Third Light
“>A Chabadnik prepares the Menorah in front of Houston City Hall for the Third Light.
Some time ago, I met a rabbi of Chabad
in front of the Science Center. I told him that while I am not Jewish,
my Pennsylvania Dutch heritage was also a guilt based religion with bad
experience in Germany. I thought it was funny. The rabbi repeated my
remark. He seemed contemplative. I did not know what Chabad was. I
asked him a few questions. Unsurprisingly, each one was answered with a
question. Having lived on the lower east side, I had a vague idea about
the Chassidim. I learned that Chabad is a branch of Chassidism.
in front of the Science Center. I told him that while I am not Jewish,
my Pennsylvania Dutch heritage was also a guilt based religion with bad
experience in Germany. I thought it was funny. The rabbi repeated my
remark. He seemed contemplative. I did not know what Chabad was. I
asked him a few questions. Unsurprisingly, each one was answered with a
question. Having lived on the lower east side, I had a vague idea about
the Chassidim. I learned that Chabad is a branch of Chassidism.
On a later day, I met the rabbi walking across the Yard. I asked him if
I had offended him with my remark about my heritage. He said, “Oh, God
no!” My relief was seasoned with a pinch of surprise.What? A rabbi
shouldn’t say ‘Oh, God’?
My third encounter with Chabad occurred before the Third Light of Chanukah. Not by design. At least not mine.
- previous:
- Weihnachtszeit
- next:
- There’s no place like home.
the guy by the door … » Blog Archive » Third Light
December 19, 2006 @ 12:25 pm
[…] I so much enjoyed schmoozing with Levi that I forgot to take his picture. So if you want to see want caring for the Chanukkiyah looks like, you’ll have to look at last year’s Third Light. I promised Levi he could have the full size picture. Berkoblogs are all under the Creative Commons License – free to Levi’s and non-Levi’s alike. Just click the pic. I may be a goy, but I’m no piker. But, Levi, send me an e-mail anyway. We’ll schmooze. […]