"Taming of the Shrew" revolves around a pair of sisters who antagonize each other. Bianca is the desire of every man in Padua, yet Katherina is just the opposite. Their father, Baptista, forbids her to wed until her elder sister does so first. As I read "Shrew", Disney kept coming up in my mind. One of Bianca's prominent suitors, Lucentio, resembles Gaston of "Beauty and the Beast". He assumes a man of his status and wealth deserves a girl such as Bianca. He decides with the help of his servants he absolutely must marry her. Among him, many other men try to court the Italian beauty. One of these methods includes intricate disguises in which the men try to earn Bianca's love. Of course, these admirers are quite aware of her father's restrictions. Petruchio was just the hero Lucentio and the others were looking for. He traveled from Verona to seek out a wife whose father will provide him with wealth. Hortensio, another desperate seeker of Bianca's love, offers Katherina as his bride. Although he warns Pertuchio of her rude demeanor, the offer still sounds enticing. Pertuchio develops a scheme in his attempt to tame his acquired bride. Shakespeare craftily mixes a clever wit and insightful commentary on the way people live.
This play is nearly bursting at the seams with relevance. As I said, Disney kept coming back up in my mind. When Baptista and Pertuchio decide that Katherina will be married at once, the discussion prompted me to remember the saltan and Aladdin boasting about how the phony prince would be right fo his Jasmine. Disney's princess and Shakespeare's shrew are a duo of strong-willed women. At first, I thought Katherina's struggle would bring out her inner feminist. When I continued reading the play, I realized her unattractiveness was insignificant. Her bitter nature stemmed from a far deeper plight all humans suffer. Katherina was plainly misunderstood. I believe Katherina was cruel because no one cared for her. Even Baptista favored Bianca. He did not know how to deal with his complex, eldest daughter. Perhaps Hortensio offers the most important advice of all the characters in "Shrew"; if a girl does not seem interested, move on instead of moping with heartbreak. Certainly, the Bard crammed some fairly deep concepts between his jokes.
I recommend this play for a truly experienced fan of Shakespeare. It was not my favorite show of all time, but I believe this is to due to the fact it is really a play. In order to fully enjoy this piece, I feel one must see an actual performance. I am sure that parts I found difficult to comprehend would be much more lucid on stage. Although this play is intended to be a comedy, one can not expect a laugh from every line. In modern cinema, most comic characters are shown continually stupider plunders. "Taming of the Shrew" is written with a more subdued tone. There are moments where Pertuchucio is flamboyantly funny, but the show is also centered around a complex plot that forces a reader to think. It was a challenge to read, but if one feels up to the task they are assured to enjoy a story full of joy and wisdom.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Ancient Israel Was No Democracy
After a while in the desert, it would be expected that the Israelites doubt Moses' leadership. In this week's Torah portion, a man named Korah organizes a few, angry fellows to chastise Moses. They complain to Moses that he overstepped his boundaries. They claim, "You have gone too far!" Moses responds to them by telling them to sacrifice to God. He claims that Korah is the one crossing the line. Witnessing this uprising, God takes action. Suddenly, the Earth swallows Korah and his comrades. God brings them and their possessions into Sheol, the Jewish equivalent of Hell. God's bold discipline causes further panic among the young nation. A mob against Moses and God forms. Although they fear being sent to Sheol, the Israelites find their current situation abusive. They claim that dying in the desert for their rebellion is worth defying God. One man professes that they would die sooner or later anyways. Israel loses faith that they will reach the Holy Land. In haste, God sends a plague to correct this mob's comeuppance. Moses nor God will not stand for disobedience such as that demonstrated in Parshat Korah.
Throughout the Torah, God's personality changes. As Numbers and Deuteronomy progress, God's tendencies are harsher and more rash. In my opinion, God's attitude swing can be reasoned quite logically. I believe the Torah was written by authors based on oral tradition. The last two books of the Torah were most likely written at the turn of the common era. At this time, Judaism's numbers were dwindling due to the rise of Christianity. This population decline caused authors of the Torah to write about a wrathful God. On the other hand, the New Testament illustrates a loving, gentler God. Israel was no democracy. God was considered Master of the Universe and Ruler of the Israelites. Like some rulers, God enforces absolutism. Absolutely no corruption is tolerated under the command of God. How does the slaughter of rebellious subject reflect the image of the Jewish God? Just as God can be strict, I believe God creates beauty. I often ponder the question; Where do I think of God most? Many would say synagogue or while lighting the candles. Whenever I see a sunset, I imagine God. Sometimes I think about how only a master painter like God could make a sky look so spectacular. Occasionally, I just stare in awe trying to recognize how day turns into night and an entirely new world is at my beckoning. God is the only ruler of this Universe, but sometimes that can be a wonderful virtue.
Then again, I am an Israelite's descendant. I see their point. If God is an omnipotent being, why do I stand on an Earth corrupt with hunger, disease, poverty, and all other travesties among men and women? Korah's anger with Moses in this week's portion reminded me of the American government. Often times, I hear people discussing politics. Like Korah, I understand a number of Americans are angry that politicians are driven by the personal gain rather than the betterment of the country. Nowadays, it seems like Democrat-Republican is a rivalry just as much as Yankees-Red Sox. Just like the baseball teams, their feuding drama inhibits progress. When the Yankees come up to Boston, the games stretch for three to four hours. Every election, Americans are promised our imaginable land flowing with milk and honey. After 235 years of democracy, we are still out wandering in the desert. Earlier in the year, my history class studied the decline of Rome. Obviously, we are failing to learn from the Romans. Shakespeare wrote that Julius Caesar's ambition slew him. It could be Obama, Palin, Trump, or Pelosi, politics are corrupt from either side of the spectrum. Instead of being ambitious as an emperor, our leaders need to be ambitious as a nation. To be fair, American citizens need to stop being so skeptical. Change is an experiment. Like all experiments, there is room for improvement. If we refuse to let the government implement change, how can Americans expect progress? Maybe, we all just need to open our eyes and watch the sun set.
