Random Thoughts from a Trip to Boston

Hello Undies. Let me begin with a confession. I have not read all the posts and comments, and though I feel that it would only be proper to read everyone else's thoughts before I post, I believe that if I took this time now to catch up with your writings I will never compose this post. Therefore, I am sorry, I will try to catch up later, and feel free to read no further. I provide below some random thoughts that have crossed my mind this weekend. (By the way, it is so great to see Mermelstein connecting to us and sharing from California).

1. On the corner of Beacon and Harvard when the walk sign turns on there is also a timer underneath. This adds more excitement to crossing the street. Though I was given 40 seconds. I only used 16. In addition, when it is safe to walk there is a constant beeping sound. This beep not only helps the blind cross but also adds to the overall arcade game feel.

2. Thinking of arcade games brought me back to the good old days playing Alex the Kidd, Shinobi, and Astro Warriors on my Sega Master System. While graphics have come a long way these games were much more challenging. This was partially because the save game button was not created yet. One misstep and you would be starting all over again. There is also something endearing about your pitcher being named "Bert" rather than Randy Johnson in Reggie Jackson Baseball. By the way, the secret code to turn yourself into a rocket in Space Harrier was 7437481. This was before the internet was popular and secret codes were passed by word of mouth. It was a Mesorah and knowing them made you an insider. If anyone would like to debate the superiority of Sega Master System over Nintendo Enterainment System (NES) please let me know.

3. Dan Savage is so wise. You all should be reading his weekly column.

4. Google whack is a difficult game. Who would of thought that there were 38 interdenominational kugels, well 39 now. But Undies you should be proud to know that we have our very own google wack. That's right, if you want to know about a “pseudepigraphical mojito” there is only one place to turn. Now I feel bad for the young bright eyed aspirin bartender possibly from my alma mater The Columbia school of Mixology http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccs/bartending/index.html who was asked to write a paper on the ancient pseudopigraphical mojito and only finds this post. Can someone help this guy out and write the brief history of this fine drink and possibly include a recipe.

5. I read an article in the Boston Pheonex called “Pop Fundamentalism: Matisyahu and Madonna embrace a holy plan” Josh Kuhn, the author, was not such a fan of our religious friends. “What I hear on Youth [Matisyahu’s newest album] is one thing we don’t need anymore of right now; religious fundamentalism even if it comes with catchy pop hooks…The issue is the ever growing pull of religion and faith itself – how powerful beliefs in the unknown get lived as real and in worst cases, get turned into civic, social, and political policies.” If you are looking for an honest critic of Matisyau’s music Mr. Kuhn may not be the right man. Nonetheless, he raises some interesting issues. I am jealous of Mr. Kuhn who in his article can dismissively mock Rabbi Rafael Cohen for “his best Pat Robertson impersonation” when he said that Madonna will be severely punished for using the great sage Rabbi Issac Luria’s name in vein in her Confessions. I, of course, reject Rafael Cohen as well but first I get angry at such stupidity, I ask what halacha is she breaking, and I get angry at religion. [As I wrote the last sentence I came up with the following responses: Toby, why do you reject Cohen so quickly. Calling it stupid isn’t a very sophisticated critique? What do I mean what sin? Haven’t I ever heard of kivod hatorah or kivod Talmud chacham, And, Mr. Kuhn is angry too] Nonetheless, I include my gut reactions to show how I naturally respond to religion that does not fit with my sensitivities. (To Sarah who has been pushing me to write though I prefer oral communication – I guess writing allows me to refine my thoughts) Now a more refined reaction to Rafael Cohen: I don’t really believe in hashgacha prati nor should anyone who takes an honest look at occurrences in this world so your statements seem quite extreme and ridiculous, Even if I did I have know reason to believe that this was such a grievous sin. Oh and stop being such an idiot you stupid idiot.

