{"id":69976,"date":"2022-10-14T18:04:02","date_gmt":"2022-10-14T23:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=69976"},"modified":"2022-10-16T11:57:35","modified_gmt":"2022-10-16T16:57:35","slug":"off-the-pulpit-the-writer-the-dog-and-the-lesson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/off-the-pulpit-the-writer-the-dog-and-the-lesson\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the Pulpit: The Writer, the Dog and the Lesson"},"content":{"rendered":"

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE<\/p>\n

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Lewis’ point is not about Scott’s distress but about his reaction. In his journal, he writes: “Poor cur! I dare say he had his distress, as I have mine.<\/p>\n

It is difficult enough to have sympathy for another when one is doing well. To have it when one\u2019s own circumstances are trying \u2013 and when it is a dog keeping you up! – takes genuine goodness and soul-strength. The Shulchan Arukh teaches that even those who depend on public funds must themselves contribute to charity (Yoreh De’ah 248:1). One\u2019s own misfortune is not a reason to neglect the sufferings of others. As Yeats writes to a child, \u201cFor the world\u2019s more full of weeping than you can understand.\u201d But we are adults and we can understand. And we can help to wipe those tears away.
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\nRabbi David Wolpe is the senior rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.<\/em><\/p>\n

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