Throughout the Torah, God's personality changes. As Numbers and Deuteronomy progress, God's tendencies are harsher and more rash. In my opinion, God's attitude swing can be reasoned quite logically. I believe the Torah was written by authors based on oral tradition. The last two books of the Torah were most likely written at the turn of the common era. At this time, Judaism's numbers were dwindling due to the rise of Christianity. This population decline caused authors of the Torah to write about a wrathful God. On the other hand, the New Testament illustrates a loving, gentler God. Israel was no democracy. God was considered Master of the Universe and Ruler of the Israelites. Like some rulers, God enforces absolutism. Absolutely no corruption is tolerated under the command of God. How does the slaughter of rebellious subject reflect the image of the Jewish God? Just as God can be strict, I believe God creates beauty. I often ponder the question; Where do I think of God most? Many would say synagogue or while lighting the candles. Whenever I see a sunset, I imagine God. Sometimes I think about how only a master painter like God could make a sky look so spectacular. Occasionally, I just stare in awe trying to recognize how day turns into night and an entirely new world is at my beckoning. God is the only ruler of this Universe, but sometimes that can be a wonderful virtue.
Then again, I am an Israelite's descendant. I see their point. If God is an omnipotent being, why do I stand on an Earth corrupt with hunger, disease, poverty, and all other travesties among men and women? Korah's anger with Moses in this week's portion reminded me of the American government. Often times, I hear people discussing politics. Like Korah, I understand a number of Americans are angry that politicians are driven by the personal gain rather than the betterment of the country. Nowadays, it seems like Democrat-Republican is a rivalry just as much as Yankees-Red Sox. Just like the baseball teams, their feuding drama inhibits progress. When the Yankees come up to Boston, the games stretch for three to four hours. Every election, Americans are promised our imaginable land flowing with milk and honey. After 235 years of democracy, we are still out wandering in the desert. Earlier in the year, my history class studied the decline of Rome. Obviously, we are failing to learn from the Romans. Shakespeare wrote that Julius Caesar's ambition slew him. It could be Obama, Palin, Trump, or Pelosi, politics are corrupt from either side of the spectrum. Instead of being ambitious as an emperor, our leaders need to be ambitious as a nation. To be fair, American citizens need to stop being so skeptical. Change is an experiment. Like all experiments, there is room for improvement. If we refuse to let the government implement change, how can Americans expect progress? Maybe, we all just need to open our eyes and watch the sun set.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Shakespeare Series: "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" is a play which contains four stories meshed into one overall plot. First of all, King Theseus of Athens prepares to marry the amazon queen, Hippolyta. In addition to their wedding, Theseus requests that his merchants perform a play at the ceremony. Many scenes include these merchants, such as Peter Quince, Francis Flute, Robin Sterveling, Tom Snout, and Snug. They rehearse for their king while dealing with their occasionally spacey friend named Nick Bottom. As the play continues, readers learn of a second royal couple. Queen Titania, King Oberon, and Robin "Puck" Goodfellow are a trio of mischievous fairies. Meanwhile, four mismatched lovers stow away to the woods. Lysander and Hermia are in love, but Hermia's father disapproves of Lysander. Ironically, Hermia's sister, Helena, falls for Demetrius, the suitor chosen for Hermia. In a turn of events, Robin Goodfellow casts a spell that makes Lysander and Demetrius both fall in love with Helena. From that point, confusion ensues, which makes for a hilarious masterpiece by the Bard.
When I go on the Barnes and Noble website, the Shakespeare books are labeled teenage novels. At first, I found this label quite precarious. How many average teens read Shakespeare's plays in their spare time? "A Midsummer Night's Dream" shed some light on this peculiarity. Through our foursome's romantic predicament, Shakespeare illustrates how a teenager sees love. In an adolescent's eye, everyone seems to be enamored with the wrong person. My sister and I often laugh at the idea of a middle school relationship. Young love does seem like a fairy's magic spell. Like Puck, it is mischievous yet benevolent. Helena expresses strong feelings of jealousy just like any kid growing up. William Shakespeare was no teenager when he wrote "Midsummer". However, the ever-changing interests of Hermia, Helena, Demetrius, and Lysander remind me of what I see at school. Of course, the play ends with a hilarious production by the merchants of Athens.
No reader can go wrong when choosing "A Midsummer Night's Dream". I recommend it to readers of all levels of Shakespeare, especially teenagers. Nick Bottom's blunders always put a smile on my face while Helena's struggle with her self conscious nature touch my heart. Honestly, it takes getting used to the utter confusion of this play. I constantly confused Hermia and Helena throughout the first act. My advice would be to concentrate and really give this hilarious piece a chance. For some odd reason, this play made me picture no stage at all. I could vividly envision the characters and woods. Whether one is looking for a nice laugh or a deep theme, pick up "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and prepare to be taken away.
When I go on the Barnes and Noble website, the Shakespeare books are labeled teenage novels. At first, I found this label quite precarious. How many average teens read Shakespeare's plays in their spare time? "A Midsummer Night's Dream" shed some light on this peculiarity. Through our foursome's romantic predicament, Shakespeare illustrates how a teenager sees love. In an adolescent's eye, everyone seems to be enamored with the wrong person. My sister and I often laugh at the idea of a middle school relationship. Young love does seem like a fairy's magic spell. Like Puck, it is mischievous yet benevolent. Helena expresses strong feelings of jealousy just like any kid growing up. William Shakespeare was no teenager when he wrote "Midsummer". However, the ever-changing interests of Hermia, Helena, Demetrius, and Lysander remind me of what I see at school. Of course, the play ends with a hilarious production by the merchants of Athens.
No reader can go wrong when choosing "A Midsummer Night's Dream". I recommend it to readers of all levels of Shakespeare, especially teenagers. Nick Bottom's blunders always put a smile on my face while Helena's struggle with her self conscious nature touch my heart. Honestly, it takes getting used to the utter confusion of this play. I constantly confused Hermia and Helena throughout the first act. My advice would be to concentrate and really give this hilarious piece a chance. For some odd reason, this play made me picture no stage at all. I could vividly envision the characters and woods. Whether one is looking for a nice laugh or a deep theme, pick up "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and prepare to be taken away.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Was There A Better Way?
Over the past week, I spent my time touring Washington D.C., the nation's capital. I viewed monuments, museums, and memorials. Among these sites, we toured the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. FDR numbered many accomplishments over his sixteen year administration. He was the only president to be reelected four times. How did he do it? Some would call him the father of the greatest generation that ever lived. He lifted a nation out of a depression through his innovative New Deal and defeated evil in its most triumphant hour. One ink blot lay on Roosevelt's impressive resumé. While World War II put democracy into jeopardy, Roosevelt overlooked the horrid tragedy of the Holocaust. Until 1944, our nation's leader was very hesitant to take action against the genocide occurring in Nazi Europe. At least, I thought Roosevelt was unfairly ignoring the Jews of Europe. It turns out he did a lot more than meets the eye.
