Breaking News

Yep. It's official. I'm engaged. So let me offer an original idea related to the breaking of the glass at the wedding ceremony.

The giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai has been compared to a wedding, to that of the Jewish people to G-d. R. Shimshon ben Tsadok (Tashbets Katan 465) say, "The general rule is that all the customs regarding the bride and groom are learned from the giving of the Torah, when G-d appeared as the groom before His bride, Israel." Parallels are found between a wedding and Mt. Sinai. Just as Moses acted as an intermediary between G-d and Israel, so too matches are arranged through a shadchan. Just like Torah was given on earth, our territory, so too weddings are made in the bride's hometown. Escorts of the bride and groom carry candles recalling the lightning at Mt. Sinai. The mountain held over their head was like a chuppah while the giving of the Torah was like giving the bride a ring. Even the breaking of the glass is compared to breaking of the tablets.

This last parallel is very odd especially when you think about it. The breaking of tablets was a real low point in the relationship between Jewish people and G-d. G-d was betrayed; He was ready to sever all ties with Jews, in fact to destroy them and find a new partner. How is such a negative thought relevant to a marriage and especially at that pinnacle moment of the marriage ceremony itself?

There is a conceptual link between the two 'breakings' which provides a crucial message to the bride and groom. Most newlyweds or couples contemplating marriage have a very idyllic view of marriage. They won't make the same mistakes as their parents, they never will fight. Divorce is not even in their vocabulary for their idealized, envisioned future. And here they are, looking their best, all eyes on them, the world wishing them well and participating in their special moment. What could ever go wrong?

But there is a lesson. The shattering of the glass is a shattering of that idyllic image of a perfect life together in marriage. There are going to be low points, perhaps betrayals on some level. But look at what happened at Mt Sinai. G-d and the Jewish people were able to eventually overcome that devastating moment. They were able to repair their relationship and declare it eternal. History has shown it to be so.

And if such a tragedy could be overcome, let the newlyweds endeavor not to just give up and abandon their partner, but rather renew their commitment to each other in the face of adversity and then their low points could be surmountable as well!

-All this from a divorced guy ;)
-

Adventures in Breslov (Updated)

Lately I have been hanging out at various restaurants, minding mine own business as well as that of everyone else who happens to pass by. Then he appears out of the blue. Tall, Dark... overcoat. I immediately recognize him as the roving Breslov tzedakah collector armed with a myriad of "How-to' books regarding relationships, life, happiness etc. I failed to dive under the table in time when he was already upon me. "Tzedakah for hachnasat kallah (wedding money)," he asked, while wishing me and Tali happiness and Brachah. I give a dollar because I don't like to turn people away empty-handed but the truth is that no one collected money for my wedding (parent company excluded). We had a wedding within our means as should everyone. It's not like a wedding is a life-saving procedure withheld by the evil insurance empire. It's an extra, a frill. In fact, if most people saw what would become of their life after marriage, they would save their money for a lawyer or a good set of earphones for the stereo. But I'm getting off topic here.

Last week, Tzedakah-man gave me mishnah Avot. Not bad for a dollar. Last night, I got the book you see in the photo. A large volume of advice how to live, Breslov style. I tried to make a profit on it once T-man left. I went around the store and up and down the street asking for a two dollar donation for the book but there were no takers. People told me they were saving it for the opening of Indiana Jones movie that night. Can't blame 'em.

But something struck me as hilarious. Look at the title and see if you can figure it out. I'll post the answer next week if no one gets it.

UPDATE:

Kudos to the Feds. Mr. FedUp correctly identified the underlying theme. If said quickly, the title translates as 'Short gleanings from a MORON.' Cassuto originally posited that there was one author with varied ideas and his name was MoHaRon. Luckily, Wellhausen was able to identify the multiple authorship as the work of many bored Breslevs who refused to get a job. Most probably there were four but it is possible there were other contributors. Along came the great redactor Ezra MeBreslov and amended the title so that no one in their right mind would know that this was a work of morons. And since then, every one of us exposed to these books given out at the restaurants, eats it all up.

-