Shabbat Table Talk from the desk of Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld
Jan 3-4, 2025 • 4 Teves 5785 • Vayigash (Gen 44-47).
Did you ever hear the one about the Jew who wore two hats?
The punchline is, When was there ever a Jew who did NOT wear two hats?
Certainly not for the past 2,500 years, which is the majority of our history.
For most of Jewish history, we have done this balancing act between two IDs.
For example, we have our Jewish ID, in which we've been living in the year '85 since Rosh Hashanah.
But we also have our .... Christian (yes, I went and said it - Gregorian calendar is from Pope Gregory XII) ID, which just began it's year '25.
We have our Chanukah, with our candles in the window.
But when we to the public Menorah-lighting next to the giant decorated tree, we have our "Jewish Christmas."
But everywhere else, we have "Biblical literature."
For your table, here are some other concepts that can make us wear two hats. Try challenging everyone to come up with the two (or more) versions of each.
Shabbat Shalom
PS - This dichotomized analysis of Judaism was inspired by the above book (click on the image).
The punchline is, When was there ever a Jew who did NOT wear two hats?
Certainly not for the past 2,500 years, which is the majority of our history.
For most of Jewish history, we have done this balancing act between two IDs.
For example, we have our Jewish ID, in which we've been living in the year '85 since Rosh Hashanah.
But we also have our .... Christian (yes, I went and said it - Gregorian calendar is from Pope Gregory XII) ID, which just began it's year '25.
We have our Chanukah, with our candles in the window.
But when we to the public Menorah-lighting next to the giant decorated tree, we have our "Jewish Christmas."
At home, we have the rhythm and richness and tradition of Shabbat.
But outside, we have le weekend.
At home, we have the wisdom of Torah.But everywhere else, we have "Biblical literature."
For your table, here are some other concepts that can make us wear two hats. Try challenging everyone to come up with the two (or more) versions of each.
- Ethics
- Faith
- Kindness
- Miracle
- Peace
- Pleasure
Question for your table: Are we forced to wear two hats, or is it a choice?
Shabbat Shalom
PS - This dichotomized analysis of Judaism was inspired by the above book (click on the image).
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