I can honestly state that Roosevelt was not antisemite. How can a man juggle a economic sinkhole, a grievous war, and a genocide at the same time? Even Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis gives this president credit for trying to prevent Hitler from rising to power. Contrary to Winston Churchill, Roosevelt demanded Hitler be taken down from the first year of his presidency. While Congress refused to allow Roosevelt to lift particular quotas set in the 1920's, he helped Jewish refugees obtain visas in a more efficient way. People constantly came to Roosevelt with plans of ending the Holocaust. Contemporary historians discredit Roosevelt thinking he simply refused to listen to the American Jews. Contrary to this theory, Roosevelt took the time to go over each plan carefully. Taking these plans into consideration, he placed defeating Nazi Germany as a higher priority, even though Japan was a larger threat. He denied the American attempts to put an end to genocide in order to win the war. Roosevelt felt that defeating Hitler would bring Nazism to its end. He knew if Hitler was kept alive, his philosophies would also remain vivid. Franklin Roosevelt did not hate Jews, but developing a plan to save them was a difficult task.
These feats shed light on Roosevelt's views of the Holocaust, but many of his policies were executed too late for the Jews to be saved. Our thirty-second president's greatest impediments were Congress and the American public. Franklin and Eleanor pitied the persecution of Germany's Jews, but Americans did not. Of course, how could a nation with 25 percent unemployment worry about policies overseas? In his first term, Roosevelt's priority was to uplift the country of its depression. Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover diminished the legacy of Woodrow Wilson throughout the 1920's. By 1932, the nation's greatest success story was Babe Ruth calling his shot in Wrigley Field. The legislative branch of the United States found it skeptical that Jews would find jobs in 1930's America. By the start of the European war in 1939, there were over 4 million Jews already displaced by the Third Reich. How could Roosevelt obtain visas for 4 million Jews? Presidents, like other leaders, must make tough decisions. Turning away persecuted Jews for the sake of his nation was part of Roosevelt's job. Unfortunately, Roosevelt hardly made an effort to liberate concentration camps until 1944. Luckily, he refused to bomb Auschwitz and the other death centers. Over half the world's Jews died from 1933 to 1945, but Roosevelt tried his best to save as many as he could.
Personally, I feel he waited too long. The evidence I provide may contradict my opinion, but the way Roosevelt ignored this genocide for so long makes my heart wrench. On the other hand, it got me thinking. How can you judge a president based on one policy? Obama and Roosevelt are very alike. They are Democratic presidents who were inaugurated when our nation was inundated with problems. So far, both of these men worked with economic pressures, national insecurity, and a skeptical American public. Jews were up in arms as Obama discussed Israel with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Is Roosevelt truly to blame when we here that six million Jews were slaughtered in the Holocaust? Is Obama to blame when the death toll of the Darfur genocide is released?
Works Cited
Vanden Heuvel, William J. "America, Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Holocaust." Franklin D. Roosevelt - American Heritage Center, Inc. 2007. Web. 11 June 2011..
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "Franklin Delano Roosevelt." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 6 Jan. 2011. Web. 11 June 2011..
I can honestly state that Roosevelt was not antisemite. How can a man juggle a economic sinkhole, a grievous war, and a genocide at the same time? Even Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis gives this president credit for trying to prevent Hitler from rising to power. Contrary to Winston Churchill, Roosevelt demanded Hitler be taken down from the first year of his presidency. While Congress refused to allow Roosevelt to lift particular quotas set in the 1920's, he helped Jewish refugees obtain visas in a more efficient way. People constantly came to Roosevelt with plans of ending the Holocaust. Contemporary historians discredit Roosevelt thinking he simply refused to listen to the American Jews. Contrary to this theory, Roosevelt took the time to go over each plan carefully. Taking these plans into consideration, he placed defeating Nazi Germany as a higher priority, even though Japan was a larger threat. He denied the American attempts to put an end to genocide in order to win the war. Roosevelt felt that defeating Hitler would bring Nazism to its end. He knew if Hitler was kept alive, his philosophies would also remain vivid. Franklin Roosevelt did not hate Jews, but developing a plan to save them was a difficult task.
These feats shed light on Roosevelt's views of the Holocaust, but many of his policies were executed too late for the Jews to be saved. Our thirty-second president's greatest impediments were Congress and the American public. Franklin and Eleanor pitied the persecution of Germany's Jews, but Americans did not. Of course, how could a nation with 25 percent unemployment worry about policies overseas? In his first term, Roosevelt's priority was to uplift the country of its depression. Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover diminished the legacy of Woodrow Wilson throughout the 1920's. By 1932, the nation's greatest success story was Babe Ruth calling his shot in Wrigley Field. The legislative branch of the United States found it skeptical that Jews would find jobs in 1930's America. By the start of the European war in 1939, there were over 4 million Jews already displaced by the Third Reich. How could Roosevelt obtain visas for 4 million Jews? Presidents, like other leaders, must make tough decisions. Turning away persecuted Jews for the sake of his nation was part of Roosevelt's job. Unfortunately, Roosevelt hardly made an effort to liberate concentration camps until 1944. Luckily, he refused to bomb Auschwitz and the other death centers. Over half the world's Jews died from 1933 to 1945, but Roosevelt tried his best to save as many as he could.
Personally, I feel he waited too long. The evidence I provide may contradict my opinion, but the way Roosevelt ignored this genocide for so long makes my heart wrench. On the other hand, it got me thinking. How can you judge a president based on one policy? Obama and Roosevelt are very alike. They are Democratic presidents who were inaugurated when our nation was inundated with problems. So far, both of these men worked with economic pressures, national insecurity, and a skeptical American public. Jews were up in arms as Obama discussed Israel with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Is Roosevelt truly to blame when we here that six million Jews were slaughtered in the Holocaust? Is Obama to blame when the death toll of the Darfur genocide is released?
Works Cited
Vanden Heuvel, William J. "America, Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Holocaust." Franklin D. Roosevelt - American Heritage Center, Inc. 2007. Web. 11 June 2011.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "Franklin Delano Roosevelt." United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. 6 Jan. 2011. Web. 11 June 2011.
