Lunch with My Rabbi – 2025

When I return to Palm Beach for the season, I look forward to catching up with my Rabbi over lunch at Green’s, the local coffee shop. He talks about his recent sermons, and I talk about myself. This year, we had an interesting philosophical discussion about why we all need some variety in our lives. The concept of Hedonic Decline is when the pleasure one enjoys diminishes over time and repeated exposure. For example, the urge to buy a new car when the old one is perfectly comfortable and usable, or buying a new iPhone when the software update is enough. Or even something simple like how that fifth bite of pie is never as good as the first bite.

I do get pleasure from change, but not always. I have an old 1960 Jaguar that I have had for years, and I enjoy it just as much now as when I first bought it. I don’t need a new car every few years. I have older, portable typewriters like the one I am using to type this column—a 1950s Olympia. I only use fountain pens; my oldest is a Parker from my bar mitzvah in 1952. I still get pleasure after all these years out of using and maintaining the old classics. In Maine, at my fishing camp, the closet is full of used military shirts, vintage World War II, collected over the decades from Army and Navy stores that I wear for fishing. Some of my oldest fly rods are made from cane. I think, Rabbi, I am just one of those “vintage” guys who likes things the way they are.