Re[4]: Der yidisher tam

[richard_wolpoe <richard_wolpoe...>]

Yossl Kurland wrote:
>At a wedding--the most joyous of celebrations-- we break a glass because 
>we are supposed to remember that there is suffering in the world.

Rich Wolpoe repsonds:
The popular explanation is that we should recall the dedtruction of 
Jerusalem during the highpoint of our joy (al rosh simchosi). As a result, 
a custom has been started to sing "Im Eshcochaich" based upon this 
interpretation.

I learned another explanation of this ritual attributed to the late Rabbi 
JB Soloveichik OH.  The reason the glass is broken is to remind us of the 
fragility of life (and possibly of marriage, too!).  So, according to this 
explanation  rather than invoking sadness, it is a stark reminder of how 
tenuous our existence is.

Which brings up another point.  Our cusomts are traditional, and we perform 
them regardless of the reason.  It would be erroneous to discontinue a 
practice based upon our current understanding of it.  That understanding 
itself may be in error and not reflect the TRUE meaning of the custom.

As an illustration, The Joy of Music interprets Mozart's 40th as proof that 
music written in a minor k (g minor) can still be lively and joyful. 
Contrast this with a friend of mine, who while studying for her degree in 
music, insisted that this piece was Mozart's way of crying.  The same 
music, 2 VERY different explanations.

I once heard that since the reaons we cover mirrors during a shivo is due 
to a superstitious belief in "demons"; and therefore this custom should 
now be abandoned.  However, there is also a psychological explanation in 
that we cover the mirrors as a reminder to reflect upon the decesased and 
no to reflect upon ourselves.  Same custom, differnent meanings.

In popular music, there have been widely divergent interpretations of the 
same melodies.  EG Neil Sedaka's Breaking Up Is hard To DO was intepreted 
in 2 radically different ways by the SAME artist! (albeit several decades 
apart).

Of course, some customs come with explanations that are possibly as old as 
the rituals themselves.  That is usually NOT the case.  Therefore, may I 
posit this as a defense or apology for NOT tampering with the customs as 
they are; because they may have layers of meaning that have been forgotten 
or remain to be discovered.  That is to say we may think things are 
continued  simply out of habit.  In reality, they may possess a very solid 
rationale that has been obscured by time.  So no custom should be belittled 
out of hand, they all {potentially} pssess deep meaning.  Others may have 
evolved  meaningful associations despite rather obscure origins.

To change the subject:

Who would think the stoy of a ruler of a mighty fedreation would have a 
parade of virgins coming into his house in order to choose a companion.  
This story is so out of date, so out of touch with our reality how can we 
relate to it today??  It must be antiqauted, archaic!

And who in the 20th century could imagine a chancellor of a powerful empire 
plotting to kill every last Jew, man woman, and child??  Such barbarism is 
not possible in our enlightened age.  Theis is further proof that the 
megillo is an ancient artifact, a fossilized relic out of touch with 20th 
century reality.

Happy Purim (remember that in the end the Jews get to rejoice!)

Rich W.