Friday, May 27, 2011
The Rage of War
Before this week, it was a mystery to me how the book of Numbers got its names. As I started to read Parshat Bamidbar, it all started to make sense. This less popularized book of the Torah starts with a census. God called on Moses to count the number of Israeli men who could bear arms. Hence, it was named Numbers. In addition to counting the number of these men, God commands Moses to do a census of the Levites above the age of one month, and then specifically the Kohanim. The Levites are known as the priestly tribe of ancient Israel, which is probably why there was a specific census dedicated to them. However, why did God demand Moses back track to the age of one month or above? How can a one month old child even be recognized in the priestly class? Anyways, Numbers so far is ironically about Numbers.
Parshat Bamidbar becomes very repetitive as one reads along. According to the portion, each tribe's chieftain created a census which lists name by name, the men who are both above twenty and able to bear arms.Why is it important to bear arms? At this point in the Torah, the Israelites are not far into the wilderness. I believe God is preparing them for their departure. In fact, God is creating the first Israeli Defense Force. If any foreign tribe attacks these travelers, God wants them to be ready to retaliate. I found it interesting how God abruptly changes the census tasks from one of a future army to the counting of the Levites. It is almost as if religion and war are closely related in the eyes of God. Perhaps, I am reading into to it too much. On the other, I may not be. Who knows how God thinks or expresses said thoughts?
I definitely believe God is in favor of peace over war. The only reason I could see that God would need to count those who could bear arms is one involving foreign attackers. God is omnipotent to a point. In my opinion, God can not control free will. Therefore, God can only help protect the Israelites. God can not stop their foes.At every Friday night service, my synagogue recites Shalom Rav, the prayer for peace in Israel and the the world. Contrary to what we pray for, Israel is still in a state of danger. Will there ever be a time when Israelis are not forced into the army or need an army at all. Of course, the Middle East is a hotbed of religious tension nowadays. Jews believe Israel was stolen from them when they were exiled by ancient Rome. Some but not all Muslims feel the creation of Israel is an extension of the Medieval Crusades by the West. I am not quite sure if either side can justify its argument. I know that religions preach peace for the most part. I just do not experience their lessons in action as I turn on the evening news. Since God can not bend the powers of free will. Hopefully, the true teachers of peace can bring us out of the darkness of war.
What are my thoughts on war? I can say that for the most part nobody approves of war. In my eyes, even the "bad guys" in a conflict are against ruthless fighting. What about Momar Gadafi? Even he does not want war, he just uses war as an outlet for his desire for power. It may seem far fetched, but I feel war is getting less brutal overtime. For instance, neighbors rarely fight against each other anymore. Back in the Dark Ages, life was about surviving. If one did not starve to death, invaders were always a thought in the back of one's mind. Nowadays, people live in communities and defend each other. Then again, can war get any better? Mass amounts of fighting and killing are despicable no matter how war develops. Maybe war is increasing in its disgust. Imagine the difference between Medieval sword-fighting knights and the armed forces of the United States. Religion is not at fault for the conflicts of today. I believe it is merely an excuse. For example, a person may not like me. That is perfectly okay because I know the entire world is not going to love me. It bothers me when that person is asked, "Why do you not like Adam anymore?" and their response brings up my Judaism. The person in this example is hiding their true reasons by the blinders of hate. I will conclude with a thought on war. Today, the United States is spending billions or maybe trillions of dollars on their military. If the cost of war is so high, why are we wasting our money on it? Why not use that money for NASA anymore? War not only inhibits our ability to come together as a society, but it prevents our ability to advance as one.
Parshat Bamidbar becomes very repetitive as one reads along. According to the portion, each tribe's chieftain created a census which lists name by name, the men who are both above twenty and able to bear arms.Why is it important to bear arms? At this point in the Torah, the Israelites are not far into the wilderness. I believe God is preparing them for their departure. In fact, God is creating the first Israeli Defense Force. If any foreign tribe attacks these travelers, God wants them to be ready to retaliate. I found it interesting how God abruptly changes the census tasks from one of a future army to the counting of the Levites. It is almost as if religion and war are closely related in the eyes of God. Perhaps, I am reading into to it too much. On the other, I may not be. Who knows how God thinks or expresses said thoughts?
I definitely believe God is in favor of peace over war. The only reason I could see that God would need to count those who could bear arms is one involving foreign attackers. God is omnipotent to a point. In my opinion, God can not control free will. Therefore, God can only help protect the Israelites. God can not stop their foes.At every Friday night service, my synagogue recites Shalom Rav, the prayer for peace in Israel and the the world. Contrary to what we pray for, Israel is still in a state of danger. Will there ever be a time when Israelis are not forced into the army or need an army at all. Of course, the Middle East is a hotbed of religious tension nowadays. Jews believe Israel was stolen from them when they were exiled by ancient Rome. Some but not all Muslims feel the creation of Israel is an extension of the Medieval Crusades by the West. I am not quite sure if either side can justify its argument. I know that religions preach peace for the most part. I just do not experience their lessons in action as I turn on the evening news. Since God can not bend the powers of free will. Hopefully, the true teachers of peace can bring us out of the darkness of war.
What are my thoughts on war? I can say that for the most part nobody approves of war. In my eyes, even the "bad guys" in a conflict are against ruthless fighting. What about Momar Gadafi? Even he does not want war, he just uses war as an outlet for his desire for power. It may seem far fetched, but I feel war is getting less brutal overtime. For instance, neighbors rarely fight against each other anymore. Back in the Dark Ages, life was about surviving. If one did not starve to death, invaders were always a thought in the back of one's mind. Nowadays, people live in communities and defend each other. Then again, can war get any better? Mass amounts of fighting and killing are despicable no matter how war develops. Maybe war is increasing in its disgust. Imagine the difference between Medieval sword-fighting knights and the armed forces of the United States. Religion is not at fault for the conflicts of today. I believe it is merely an excuse. For example, a person may not like me. That is perfectly okay because I know the entire world is not going to love me. It bothers me when that person is asked, "Why do you not like Adam anymore?" and their response brings up my Judaism. The person in this example is hiding their true reasons by the blinders of hate. I will conclude with a thought on war. Today, the United States is spending billions or maybe trillions of dollars on their military. If the cost of war is so high, why are we wasting our money on it? Why not use that money for NASA anymore? War not only inhibits our ability to come together as a society, but it prevents our ability to advance as one.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
It was early on a Monday morning. I was just waking up after I crashed on the couch. A combination of just finishing my production of "West Side Story" and allergies caused me to be in a somewhat dazed state. My dad says that I will never believe what happened. He told me that Osama Bin Laden was killed. At first, the news did not quite resonate. It was impossible. Was he just trying to jolt me awake with an outrageous story? I turned on the television, and there it was. That is my "Where I Heard Osama was Killed" Story.
