Where's My Lampshade?
I am writing before checking emails. I haven't checked email all day. I just came home and sat down to type without looking at who's sent me what messages. The last time I wrote a post after not seeing emails for a while and not peeking before posting was four years ago. The newscaster just announced that it's 5:50, as I was pasting the link to this past post-Passover post I noticed that it was timed in at 5:50 PM. Ah yes, I remember it well.
The oddest commercial just played on CBS radio - sponsored by people who want liquor to be sold in supermarkets in New York. It'll raise 160 million dollars that can be used for schools, they say. Arsenio Hall used to do a routine called Things That Make You Go, "Hmmmm."
While I haven't checked emails, I did see that post before this one got comments from Anne and Kishke. Bless You. I hear what you're saying about the Funny Rabbi thing. It gets me speaking engagements too. Many a rabbi can talk Torah, but not so many can be genuinely - honest to goodness, stand up style funny. The pain is the pigeonholing. I was recently in a community and avoided a man for as long as I could. Eventually I caught his eye and he did what he's been doing for twenty years - he points to me and puts on a heavy fake laugh. Get it? I'm the funny rabbi. Sigh. Still I'll probably stick with the heading as is, you guys made cogent, honest, sincere, helpful points. Thanks.
I don't much feel like writing about the day though it was filled with wrinkles and twists that may be of interest to some. I thank G-d for a chance to teach, to learn, to pray, to be a cog in an important operation, to be kind and even for the chance to discipline and provide structure and boundaries.
Do you want to play?
Beware when that yearning fades
Play tames the darkness
~
Who makes you feel safe?
Where is your favorite place?
I pray you be there.
~
North East Corridor
Felt strange 20 years ago
Here I am again
Riding the train to old friends
Wondering of change
posted by rabbi neil fleischmann @ 5:42 PM
9 Comments:
How'd you know exactly what I do? There are other options, but that's the one I go with.
I particularly like that first haiku. Play makes me think of laughter, and being able to set burdens aside. Things get dark indeed when you lose the desire to play. I've enjoyed many of your recent poems.
I knew b/c I'm a polite guy too, and that's what I would do. Also b/c these guys are often sad cases or challenged in some way, and you don't want to hurt their feelings.
Thanks Kishke for your sensitivity and wisdom. This fellow is a "macher," I don't think he's seen as off (of course the two are not mutually exclusive).
Esquapades, thanks. Play is key. It's powerful. The difference between being playful and serious can be like the difference between forcing a locked door and jiggling it...
I am always appreciative of feedback re my poetry. I am working on an online book, hope to have it ready soon, please G-d 9and please me).
When a "macher" does it, it's either b/c he wants to show that he knows you, and this is his shortcut (since, being a macher, he can't be bothered to really get to know you), or it's b/c he's mocking type of guy, who likes to keep people off-balance. (I.e. a mocker macher.) Which is he?
I think you're smart! I think the line between the 2 M.O.'s you describe is a tenuous one.
True, but there is a difference in intent. The first fellow intends his shriveled version of friendliness, the second something else entirely.
And thanks for the nice compliment.
I like that image - the difference of forcing a locked door or jiggling it. I look forward to your book of poetry - I was recently thinking about the fact that you have so many good poems posted on your site that you could compile them - I wish you bracha v’hatzlacha with the project.
Your welcome Kishke, you are smart - I calls 'em as I sees 'em
Esqcapades, a magcian's not supposed to give away his secrets, but... I got that image from the play/movie The Sunshine Boys. Walter Mathau's character has an issue with his door, and though he doesn't listen, his good hearted nephew always tells him to jiggle and not force it. Thanks for the blesing. I think Rabbi Abraham Tweski was about 60 whe he started rolling out hi Jewish books. Everything happens in the right time...
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