To me, Jesus was the ultimate Jew — the chosen one of the Chosen People.
My boyfriend BG and I have been totally lackadaisical about every holiday this year. My birthday is July 4th, but instead of going into the city to see the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks spectacular, I fell asleep on the couch before they even showed it on TV. For BG's Halloween birthday, I had all sorts of ghoulish plans, but they all fell through because BG decided to just stay home and party. For Thanksgiving, we ordered up a turkey dinner of dubious quality from the local diner.…
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26 - A Concerned Citizen
cunning as a shit-house rat
Is that a compliment or an insult?
27 - Elvira Black
Shark:
You'll never guess who came down my chimney tonight--Mel Gibson! I think he took a wrong turn somewhere, so I gave him some cookies and a little rum punch and sent him on his way.
Thanks for making me feel a little less like a total dummy--Elvira of the half-Jewish, half-baked ideas...
28 - Elvira Black
Howard:
Thank you! Who knew being clueless could pay off so handsomely? The comments here have been enlightening, to say the least.
29 - Elvira Black
Ruvy:
I'm so glad you responded again. I was afraid I'd offended you in my comment #16. Almost as soon as I'd posted it, I realized I'd offended myself.
Thinking back, there was essentially only one person I knew who fit the snootiness I described: my cousin's wife--but she made a lasting impression on me. Most other Orthodox I've known have been very warm folks.
I think I asked and answered the public assistance issue--at least for myself.
But I'm still curious about the stoning thing--did it really occur? Does it still?
30 - Elvira Black
A Concerned Citizen wrote:
"cunning as a shit-house rat
Is that a compliment or an insult?"
It's kind of an inside joke...the name of my blog is Shithouse rat (as in "crazier than a...")
Why Shithouse rat? Because in addition to my myriad other flaws, I also have bipolar disorder (aka manic depression).
I don't mind admitting I'm crazy, but I never thought of myself as cunning...that does sound a tad sinister.
31 - Donnie Marler
"I don't mind admitting I'm crazy, but I never thought of myself as cunning...that does sound a tad sinister."
LOL! Thanks for the laugh, Elvira. And may I say, you make 'cunning' look spectacular!! :-)
32 - Elvira Black
Thanks Donnie--in addition to admitting owning up to my own stupidity when appropriate, I try to laugh at myself as well. And if all else fails--well, I'm crazy, so what do you expect?
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
33 - G
You know the saying, put two Jews in a room, get three opinions. This is a great discussion and I truly appreciate the weighing in by those who know their history. It's not that your post wasn't eloquently written - it was, but slightly flawed. Kol Hakavod (hats off to you) for opening up a lively discussion though.
34 - Elvira Black
Thanks G!
That reminds me somehow of the old joke that goes something like this:
Q: Why does a Jew always answer a question with a question?
A: Nu, what's wrong with answering a question with a question?
35 - Ruvy in Jeruslem
"Kossar's Bialy's, also on Grand Street, is a good tourist stop too, because it is very hard to find bialys, which I believe originate from the town of Bialystock, though I could be wrong. They make great bagels there too."
Is Ratner's still there? My father, may he rest in peace, used to take me and my cousin Dave there, explaining, that if you ordered pea soup, they would keep bringing rolls till you rolled out the door...
In those days my cousin was opening for the Doors and was as skinny as a rail, and needed every dime he could lay his hands on. He doesn't talk about those days too much...
36 - Elvira Black
Ruvy:
Alas, Ratner's is gone--replaced, I believe, by some fancy bar or bar/restaurant called Lansky's Lounge, as I recall.
I don't know if you remember the Garden Cafeteria (where I.B. Singer used to go) but that's long long gone too.
Yep, you couldn't go wrong at Ratner's with the challah. As I remember, I don't think anyone minded if you took the rest home with you either...lol...
Your cousin opened for the Doors? This sounds like an intriguing story...