document.write("

Dont be a wuss, you put it front or anywhere else and not worry what people might think $\"\"$

What you SHOULD do, is just stop inviting charedim over, then you will be fine.
holy hyrax | 09.05.07 - 1:12 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ I agree with HH -- you shouldn't associate with anyone who will think less of you for reading those books.
Nate | 09.05.07 - 1:15 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ You can alphabetize your collection and let the chips fall where they may.

That's my attempt at a Solomonic solution anyway.
LubabNoMore | Homepage | 09.05.07 - 1:44 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ HH,

You think that charedim are the only people who would be offended by the books?

Nate,

There is a difference between people thinking less of me (which I don't really care about), and offending people.
Skeptodox | Homepage | 09.05.07 - 2:03 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Lubab,

Good idea, although it kind of evades the thought behind my conflict. (Don't misread me - this isn't keeping me from sleeping at night.)

However, since you brought it up, I like to arrange my books by subject and size. Never really liked the alphabetical thing.
Skeptodox | Homepage | 09.05.07 - 2:05 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Skeptodox,

I hear that. I arrange my books by subject too. That said, I \"hide\" my sci-fi books on the shelf just below waist level. Not hidden exactly but not in your face either. (I am so ashamed...)

It sounds like your conflict is trying to find the sweet spot between \"not discussing religion/politics/money at the dinner table\" and not hiding who you are. The people who's opinions you care about probably scan your shelves. The other guys probably don't.

I hate moving.
LubabNoMore | Homepage | 09.05.07 - 2:41 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ The basement.
One More | 09.05.07 - 3:01 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Lubab,

Good point, and I hate moving as well, although the reason behind my move is awesome.
Skeptodox | Homepage | 09.05.07 - 3:23 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ One More,

1. I don't have a basement
2. No
Skeptodox | Homepage | 09.05.07 - 3:24 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ >You think that charedim are the only people who would be offended by the books?

yes, yes I do. In my experiences, the MO, though not agreeing with me always have an interest in a good discussion without judging me.
holy hyrax | 09.05.07 - 3:27 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ btw- may I ask what your wife thinks of all this? Is she a beleiver or does she have doubts. Im just curious as to how it works for you
holy hyrax | 09.05.07 - 3:29 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Another option is to double stack each shelf, with the kefira books in the back row.
One More | 09.05.07 - 3:30 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ The Louis Finkelstein can go with Heschel and Shapiro, but the Israel Finkelstein has to go in the back. But where do you put the Yitz Greenberg?
SS | 09.05.07 - 3:33 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ more importantly, where does he put the artscroll
holy hyrax | 09.05.07 - 6:00 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ The only stuff I don't put on the visible bookshelves are the NT & Christian missionary stuff (collected a while back when I was interested in polemics). Books on evolution, myth, zen, archaeology, etc, are available for all to see.
zach | 09.05.07 - 6:42 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ Put just enough that a likeminded person could get clued into your thoughts while an innocent would not suspect a thing.

That would probably mean a couple of selective heavy kefirah books with a nice sprinkling of Heschel stuff. Does the regular Orthodox Jew even know who R' Heschel was?
Orthoprax | Homepage | 09.05.07 - 7:18 pm | #

$\"Gravatar\"$ I think that you have the right balance. Real Seforim and 'kefirah light' in the living room. Heavy stuff and artscroll =behind closed doors.

Oddly enough, the more rightwing the shul i go to in my hood, the higher level of kefira that i can get away with reading during layning due to the ignorance of the other mispalelim. (want' Robert Alter from the Gerrer dynasty? $\"\"$
Do Over! | Homepage | 09.11.07 - 3:11 am | #

Commenting by HaloScan

$\"\"$ ");