Sidney B. Silverman was inspired to write his novel "The Wall, the Mount, and the Mystery of Red Heifer" after observing conflict between secular and ultra-Orthodox Jews during a visit to Israel. His other books include "A Happy Life: From Courtroom to Classroom, What Money Can Buy, Divorce Lawyer: A Satyr's Tale, " and "The Pope and a Jack Mormon". Silverman is a retired corporate litigator. After leaving the courtroom behind, he earned a master's degree in philosophy from Columbia University.