (known for the moment as Abram) needs to establish his own household. This is not just about making one’s own choice, but really about choosing one’s own starting point. It’s starting over.
Sometimes we start over in fundamental ways even if much that surrounds us remains the same. Sometimes the journey we have to ...
The story of Noah is familiar; the details, less so.
Noah is often seen as an ambivalent figure. He was righteous -- but only for his generation. What was his deficiency?
One answer suggests itself: knowing that the world was about to be flooded, he built an Ark for the animals and for his own family -- but did not try to save anyone else or to convince them to repent and change their ways (the prophet Jonah, later, would share that reluctance).
Abraham, later, would set himself apart by arguing with God -- with the Lord Himself! -- against the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, saying that they should be saved if there were enough righteous people to be found (there were not).
Still, Noah was good enough -- and sometimes, that really is sufficient to save the world. We don't need heroes every time -- just ordinary decency.
Hi all -- as I noted last month, I'm going to be closing down my Locals page, at least for tips and subscriptions -- I may keep the page up and the posts as well, but I'm no longer going to be accepting any kind of payment.
Look for cancelation in the very near future. Thank you for your support!
