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[Klezcorner <Klezcorner...>]

Though not music related, the following can be applied to many discussions
(arguments) that have been carried on the list.
                                                        -----------------
During a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe, when the Shema was
said, half the congregants stood up and half remained sitting.

The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down,
and the ones standing yelled at the ones sitting to stand up. The rabbi,
learned as he was in the Law and commentaries, didn't know what to do. The
old cantor suggested the rabbi consult a housebound 103 year old man, who
was one of the original founders of the temple.

The rabbi hoped the elderly man would be able to tell him what the actual
temple tradition was. So he went to the nursing home with a representative
of each faction of the congregation. 
 
The one whose followers stood during Shema said to the old man, "is the
tradition to stand during this prayer?" The old man answered, "No, that is
not the tradition".

The one whose followers sat asked, "is the tradition to sit during the
Shema?" 

The old man replied, "No that is not the tradition." 

Then the rabbi said to the old man, "The congregants fight all the time
yelling at each other about whether they should sit or stand..." 

The old man interrupted, exclaiming: "That is the tradition!" 

Enjoy !

Simon
Hatikvah Music
436 N. Fairfax Ave.
Los Angeles, Ca 90036
213)655-7083
Klezcorner (at) aol(dot)com