Saturday, October 27, 2007

The mysteries of...(the ellipsis?)

So much to write, so little patience to write it. I'll try and get to some recent comments first, and then deal with a little spiritual shtuff. The former editor asks if my real name is taboo on this site. If someone was really interested they could find it out anyway, so don't worry about it too much. To Shillibeer, not only do I not know who you are, I fear that you misunderstood my intentions. It was Chaim who Farbrenged with us, not Manis. Though both are excellent, I agree. As to the Rockies, yes, they're more like the Rusties. Has that joke been made 400 times already? Nu Nu. LD deals more with the content (finally, someone pays attention!) and appreciates the subtle intentions with which I lovingly infuse each and every thought. Oh right, and Mr. CCL, yes, very professional. Like everything you inspire (awwhh). And one last quickie, again for the former editor, yes, you should go (have gone?) to sleep. Naps on Shabbos afternoons are killers, stalking their prey silently, striking when the guard is down, pouncing quickly and slowly sticking their teeth into the napes of the necks of the; oh, sorry, I confused them with cheetahs.
And now the spiritual love. When I was a young child, back in YOEC, I heard something so good that I still remember it. The Rosh (Our fearless leader) gives a speech every Shabbos, and four years ago yesterday was no exception. The Haftora for Parshas Vayera deals with the Shunamite woman who Elisha first promises a child and then brings back to life. The child I mean. Sephardim only read the Haftora half-way, up to the point where she (the woman) tells her husband not to worry about the dead kiddie. Ashkenazim read the whole thing, up until the actual resurrection. Lubavitch normally follows the Sephardim rite, but for this Haftora we read according to the Ashkenazic version. Why? Hold on a second, you'll soon find out. See, Sephardim are big believers. In fact, they'll believe anything you tell them (how do you think I go that bridge off my hands?) which is a beautiful thing. On the other hand, Ashkenazim are a bunch of skeptical Apikorsim. So, obviously, Chabad wants to believe. But in this Haftora, we follow the Ashkenazim, because it deals with redemption, and when it comes to redemption, we don't want just to be told that it's all going to be good, we want to see the redemption.
Isn't that beautiful? I certainly thought so.

17 comments:

e said...

" And one last quickie, again for the former editor, yes, you should go (have gone?) to sleep. Naps on Shabbos afternoons are killers, stalking their prey silently, striking when the guard is down, pouncing quickly and slowly sticking their teeth into the napes of the necks of the; oh, sorry, I confused them with cheetahs"

Great metaphor! that describes exactly what happened to me yesterday, the nap just snuck up on me, and before I knew it I was hoplessly in his power. the end of the stroy is that I stayed up till 3:30 last night.

P.S. who was that wise Rosh Yeshiva? i heard the same torah from r. Akiva Wagner in TOronto

Anonymous said...

Golly, will we ever know if Eliezer is his or her real name? Will we ever know if Former Editor actually exists? Anonynimity is all too real on the world wide internet, which is why someone like Shilibeer, who tried to give his identity, is mistaken as an anonymous poster (child).

Don't you remember we had the "word of the day" and if you knew the meaning Foofy would give you a Tofoofy Cufoofy?

Be well, and keep writing memories of the Rosh - there's only one Rosh, Eliezer!

e said...

Dear Shilibeer,

My real name is Eliezer. I am male. I am the former editor. I used to be almighty, but I am no longer.

There. If that's not called renouncing your anonymity, then I don't know what is. I've just told my name and life story to someone named Shilibber

e said...

Oh, how young and foolish I used to be.

Just like a guy said...

Weren't we all (still are)?

e said...

now we can comment on our old comments regarding our older comments.

Just like a guy said...

Ain't this the funnest!

e said...

the superlative is uncalled for.

Just like a guy said...

Ain't it always?

e said...

again with the uncalled for generalizations!

Just like a guy said...

Ain't all generalizations always uncalled for?

e said...

Yet another uncalled for generalization!

In general, if Ax^2 + Bx + C = 0, then x = (-B +/-sqrt(B^2 -4AC))/(2A).

That is a called for generalization.

Just like a guy said...

http://tinyurl.com/yge8jus

e said...

your point?

Just like a guy said...

...is there is no point

e said...

a rather called for generalization, I should think.

Just like a guy said...

Humbly following in your august footsteps...