Kuhn is angry at religion for its social and political policies which are influencing his life but the beliefs he can simply dismiss. I read Cohen’s comments and I feel a need to respond, to reject his approach to religion all over again and to establish my approach as superior. Kuhn as a secularist simply laughs at the ideas as long as they don’t effect him , but I connect to the religious values if not the ideas that Cohen is promoting. I therefore get angry that Cohen can even promote such naïve beliefs. But why should I care when Cohen and I are celebrating two completely different religions. [In truth, if Cohen’s ideas work for him than I have no problem with him living his life that way. In fact, I think he should Rather, there is something in his idea that I don’t like, which doesn’t work for me and I must reject. And though I recognize that we each are merely developing systems I find a need to argue the superiority of my system in almost objective terms (sorry fruitcake but this paradox just doesn’t bother me. We are not intellectual beings when we develop our systems but more emotional)] Cohen allows his “belief in the unknown” to be lived as real and effect his views. I too choose to accept the Torah, keep the mitzvoth (for the most part) but these beliefs do not effect my social and political views (for the most part). I fully endorse gay marriage and fine the idea that there is even a debate repulsive. I fear that the confirmation of Alito will infringe on our civic rights. Do what you want as long as you don’t hurt others is my basic mantra, though I accept for myself more. Six years ago I came up with the following apologetic distinction between Judaism and secular culture. While secular morals was do as you want as long as you don’t hurt others, Judaism believed that you must reach your highest potential or else you are being immoral. If you don’t reach your highest potential you are being unfair to the community. I used this as an explanation of why homosexuality is wrong for thy are not reproducing and creating a family. I fine this application naïve now as I believe homosexuals can build beautiful loving families which can play an important role in any community. Nonetheless, I still like the basic distinction

I am angry when Kuhn is not because I get so many values from my religion such as family, community and a drive to be better. But Unlike Cohen I don’t let the “belief in the unknown” effect not only social political views where others are effected (Kuhn’s critique) but also my personal moral values. My God does not define morality and though I get many great supplemental values from religion when there is a conflict the religion, “the unknown”, will lose.

6. (or 5B) Sarah has said that she believes that she has something in common with our Lakewood friends. The drive to reach your highest potential and make the most of your time (whether that is displayed though stressing bitul Torah or making sure to read good novels). She says her secular friends in Harvard due not share this motivation. She finds these shared values very compelling and to connect to her Jewish family though attending minyans and donning skirts. That guy who is fruitier than a fruitcake also seems driven by this motivation. He wants to change the world. I 1used to be driven by such an idea but eventually rejected it because it wasn’t making me happy. It made me feel like I would never succeed. There is no ultimate goal point when you are accomplished. Instead I decided to live in the moment. I made close friends and built what I like to view as a community. We are here for each other and help each other out. How beautiful. What if it does not last I am asked? Won’t it be a waste if we all move to different places and don’t stay in touch? I respond that what we created is beautiful and worthwhile even for the moment. If it does not last it was still worthwhile and I will do it again wherever my life takes me. At times I feel like I should be living the moment and other times I feel like I must be striving for more. I seem to jump from one to the other but don’t know how to integrate both together at the same time. Similarly, I don’t want to be dependent on my friends but don’t want to not need them either.

7. (or 5C) In the Metrodox article http://www.jewsweek.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El711&enZone=Stories&enVersion=0&

the metrodox’s are described as filled with religious guilt. While I probably wouldn’t eat fish in a non-kosher restraint, I wouldn’t feel guilty if I did. I got rid of religious guilt a long time ago. I didn’t find it useful so I created a system where it doesn’t exist. (I feel guilt and value it for when I wronged others. It is only the religious type I have no need for) Religion has become for me more about community. (Cohen has a more personal God and for that I can be jealous at times.) If I break Halacha it is because my desires are strong or because I value something else more. For example, being a proper host is more important than the rules of yichud. Either way I don’t feel religious guilt, but only in the latter am I not breaking the universal life church’s creed of “Do only that which is right.” Finally, a truly Jewish value.

8. Everyone is invited for a 10:30 Purim Brunch to my place 495 W 187^th st apt 3e