Does this rank with moments such as John Kennedy's assignation or Pearl Harbor? Most likely, it does not even come close. I know, I l know, "Adam, the subject is too sensitive". As a writer who believes the work of the pen is an art form, I feel it is my duty to provoke thoughts on this situation. The sensitivity of Osama bin Laden's death makes it hard for an opinion on either side to be shared. I hope that you will respect what I have to say as I will listen to what you say. Somehow this news felt big. A wave of patriotism felt like it was sweeping the nation. Later Monday morning, someone was vigorously waving the American flag. Since 2008, times have been tough. The economy is just starting to recover. We are fighting two wars, and some say we are on the verge of a third. Snap shots of good news slivered into the news reel, like the Royal Wedding and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Generally, Americans were not given any reason to skip and cheer as a nation. To me, Monday felt like Americans were back on top. As China ascended its way to becoming a superpower, the United States was put into denial. Osama and his gang of terrorists threw us into a dark place. Just like a bully teases on the playground, our country felt cornered and embarrassed. We needed something to jolt us awake, as did I on that Monday morning, and we got it.
Was our national prowess too overbearing? Yitzhak Rabin said, "We do not celebrate the death of our enemies." Being former prime minister of Israel, a nation with many enemies, makes this all the more dignified. In my opinion, the first wave of national pride was a way of covering up the original shock of the event. I could not have written this piece of Monday evening. The news was too fresh, too unbelievable. When that wore down, Americans began to realize that an actual man died. It feels somewhat strange to dance about the streets when others are grieving. Did people feel this same bittersweet sensation when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed in 1945?
What is hate if it is love in another's eyes? Yitzhak Rabin was hated by the man who shot him 1995. An entire group filled with delight the day Rabin was shot. Another weeped rivers of tears. Folks who agreed with bin Laden have just as much a right to grieve as Rabin enthusiasts.
Osama bin Laden is perhaps a little different. He was not just a contradiction to the United States. He killed 3,000 civilians and damaged a nation's moral completely. The navy seals went after Osama on Yom Hashoah, which remembers a separate massacre of innocent people. Just like the casualties of the Holocaust, each man, woman, and child who died on 9/11 has a name, a story, and a family. President Obama made a bold choice to do what he did and then share his opinion of it on the television. Leaders have to make tough choices sometimes. The key is choosing the right time.
Does this rank with moments such as John Kennedy's assignation or Pearl Harbor? Most likely, it does not even come close. I know, I l know, "Adam, the subject is too sensitive". As a writer who believes the work of the pen is an art form, I feel it is my duty to provoke thoughts on this situation. The sensitivity of Osama bin Laden's death makes it hard for an opinion on either side to be shared. I hope that you will respect what I have to say as I will listen to what you say. Somehow this news felt big. A wave of patriotism felt like it was sweeping the nation. Later Monday morning, someone was vigorously waving the American flag. Since 2008, times have been tough. The economy is just starting to recover. We are fighting two wars, and some say we are on the verge of a third. Snap shots of good news slivered into the news reel, like the Royal Wedding and the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Generally, Americans were not given any reason to skip and cheer as a nation. To me, Monday felt like Americans were back on top. As China ascended its way to becoming a superpower, the United States was put into denial. Osama and his gang of terrorists threw us into a dark place. Just like a bully teases on the playground, our country felt cornered and embarrassed. We needed something to jolt us awake, as did I on that Monday morning, and we got it.
Was our national prowess too overbearing? Yitzhak Rabin said, "We do not celebrate the death of our enemies." Being former prime minister of Israel, a nation with many enemies, makes this all the more dignified. In my opinion, the first wave of national pride was a way of covering up the original shock of the event. I could not have written this piece of Monday evening. The news was too fresh, too unbelievable. When that wore down, Americans began to realize that an actual man died. It feels somewhat strange to dance about the streets when others are grieving. Did people feel this same bittersweet sensation when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed in 1945?
What is hate if it is love in another's eyes? Yitzhak Rabin was hated by the man who shot him 1995. An entire group filled with delight the day Rabin was shot. Another weeped rivers of tears. Folks who agreed with bin Laden have just as much a right to grieve as Rabin enthusiasts.
Osama bin Laden is perhaps a little different. He was not just a contradiction to the United States. He killed 3,000 civilians and damaged a nation's moral completely. The navy seals went after Osama on Yom Hashoah, which remembers a separate massacre of innocent people. Just like the casualties of the Holocaust, each man, woman, and child who died on 9/11 has a name, a story, and a family. President Obama made a bold choice to do what he did and then share his opinion of it on the television. Leaders have to make tough choices sometimes. The key is choosing the right time.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Is There Really Freedom?
All over the world Jews are observing the festival of Passover this week. Passover is one of the three harvest festivals where Jews celebrate their liberation from Egypt. Freedom is the very precious treasure Jews rejoice over this time of year. As a citizen of the United States, freedom comes easy to me. The first amendment of the constitution automatically states my freedoms as a member of this union. In the United States, I can say whatever I want and be whoever I want. Israel is a similar situation where Jews are allowed to practice their religion free of persecution. As a religion, Jews have won many rights that our ancestors would have thought unthinkable.
Unfortunately, not everybody in the world can be as free as us Jews are. As I am sure any of us knows, the youth in the Middle East have been fighting constantly for the simple liberties we enjoy everyday. In early February, I wrote a piece on the Middle East while Egypt was overturning Hosni Mubarak. The storm of protests across the region are known as the Jasmine Revolution. They are inspiring and give hope that the hostility towards American throughout the area is finally coming to an end. On the other hand, the Jasmine Revolution could release a new wave of extremely dangerous terrorist government. I feel the same way I felt in February, only time can tell what will and will not happen.
It is a Passover tradition to recline a pillow while we eat the delicious Passover meal. In the Middle East, specifically Libya, turmoil removes this sense of comfort from millions of people. Egyptians suffer a fight that has had no results since Mubarak left his office. Yemenis are harshly fighting a tyrant who claims the United States is controlling the protests from a small office in Tel Aviv, Israel. Worst of all, Momar Kadafi is massacring his owns people. I feel that many times we see these images and see only images. The news can not illustrate the actual suffering one feels when one's leaders turn against them. I believe it may be like when we take in too much horseradish at the seder. We are all alone and have no one who can help us. Not even the stabilities of water and other foods can completely dilute the bitterness of the maror.
