[HANASHIR:8369] Re: Dr. Seuss

[Adrian Durlester <durleste...>]

Well guess what, Shirona? Ostensibly, I happen to agree with you. It is
unfortunate that we do have to go to great lengths to "sell" Shabbat to our
children (and even to our grown-ups!) However, as our sages taught us, and
as is reiterated in the Pesach Seder each year, we must teach our children
according to their ability to learn and assimilate knowledge. There was a
time when using terms for Shabbat like bride and queen were meaningful to
children. Yet these, too, are creative enhancements to bring deeper meaning
and understanding.

One uses what works. Gd has done no less in encounters with b'nei Yisrael.
Gd often presents miracles in ways they can best be understood by human
beings. should our parenting be all that much different than Gd's?

Does it pain me to see "Sponge Bob Squarepants Shabbat" ? Sure.  But it if
succeeds in turning on even one kid to the magic that is Shabbat, then why
not? But here is my caveat. I think it is incumbent upon us to first try
those things from within our tradition and liturgy and literature and
cultural heritage that are designed to help us teach our children. Only when
we fail with them (and our failure is an honest one, rather than one of
anticipated failure bringing about it's own reward) then we can turn to
other devices.

Shabbat does not need help from Dr. Seuss, but, Shirona, I expect that Queen
Shabbat would graciously accept the help rather than spurn it in righteous
indignation.

Adrian
Adrian A. Durlester. M.T.S.
http://members.home.net/durleste/
Judaic/Ivrit and Music Teacher-Akiva School, Nashville, TN
Music & Choir Director, Congregation Micah, Nashville, TN
Editor, Bim Bam, Torah Aura Productions, Los Angeles, CA
Evening Program Chair, CAJE 26, Aug 5-9, 2001, Colorado state University.

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On
Behalf Of shirona
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 3:57 PM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:8364] Re: Dr. Seuss


I'll start this posting with a disclaimer - I do not wish to offend
anyone...this is just my opinion -

but - - - "Dr. Seuss Shabbat"???  How far is that from  "Mick Mouse
Shabbat"?  I'm just wondering to what lengths ( or depths... ) are we
willing to go, in our desperation to "sell" Shabbat to our children.

Does Shabbat need help from Dr. Seuss?  If so, we are in big, major trouble.

Shirona


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