re: Leonard Cohen

[bluecat <bluecat...>]

In an interview with the New York Observer, (posted online at 
nyobserver.com/pages/music.asp) Cohen said the following in reference to both 
Sept 11 and his new album, which was finished a few weeks before then:

""There are people in mourning; there's shock and grief. I really feel that an 
analysis of the situation from any point of view is premature," Mr.  Cohen 
said. "Regardless of what position we come from, we are all involved in some 
kind of way. And, as I say, in the Jewish tradition, one is cautioned against 
trying to comfort the comfortless in the midst of their bereavement.
"The most I can hope for is that the songs in some small way have some utility 
in providing solace," Mr. Cohen said. "Because they are gentle and on the side 
of healing in some sort of way.""

Also:

"The level of suffering that he believes is always present in the world had 
been raised to unfathomable heights. And Mr. Cohen knew better than to try to 
comfort the comfortless.

"You know, there's an ancient Hebrew blessing that is said upon hearing bad 
news," Mr. Cohen said. And then he recited it: "Blessed art thou, king of the 
universe, the true judge," he said, adding, "It's impossible for us to discern 
the pattern of events and the unfolding of a world which is not entirely our 
making. So I can only say that.""