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A Major Problem

While I've been here, I've developed a major problem, and I thought it was time to tell all of you...

I have been, well, it's hard to put it — how do I put it?

To put it plainly (the only way to ever put anything), folks: I have a book-buying problem.

When my mother came to visit me in Jerusalem back in January, we were fairly certain I would be coming home with her. Of course, neither of us expected the last-minute phone call from Amnesty International Israel. So, I recall, our last day or two, composed mainly of shipping books back to either my grandmother or to my mom's house.

Oh, and no, no no, when we talk about shipping books, we are most definitely not talking about throwing them in a box and slapping some tape on the seam, no no no. Optimally, to ship a book, books should be protected with cardboard on the front and back, overlapping the sides. Then, the book should be placed into a bubble-envelope, sealed using the self-seal tab, and why not, some extra tape on for good measure. (Method copyrighted Nicholas Croce 2013)

All in all, with my mother's help, around 30 books were shipped from Jerusalem to the Greater Rochester area from December to January. Wonderful, great. I have many friends waiting for me at home. Another bookshelf will be needed, most certainly.

But, my friends, you see, this problem didn't depart with my mom. Since then, I've tried to curb my habit, but a quick count of my bookshelf here in Yaffa shows... over fifteen. And no, these are not your run-of-the-mill trade paperbacks. We are talking about, well, let me give you an idea:

Three TaNaCh (Jewish Bible), one is leatherbound, one is Hebrew-English, another is Yiddish-Hebrew

New Testament, just one, Romanian to English

Two siddurim (Jewish prayer books), one was a gift, another was bought by me at the International Book Fair in Jerusalem, a beautiful copy of Chief Lord Rabbi Sacks of the UK's siddur 

Two Qur'an, one was a freebie at the Bookfair, another is my personal study copy

Then there's a book on Dianetics the Scientologists of Yaffo sold me, the first tractate of the Babylonian Talmud by R. Adin Steinsaltz, et al.

I better get to the post office these coming days and begin mailing once again!

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