How free can the world ever be? Even in developed countries, laws and political disagreement strain our ability to live free and progress as a society. Do religious and political laws restrain our freedom? I believe that without such laws people would stop aspring to perform acts of love and kindness. Evil is caused by human's ability of free will. Every human has the free will. In Kadafi's Libya, someone can still speak out against their dictator. The only difference is that in the United States' someone still has a chance of living. At the conclusion of the service, we ask to all be free in Jerusalem. In my opinion, we not only mean the Jews, but anyone who is still fighting the fight of freedom.
Unfortunately, not everybody in the world can be as free as us Jews are. As I am sure any of us knows, the youth in the Middle East have been fighting constantly for the simple liberties we enjoy everyday. In early February, I wrote a piece on the Middle East while Egypt was overturning Hosni Mubarak. The storm of protests across the region are known as the Jasmine Revolution. They are inspiring and give hope that the hostility towards American throughout the area is finally coming to an end. On the other hand, the Jasmine Revolution could release a new wave of extremely dangerous terrorist government. I feel the same way I felt in February, only time can tell what will and will not happen.
It is a Passover tradition to recline a pillow while we eat the delicious Passover meal. In the Middle East, specifically Libya, turmoil removes this sense of comfort from millions of people. Egyptians suffer a fight that has had no results since Mubarak left his office. Yemenis are harshly fighting a tyrant who claims the United States is controlling the protests from a small office in Tel Aviv, Israel. Worst of all, Momar Kadafi is massacring his owns people. I feel that many times we see these images and see only images. The news can not illustrate the actual suffering one feels when one's leaders turn against them. I believe it may be like when we take in too much horseradish at the seder. We are all alone and have no one who can help us. Not even the stabilities of water and other foods can completely dilute the bitterness of the maror.
How free can the world ever be? Even in developed countries, laws and political disagreement strain our ability to live free and progress as a society. Do religious and political laws restrain our freedom? I believe that without such laws people would stop aspring to perform acts of love and kindness. Evil is caused by human's ability of free will. Every human has the free will. In Kadafi's Libya, someone can still speak out against their dictator. The only difference is that in the United States' someone still has a chance of living. At the conclusion of the service, we ask to all be free in Jerusalem. In my opinion, we not only mean the Jews, but anyone who is still fighting the fight of freedom.
Friday, April 15, 2011
A Modern Debate from Biblical Times
Parshat Acharei Mot is one of the more provocative of the Torah's passages, especially chapter 18. To keep it blunt, Chapter 18 is the part of Leviticus where laws on sexual practice are discussed. Sex laws, just calling out the elephant in the room. Most times, our religious views on sex are taboo. As a writer and scholar, I wish to view my opinion on one of the most discussed commandments in the Bible. The Torah states, "You shall not lie down with a male, as with a woman: this is an abomination" (Lev. 18:22).
Abomination, now that is a firm word. In my bright red pen, I wrote the word "why" seven times in the margin. Now such a quote could turn people off to Judaism for good. In the parshat, I got a couple of reasons to my septuple why. First of all, the Torah claims that the restraints put on sex are to distinguish the people of Israel from those who enslaved them in Egypt and dwell in Canaan. Another response is that such practices would defile one's name and the name of God. The final response to conclude the parshat is the God's way of saying "because I said so. God declares, "I am the Lord your God". What will happen if one finds a homosexual in their midst? According to the Torah, the person shall be shunned, or worse banished. That word still bothers me, abomination.
Psychologists believe and have nearly come to prove that being gay, lesbian, transexual, or bisexual is not something one can control. It is merely the physical way a particular type of brain functions. People can not prevent what Judaism calls, "an abomination". This is not to say that homosexuals are cut off from the community today. I am a Jew, but I fight for the civil rights of those who have a particular sexual orientation. In Christianity, it is nearly the same way. Christians protect homosexuals, but some still proclaim this a sin. Muslims abstain from the birds and the bees between the same gender, yet a mere relationship between gays or lesbians is under debate. Depending on which branch of Buddhism one belongs to, homosexuality is either accepted or seen as a tad bit obscure and unnatural. The Bhudda does not particularly discuss his view in his writings. Hindus disagree on their views, but their writings have no particular preference. As one can see, Eastern ideals are more accepting than those of the West.
Homosexuals of today are to black people of the 1960's. What will happen if we do not change our ways? On the show "Glee", Kurt Hummel is an excellent demonstration of homosexual bullying at its worst extent. His public school failed to protect him and eventually drove him out. It may be a fictional TV musical, but the point is still rigid. Just this past week, Kobe Bryant got ticked off at a referee. He called them a "homo". Such behavior can make homosexuals feel like aliens on their planet. In the United States, a citizen can marry their cousin in 26 states. As of 2009, same sex marriage was legal in 6 states. Homosexuals are trapped without a voice, a place, or a time.
There are many ways to put an end to the isolation of homosexuals. Just today was the Day of Silence, a day where people go without talking to show what it is like for a homosexual, transexual, bisexual, someone questioning their orientation who are deprived of their ability to come out and say what they feel. Empathy is a quality that ranks above bravery, strength, and intelligence anytime, anywhere. We must take time now to treat this minority of people like anyone of us. They treat straight people no differently they interact with each other. Like standing up to antisemitism, we have to rise against this bullying and defend those around us. Never again should someone defenselessly be called a "homo" or "fag" by some ignorant coward. Never again should a situation be described as "gay". The most influential of actions an adult can take is sitting down and talking to their children about how to interact with those of a different sexual orientation. The conversation is simple. It goes, "If you ever came home and said that you were gay/lesbian we would support you all the way?" We have the chance to change our world, especially the millenium generation.
How do we react as Jews? Reform Jews have generally abolished this law from their repertoire and are open to accept even rabbis who prefer to love someone different than the opposite gender. Conservative and Orthodox Jews are hesitant to defy the Torah, but may be getting exponentially more liberal. As a Jewish nation, we are commanded to change the world. Is one allowed to abstain from eternal law to bring themselves into the modern age? Whenever the debate comes up, we Jews just go "Oy!" Everyone knows the old saying that with two Jews comes three opinions.
Cited Sources
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Buddhism - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011..
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Christianity - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011..
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Hinduism - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011..
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Islam - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011..
-CousinCouples.org. "Facts about cousin marriage." Cousin Marriage Resources. 15 Apr. 2011. 15 Apr. 2011.
