Comfort" Books - CHRONICLE Online/The WORD 10/16/25

Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah

October 16, 2025

24 Tishri 5786

Bereshit

I downloaded a new book to my iPad about two weeks ago, but I haven’t read a single word yet. I have two pretty good explanations for why that is. First of all, I have been greatly distracted by the events in Israel leading up to the ceasefire and the release of the last living hostages. Second, there have been a few Jewish holidays recently that have kept me pretty busy.

But the truth is that I have read other things in the meantime. I’ve even turned to other books. You see—in stressful times, I don’t like to read new books. I like to go back to books that I’ve read several times over the years. They’re my “comfort” books. (In case you’re wondering, my #1 go-to “comfort” book is The Godfather—it’s even better than the movie.)

In any event, it should be no surprise, therefore, that this is my favorite time of the Jewish year. We just finished reading the end of the Book of Deuteronomy and we immediately started reading the Torah all over again at the beginning of Genesis. No need to look for another book to read.

In contrast, in my Talmud class, we are getting close to finishing the Tractate of Berachot, and we’ve been discussing what we might want to study next, but I can’t seem to make a decision. I’m like a deer in the headlights. But there’s no issue in my Bible class. If we’re done with Deuteronomy, then it must be time to start all over again in Genesis.

When we read a book a second time (or a third or a fourth!), we learn as much about ourselves as we do about the book. What do we see in the book this time that we missed last time? What have we experienced that makes us see the book—and the world!—differently this time around? Because the truth is that we can’t possibly learn everything from a book the first time we read.

And it’s true about people as well. We may think we understand who a person is after meeting them,  but there’s usually more to a person than we can possibly glean that first time we meet them.  

I was reminded of this when I watched the film Intelligent Lives, which is about three young adults, each of whom has an intellectual disability and each of whom displays a nonconventional form of intelligence. I know, I know...I live this film and didn’t really need to see it! My son Jonah has been teaching me this lesson for 25 years now. But the film begs us to take a second look (or a third or fourth!) at people whom we might have dismissed due to some challenge in their lives.

I’ve been asked by Greater MetroWest Federation to participate in an interfaith discussion and viewing of this film next Tuesday with Bishop Michael Saporito from the Archdiocese of Newark. In this age division and discord, this is an opportunity to turn to some of our “comfort books" and see that there are some things that Jews and Catholics all can agree on.  

So, I hope you’ll consider joining us for a great film and meaningful discussion (you can RSVP here). Who knows?  It might become a favorite that you turn to over and over again?!

Shalom,

RAF