March 2008 Archives

Many months ago, I was passing though the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle and saw that not only was there something called "Jazz at Lincoln Center" but that Dave Brubeck and Ramsey Lewis were playing in one concert. Despite my eclectic taste in music I've never been much of a Jazz person, but even I've heard of and appreciate Dave Brubeck and Ramsey Lewis as two of the living legends of Jazz. You've probably heard of Dave Brubeck's most well-known work Take Five. I barely missed hearing Dave Brubeck a few years ago in Seattle and I jumped at the opportunity to hear him in NY.

Dave Brubeck first stepped to the microphone to make a small correction in the program. Instead of being 83 as listed, he was actually 87 and joked, "how time doesn't fly." Later he displayed some more of his humor describing how he wrote the song "London Sharps, London Flats" and dedicated it to his manager after a particularly difficult European tour:

You'll notice how my right hand goes up the keyboard on the sharps and my left one goes down on the flats.

It sounds terrible.

On purpose.

Of course it didn't sound that bad. Actually I hope I can play the piano that well when I'm 87.

Ramsey Lewis may not be as familiar, but is well known for jazz arrangements of other songs. Perhaps the most recognizable piece being a cover of Dobie Gray's "The In Crowd," but he also included a jazz cover of the Beatles' In My Life.
While Dave Brubeck's pieces played with chord structures and time signatures Ramsey Lewis' music more more rhythmic incorporating jazz, blues, gospel, and even a calypso riff.

Anyway, with everything else that's been going on this week, the timing (so to speak) couldn't have been better.

Identifying divine providence or hashgacha, if we're being honest, is a tricky endeavor. Virtually any event can be attributed to free will just as easily as it can be to divine intervention, and I covered some of these views in one of my shiurim. Not only is our attitude towards events subjective, but even if we assume a "divine plan" it could take many years for this plan to unfold. I once gave a derasha pointing out that even Yosef Hatzaddik was relatively shortsighted in his view of hashgacha. As Yosef assuages his brother's fears he tells them, "you intended for bad, but God intended for good; to have such a day to sustain a large nation" (Bereishit 50:20). As we know the descent into Egypt plays a much larger role in the Jewish story beyond Yosef's limited perception. Furthermore, we recently read about the hidden divine role in Megillat Esther, the narrative of which which took place over the course of several years.

On the other hand, observing apparent instances of hashgacha immediately can have a profound effect on our outlook. Case in point, earlier today I had an appointment at 5:00 PM on the Upper West Side. On a normal Wednesday I would need to rush out of the downtown office, and depending on how well the 1 and 2/3 trains synch up, barely make it in time. But today, having more time on my hands than usual, I decided to head down earlier than usual and read outside on one of the benches in the middle of the pedestrian islands on Broadway. As I sat down to open the book¹ I noticed an elderly woman physically struggling with a younger person who seemed to be trying to help the older one. The exasperated younger woman explained that elder one had a history of dementia and tried to cross the street against the light to get away from her and asked for help in trying to get her to sit down on the bench.

Initially I just tried to diffuse the situation by talking to the elder woman, and eventually did get her to sit down though she was still very distraught. But as I was sorting out things with her aide, she said three very familiar words: "ata medaber ivrit?" As it turns out she was Israeli, initially from Tel Aviv, and a whole lot more lucid when conversing in Hebrew. Without getting into the details I spoke to her in Hebrew, calmed her down, and despite her claims of being completely fine, convinced her to go with the medics to Mt. Sinai hospital.²

While I have no idea what would have happened if I hadn't been there, I do realize that had I not been laid off I wouldn't have been there to help both her and her aide.

And the great thing is that this story of hashgacha is just beginning.

1. In an amusing irony, the book I was reading was The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable.
2. She wanted me to come with her, and I might have if I didn't have the appointment (which I made with one minute to spare...again).

Dear Loyal Readers,
It's been a while since I've done a personal post, mostly because there hasn't been much going on worth reporting. Then again I suppose you could say I haven't blogged regularly (even by my standards) since I changed jobs in accordance with their internet policies. At any rate this last part is now moot since my position at JPMC no longer exists, i.e. eliminated, downsized, or whatever term is in fashion these days.

While the result is similar to being fired, my current circumstances are really not as severe all things considered other than looking for another job. It was a good run at JPMC - I may be applying to other positions there - and I'm looking forward to resetting priorities and approaching the next challenges and opportunities.

In the meantime, I'm brushing up computer and Rabbinic resumes and hope to use the time productively. Of course any leads would be greatly appreciated...

As one might expect most of my outlook on Judaism has been influenced by my father. Also nearly as obvious is that my father's outlook has been extensively influenced by his own teacher Hakham Jose (Yosef) Faur. I have just been informed of a new website for Hakham Faur which includes several articles available for download. Though not not fully comprehensive there are some excellent ones up there, including Anti-Maimonidean Demons (PDF) in which I happen to be footnoted.

The discerning reader will notice differences between Haham Faur's, my father's, and my own writings (aside from the drastic dropoff in scholarship and sophistication as found on this blog). What was transmitted to me at least was more of a system of thought which could then be applied elsewhere, but will differ based on individual experiences.

Enjoy!

The Jewish Week reports the "breaking news" that R. Hershel Schachter has once again made irresponsible and controversial statements. From a YouTube clip taken at Yeshiva Hakotel R. Schachter was to have said:

First you have to know what the army is going to do. If the army is going to destroy Gush Katif, there's no mitzvah to destroy Eretz Yisrael...If the army is going to give away Yerushalyim [Jerusalem], then I would tell everyone to resign from the army - I'd tell them to shoot the Rosh Hamemshalah [Prime Minister]," which prompted laughter from his audience...No one should go to the army if they [the army] are doing aveirus [sins]...We're talking if the army is seeing to it that the country is secure, if they're doing the right thing. I'm not sure if the army is doing the right thing...we have to look into that.

This is not the first time R. Schachter has made controversial or irresponsible statements, but rather one in a pattern of such remarks which leads us to the question of the viability of his Rabbinic leadership.

UPDATE: It has come to my attention that the kosher Subway reviewed in this post is no longer. Read on for what was and could be, but making a special trip would be unwarranted.

Those of you up on the latest in Kosher food scene probably heard about the new kosher Subway in the financial district on 28 Water Street. While this is not the first kosher Subway - there are locations in Brooklyn, Queens, and Livingston NJ - this one just happens to be conviniently across the street from my office. Like many Jews in the area, I thought I'd give it a shot on its first day as part of the tribe.

It's been a while since I was asked to write Mt. Sinai's "Parsha Perspectives," and honestly I wasn't sure if being asked to do Vayakhel of all parshiyot was a compliment. At any rate it was a moot point since I just missed the deadline (one which I hadn't been told of beforehand). Still, here's what would have been printed in the short space allotted.