In the spirit of V’nahafoch hu, Mishpacha contributors share the axioms they were sure of…until they weren’t
As told to Yael Schuster
Several years ago, I heard about a new phenomenon — musical Selichos on the first night of Selichos. I rolled my eyes. It sounded like Uman for people who couldn’t afford to go or whose wives wouldn’t let them. I didn’t get either one — not Uman, not musical Selichos. And to be honest, I didn’t have much interest in investigating further.
In my mind, it was one thing if you’re a serious Breslov chassid — then fine, go to Uman. But this la-di-da, sing-and-dance-your-way through the Days of Awe seemed like such anathema to what Yiddishkeit really is. This feel-good, kumbaya mentality, seemed to me nothing but superficial counterfeit candy. So I mentally dismissed the entire movement.
But I had this gnawing feeling that somehow, I must be missing something. After all, in the case of Uman, tens of thousands of Jews pack up and go to some backwater village in Ukraine. Whatever for?
So one year, on a whim, after Selichos in my shul finished, I scooted over to see the local musical Selichos and observe the scene firsthand. Outside the hall, there were fliers on the floor, and several protesters yelling, “Derech Yisrael Sabba! A bizayon!” and of course, there were some people arguing with them. Others were schmoozing or smoking.
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