Gramercy Park Friday January 20, 2006
As I was walking home, I came across a synagogue facing Gramecy Park, so I decided to go there on Friday night. The service was held in the main sanctuary of an old, but freshly painted building.
For some reason the rabbi decided to give a biography of Yitzhak Rabin. The connection was somewhat tangential. It went something like this -- Our thoughts turn to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who had a stroke two weeks ago. And by the way, speaking of ailing Prime Ministers, a few months ago was the tenth anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Despite the lack of a connection to anything, it was nice to hear though some of the inspiring words of the lat prime minister, especially his address on the White House lawn when the Oslo accord was signed. I tried to remember what Arafat said at the time, and if it came anywhere near the vision of peace described by Rabin. It brought back memories of a naively and perhaps foolishly hopeful time.
When the rabbi started to mention the night Rabin went to what was then called King’s Square for a rally, Ezra, who was at services with his friends leaned over and said to me, “Dad, I think the biography is going to conclude soon.”
I hosted Ezra’s friends for a nice Shabbat dinner, and upon his request taught about the parasha before we sat down to our meal.
Saturday January 21, 2006
Ezra accompanied me. We attended the New York synagogue, housed in temporary quarters while they build next door. Esther Jungreiss, the famous “rebbetezin” was advertised as the featured speaker. Her speech was ok, but I have hear talks which have inspired me more. Cantor, Nathanel Hershtik, the son of the chief cantor of the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem led services. He is young, only 27 years old, and looks just like his father. For some reason, although his voice was good, parts of the service seemed a bit dragged out. He sang the Ein Keloheinu which I love, from the Great Synagogue and which I heard sung many years ago by a child. I asked him about it afterwards, and he told me he was the one who used to sing it, and whom I heard when he was a little boy.
I especially liked the phrase in the synagogue above the ark in Hebrew and English, “It is not in the Heavens.” It is a famous statement from the torah, but more importantly is the punch line of a famous argument amongst rabbis in the Talmud that interpretation of the law is not in heaven.
Especially nice was our walk back. It took over an hour, but the time went quickly as my son and I spoke the whole way back. Then we had some cholent, a great Sabbath treat!
For some reason the rabbi decided to give a biography of Yitzhak Rabin. The connection was somewhat tangential. It went something like this -- Our thoughts turn to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who had a stroke two weeks ago. And by the way, speaking of ailing Prime Ministers, a few months ago was the tenth anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin. Despite the lack of a connection to anything, it was nice to hear though some of the inspiring words of the lat prime minister, especially his address on the White House lawn when the Oslo accord was signed. I tried to remember what Arafat said at the time, and if it came anywhere near the vision of peace described by Rabin. It brought back memories of a naively and perhaps foolishly hopeful time.
When the rabbi started to mention the night Rabin went to what was then called King’s Square for a rally, Ezra, who was at services with his friends leaned over and said to me, “Dad, I think the biography is going to conclude soon.”
I hosted Ezra’s friends for a nice Shabbat dinner, and upon his request taught about the parasha before we sat down to our meal.
Saturday January 21, 2006
Ezra accompanied me. We attended the New York synagogue, housed in temporary quarters while they build next door. Esther Jungreiss, the famous “rebbetezin” was advertised as the featured speaker. Her speech was ok, but I have hear talks which have inspired me more. Cantor, Nathanel Hershtik, the son of the chief cantor of the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem led services. He is young, only 27 years old, and looks just like his father. For some reason, although his voice was good, parts of the service seemed a bit dragged out. He sang the Ein Keloheinu which I love, from the Great Synagogue and which I heard sung many years ago by a child. I asked him about it afterwards, and he told me he was the one who used to sing it, and whom I heard when he was a little boy.
I especially liked the phrase in the synagogue above the ark in Hebrew and English, “It is not in the Heavens.” It is a famous statement from the torah, but more importantly is the punch line of a famous argument amongst rabbis in the Talmud that interpretation of the law is not in heaven.
Especially nice was our walk back. It took over an hour, but the time went quickly as my son and I spoke the whole way back. Then we had some cholent, a great Sabbath treat!
posted by Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt at 6:39 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home