-Vestal, Christine. "Gay marriage legal in six states." Stateline. 4 June 2009. Stateline.org. 15 Apr. 2011.
Abomination, now that is a firm word. In my bright red pen, I wrote the word "why" seven times in the margin. Now such a quote could turn people off to Judaism for good. In the parshat, I got a couple of reasons to my septuple why. First of all, the Torah claims that the restraints put on sex are to distinguish the people of Israel from those who enslaved them in Egypt and dwell in Canaan. Another response is that such practices would defile one's name and the name of God. The final response to conclude the parshat is the God's way of saying "because I said so. God declares, "I am the Lord your God". What will happen if one finds a homosexual in their midst? According to the Torah, the person shall be shunned, or worse banished. That word still bothers me, abomination.
Psychologists believe and have nearly come to prove that being gay, lesbian, transexual, or bisexual is not something one can control. It is merely the physical way a particular type of brain functions. People can not prevent what Judaism calls, "an abomination". This is not to say that homosexuals are cut off from the community today. I am a Jew, but I fight for the civil rights of those who have a particular sexual orientation. In Christianity, it is nearly the same way. Christians protect homosexuals, but some still proclaim this a sin. Muslims abstain from the birds and the bees between the same gender, yet a mere relationship between gays or lesbians is under debate. Depending on which branch of Buddhism one belongs to, homosexuality is either accepted or seen as a tad bit obscure and unnatural. The Bhudda does not particularly discuss his view in his writings. Hindus disagree on their views, but their writings have no particular preference. As one can see, Eastern ideals are more accepting than those of the West.
Homosexuals of today are to black people of the 1960's. What will happen if we do not change our ways? On the show "Glee", Kurt Hummel is an excellent demonstration of homosexual bullying at its worst extent. His public school failed to protect him and eventually drove him out. It may be a fictional TV musical, but the point is still rigid. Just this past week, Kobe Bryant got ticked off at a referee. He called them a "homo". Such behavior can make homosexuals feel like aliens on their planet. In the United States, a citizen can marry their cousin in 26 states. As of 2009, same sex marriage was legal in 6 states. Homosexuals are trapped without a voice, a place, or a time.
There are many ways to put an end to the isolation of homosexuals. Just today was the Day of Silence, a day where people go without talking to show what it is like for a homosexual, transexual, bisexual, someone questioning their orientation who are deprived of their ability to come out and say what they feel. Empathy is a quality that ranks above bravery, strength, and intelligence anytime, anywhere. We must take time now to treat this minority of people like anyone of us. They treat straight people no differently they interact with each other. Like standing up to antisemitism, we have to rise against this bullying and defend those around us. Never again should someone defenselessly be called a "homo" or "fag" by some ignorant coward. Never again should a situation be described as "gay". The most influential of actions an adult can take is sitting down and talking to their children about how to interact with those of a different sexual orientation. The conversation is simple. It goes, "If you ever came home and said that you were gay/lesbian we would support you all the way?" We have the chance to change our world, especially the millenium generation.
How do we react as Jews? Reform Jews have generally abolished this law from their repertoire and are open to accept even rabbis who prefer to love someone different than the opposite gender. Conservative and Orthodox Jews are hesitant to defy the Torah, but may be getting exponentially more liberal. As a Jewish nation, we are commanded to change the world. Is one allowed to abstain from eternal law to bring themselves into the modern age? Whenever the debate comes up, we Jews just go "Oy!" Everyone knows the old saying that with two Jews comes three opinions.
Cited Sources
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Buddhism - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Christianity - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Hinduism - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.
-Annoymous. "Homosexuality and Islam - ReligionFacts." Religion, World Religions, Comparative Religion - Just the Facts on the World's Religions. Web. 15 Apr. 2011.
-CousinCouples.org. "Facts about cousin marriage." Cousin Marriage Resources. 15 Apr. 2011. 15 Apr. 2011
-Vestal, Christine. "Gay marriage legal in six states." Stateline. 4 June 2009. Stateline.org. 15 Apr. 2011
Friday, April 08, 2011
Spanish in the United States
¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás? ¿En qué puedo servirle? Get used to hearing such vernacular as this. For a majority of a century now, English has been the primary language of the United States, yet Spanish speakers are growing in numbers. According to the 2010 Census, 15.8% of the United States has Spanish as their native tongue. Already, Texas has a Hispanic population of 36.8%. These statistics can only grow in number. Good or bad, Americans need to brace for change.
Just as immigration was vibrant in early twentieth century Europe, Hispanics are searching for a better life. In many Central American countries, times are very rough and drug sellers are creating animosity. Often times, the anarchy of the Middle East overshadows these Latin countries in the news. From a Hispanic perspective, it makes sense why one would want to flee their country. Chile has the highest Latin American Human Development Index, and it is number forty-five. Although we feel our economy is tanking, even today, come to our country in search of the American dream.
What does such a change mean for us? On the occasional trip to Lowe’s, we find ourselves looking at bilingual signs. We see FLOOR in large, bold lettering and PISO under it. Soon enough, signs like those of Lowe’s will be found in a majority of U.S. merchandisers. At Barnes and Noble, we will begin to see more and more books in Spanish print. A change in the tongue of the United States could cause communication problems. In Belgium, the Dutch north and French south are pondering a split because of the lingual divide. I doubt the United States will break off from itself, however the challenges may become adverse and tough for our government to handle.
To ease ourselves into this transition, we must be aware of a few things. First of all, we can not try to prevent this change from happening. Just as the South could not prevent the Civil Rights Movement, we can not try to rid our country of “Latinos”. Often times, especially in young adults, I find that we assume every Hispanic is an illegal immigrant. The claim is not preposterous, however can be very offensive for those who went through the entire process many of our grandparents and great-grandparents had to struggle through. Secondly, I feel that a majority of Americans should begin to take Spanish. When push comes to shove, we are losing of linguistically monolithic society. Times are changing and the only way to overcome communications issues is to learn how to communicate with Hispanics ourselves. I love the language of Spanish and believe it rolls off the tongue. On the other hand, I feel many Hispanics should aspire to educate themselves in the ways of English. Finally, I feel that we should embrace each other’s cultures. We should welcome Hispanics by appealing for Cinco de Mayo and Day of the Dead celebrations. Maybe some immigrants coming to this country are well trained dancers in the ways of the tango, flamenco, and salsa. If we refuse to welcome such Hispanics, we can only hope a real life "West Side Story" does not erupt all over the country.
