Act Four: Man In The Mirror
In big families, there's often one kid who always gets blamed when something goes wrong. But Shalom Auslander came from a small family, so the role of fall guy was up for grabs.
Shalom Auslander
Shalom writes a lot about his strict religious upbringing, which doesn't sound like it'd be much fun. But somehow he makes these stories into funny little O'Henry-like fables. If you've never heard him, start with Blessing Bee in show 281.
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Act Five: Chicken Coop For The Soul
A short story about an orthodox Jewish man who dies on the operating table and goes to heaven. Where he meets God.
Act Two: You’re Willing To Sacrifice Our Love
There's a famous William Carlos Williams poem called "This is Just to Say". It's about, among other things, causing a loved one inconvenience and offering a non-apologizing apology.
Commandments One, Two and Three: Honor God
As a boy in religious school, Shalom Auslander is informed that his name, Shalom, is one of the names of God; so he must be very careful not to take his own name in vain. Shalom Auslander is author of Beware of God: Stories and most recently Foreskin's Lament.
Act Three: Waiting For Joe
When you're powerless, you think a lot about the powerful figures above you. Especially when their actions just make no sense.