Muktsa Magazine

Since I am a doctor, I get a lot of magazines for free; some I read, some I dump right away. "Rolling Stone" is usually in the latter category, but for some unknown reason I actually opened mine up to find the centerfold flashing lights at me and playing spooky music. It was a promo for a new TV show! Oh great! It's bad enough I have to deal with perfume samples that inflame my sensitive sinuses, and now this dilemma.

I believe that as a Modern Orthodox Jew its ok to read newsapapers and magazines on shabbos. I don't exactly have the background to learn Talmud all day, and in my boring community with nothing to do on a long summer shabbos day, I like to get through all the reading clutter that's piled up over the week.

I read. That's what I do. Now some Rabbi, somewhere is going to hear about this and issue a halachik warning not to read secular magazines on shabbos, which I'm sure is their agenda anyway. Another muksta thing to worry about. I'll just have to check the magazines ahead of time for music, lighting and other theatrics.

And don't tell me my dogs are muksta...they are my babies, just like my human babies only no Yeshiva tuition. The new addition is doing great, by the way. We named her Lilo. The kids love her, and the older dog is getting used to her.

Please try to open your home to a hurricane rescue pet or any rescue pets. The North Shore Animal League has them here in NY, or if you live in another area, go to Petfinder.