Normally I don't write about politics. This isn't because I'm not interested, but rather because I have nothing particularly strident to say about the matter, which in politics is as good as having nothing at all to say. Back in the day, before things were the way they are, I was quite loud when it came to politics, and probably made quite the nuisance of myself. This wasn't any different than anyone else discussing politics of course, so no one really minded.
Today I find myself thinking more and more about the state of Israel, the good 'ol USA, and the people governing both these countries. If there's one thing that's true in this whole sordid saga, it's that we really don't know what's going on. What's Bibi, Barack, Hilary, Avigdor, David, Tzipi, and all the rest really thinking? I wish I knew. But we don't know, and instead we're left reading articles and listening to talking heads and watching silent heads who all really don't know what's going on either, but they're being paid to say something, and by golly they're going to say it.
So what's there to think? You could go for the "L-rd of Israel neither sleeps nor slumbers" route, which is all well and fine, but it's not particularly interesting. In fact, if you choose to look at the world through this particular prism, what else is there to do? Wake up, brush your teeth... brush your teeth, go to sleep. Not much worrying required. Not much thinking required either.
Alternatively, you could rush headlong into the battle, calling up talk shows with opinions no one's interested in, reading every single pertinent article online and making sure to leave at least three comments on each one, and of course going to mikveh every morning to catch up on the latest gossip. This option has the benefit of being exciting, but that's about it. As much as you talk, you're not going to accomplish anything. All right, a lot of people evidently don't mind uselessly prattling away, but even they would (hopefully) admit that it's a waste of time.
This leaves only one option: angsty posts. Yup.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Less or more
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23 comments:
Did you steal my title?
Yes.
подписываюсь
I get royalties then. What did you think of my post (since you can’t comment on it, since it’s temporarily being edited)?
I didn't read it.
:{>
c:}> (forgot the kipa)
Post it and I'll read it.
Dear Mr. R.S.
Your cynical perspective is quite appropriate in regard to the "real" facts behind world events. As you are no doubt aware, in recent years, for example, actual WWII documents have been released, having passed the 50 years of secrecy required, and they inevitably result in history having to be rewritten as the real facts become known. Rather like no one suspected the identity of "Deep Throat." I suspect the Jews of Babylon didn't know the real story behind Queen Esther until she wrote it either. (Come to think of it, even with her official megillah, there remains some controversy about certain facts.) And the design of the menorah as depicted on the Arch of Titus? On a roll, LdT.
Not to mention the official version that V.I. Lenin died from the arterial sclerosis leading to three strokes, while it was probably syphilis or poison.
A short, yet powerful story I've heard (may come with several variants - don't all holler):
A woman once asked the Rebbe (this was in one of those heated Israeli issues, Camp David or otherwise):
Why is it, that the Rebbe speaks of these various political strategies and improvements to be done in Shleimus HaAretz - to a group of chassidim, some who have no inkling what is being spoke of.. - But definitely, would be more well off speaking to Israeli + US diplomats..?!
The Rebbe replied, I want the chassidim (or bochurim?) to give up their "eigene shtochim".. (=their own territories).
Which basically means, everyone has their own issues which they set aside as their own, and should be "given over" to Hashem's service.. - That it wasn't just on deaf ears, but a point to be taken in Avodas Hashem as well..
(Now, I know that there were those chassidim - and the Rebbe remarked so - who were dozing off, and some good "israeli politics" came up and woke them.. oR those who read the papers as well in the crowd - But I'm speaking from the Rebbe's and aliba d'emes view, and a certain nekuda we can hence learn).
LtD: Of course, at the same time, facts as we know them still have to be dealt with, and in this case, I'm sure many of us are wondering where are true loyalties lie.
CA: Who would poison Lenin?!
Anon: The Rebbe said that he wanted them to give up their territories?
Hmm.
more
re: post
"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
re: Lenin
He looks a bit like Leonardo DiCaprio.
TRS- The Rosh expressed the same feeling of futility at a kinus hatmimim a few years back. He said that when the Rebbe would speak about what's going on in Israel, he would think to himself, "why is the Rebbe spending so much time at farbrengen telling us this? We are bochrim, what can we do about this? Let him speak chassidus!" But he explained that he sees it as the first approach you mentioned (re- "Lo yonum v'lo yishon"), except that we can have an effect. He said the way we spend our time can effect this to be begiluy. By doing Torah/mitzvos here in America we effect the securtiy in Israel.
Ahh yes, the 'ol guilt trip...
I guess you can say that.
Ach, I recall one of my teachers going on about what a wonderful speaker Obama is and wondering if she listened to his words as much as she went by her impression of him.
Anyhoo, yeah for angst, keeps the black eye-liner companies in business.
anon - (this is without hollering) i think what you meant to say is that the Rebbe said we should NOT give up the shtachim - meaning the small things which we sometimes consider unimportant.
Anyway trs - so wers the angry post?
I think i have a fourth way...but im still working on it.
What angry post?
oh angsty! i misread it.
Nu nu, zul zein.
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