Just as immigration was vibrant in early twentieth century Europe, Hispanics are searching for a better life. In many Central American countries, times are very rough and drug sellers are creating animosity. Often times, the anarchy of the Middle East overshadows these Latin countries in the news. From a Hispanic perspective, it makes sense why one would want to flee their country. Chile has the highest Latin American Human Development Index, and it is number forty-five. Although we feel our economy is tanking, even today, come to our country in search of the American dream.
What does such a change mean for us? On the occasional trip to Lowe’s, we find ourselves looking at bilingual signs. We see FLOOR in large, bold lettering and PISO under it. Soon enough, signs like those of Lowe’s will be found in a majority of U.S. merchandisers. At Barnes and Noble, we will begin to see more and more books in Spanish print. A change in the tongue of the United States could cause communication problems. In Belgium, the Dutch north and French south are pondering a split because of the lingual divide. I doubt the United States will break off from itself, however the challenges may become adverse and tough for our government to handle.
To ease ourselves into this transition, we must be aware of a few things. First of all, we can not try to prevent this change from happening. Just as the South could not prevent the Civil Rights Movement, we can not try to rid our country of “Latinos”. Often times, especially in young adults, I find that we assume every Hispanic is an illegal immigrant. The claim is not preposterous, however can be very offensive for those who went through the entire process many of our grandparents and great-grandparents had to struggle through. Secondly, I feel that a majority of Americans should begin to take Spanish. When push comes to shove, we are losing of linguistically monolithic society. Times are changing and the only way to overcome communications issues is to learn how to communicate with Hispanics ourselves. I love the language of Spanish and believe it rolls off the tongue. On the other hand, I feel many Hispanics should aspire to educate themselves in the ways of English. Finally, I feel that we should embrace each other’s cultures. We should welcome Hispanics by appealing for Cinco de Mayo and Day of the Dead celebrations. Maybe some immigrants coming to this country are well trained dancers in the ways of the tango, flamenco, and salsa. If we refuse to welcome such Hispanics, we can only hope a real life "West Side Story" does not erupt all over the country.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Shakespeare Series:"The Comedy of Errors"
Over the month of March, I explored my first Shakespeare comedy. "The Comedy of Errors" is an amusing, quaint play involving a series of mishaps. In the opening of the play, we are introduced to Egeon as he faces execution. The duke caught him meandering around the parts of Ephesus, his rival city. Prior to his executing, the duke lets Egeon tell his story. He had two beautiful sons and brought up two servants for them. Each twin, servant and nobleman, lost his other half. Of course, the irony of Shakespeare's play is when these twins run into each other. Antipholus of Syracuse has been on a long quest in search of his brother. He brought along his spacey servant Dromio. When they stumble into Ephesus, the gentleman and his helper are summoned for dinner. Although they find it quite peculiar, they go. Little do they know that they are in the castle of their twins. From there, the madness grows exponentially. Eventually, one set of twins nearly gets the other one arrested. Shakespeare's wisecracking show comes to a climactic explosion of action in the final act. Since this play has a beautiful ending, I do not wish to ruin the conclusion for any readers of mine.
The two noble twins are both named Antipholus. While Antipholus of Syracuse has spent his entire life searching for his brother, Antipholus of Ephesus has accumulated a large amount of wealth and power in his town. Their contrast is a key ironic element in the continual sequence of mishaps. Contrary to how Antipholus of Ephesus feels outraged as his town betrays him, his Syrucusian counterpart has no problem enjoying the luxuries he never dreamed he would have. I believe that many wonder if the richest people in our society could live the everyday, working class lifestyles we endure. Shakespeare captures this divide between rich and poor beautifully from beginning to end.
Reading about Dromio of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus makes me wish I had a twin, so I could play one of these hilarious servants. "Errors" would be nothing without the two hilarious servants who serve Antipholus. Like his master, Dromio of Syracuse enjoys the rich life. Dromio has this delightful scene with his master when he describes a woman he has met at his twin's abode. Despite the fact that he has fallen for this lady, the only way he can describe her to his master is how wide she is. He begins to map out her body as if it was her globe. In our modern society, such an act may seem grotesk, yet Shakespeare just makes it tickle the human emotion. Truth is, some guys still objectify women to such rude atributes. Dromio of Ephesus runs into Antipholus of Syracuse and gets this whole mixup started. Both Dromio's seem to capture the essence of what it is to be an everyday guy, they make mistakes and pay for them.
Compared to "Macbeth" and "Romeo and Juliet", I would classify "Errors" as a fairly easy read. Once a reader gets used to the fact that there are pairs of men with the same name getting mixed up in almost every scene, the book is easy to follow. Since the beginning can be somewhat confusing, I would not endorse that "The Comedy of Errors" be anyone's first Shakespeare. It confounds me that such a funny story could be one of the lesser known Shakespeare plays. Even though "comedy" is in the title, Shakespeare does not tell loud jokes. Shakespeare embraces the irony of the situation. I recommend that readers do not go fishing for laughs when reading the show. Let the jokes come to you. If for any other reason, read this play for its last line. I found it quite profound for such a goofy piece of literature. I believe you should this story as Dromio of Syracuse says to his master, '" Run, master, run; for God’s sake, take a house! This is some priority"' (V.i.36-37).
The two noble twins are both named Antipholus. While Antipholus of Syracuse has spent his entire life searching for his brother, Antipholus of Ephesus has accumulated a large amount of wealth and power in his town. Their contrast is a key ironic element in the continual sequence of mishaps. Contrary to how Antipholus of Ephesus feels outraged as his town betrays him, his Syrucusian counterpart has no problem enjoying the luxuries he never dreamed he would have. I believe that many wonder if the richest people in our society could live the everyday, working class lifestyles we endure. Shakespeare captures this divide between rich and poor beautifully from beginning to end.
Reading about Dromio of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus makes me wish I had a twin, so I could play one of these hilarious servants. "Errors" would be nothing without the two hilarious servants who serve Antipholus. Like his master, Dromio of Syracuse enjoys the rich life. Dromio has this delightful scene with his master when he describes a woman he has met at his twin's abode. Despite the fact that he has fallen for this lady, the only way he can describe her to his master is how wide she is. He begins to map out her body as if it was her globe. In our modern society, such an act may seem grotesk, yet Shakespeare just makes it tickle the human emotion. Truth is, some guys still objectify women to such rude atributes. Dromio of Ephesus runs into Antipholus of Syracuse and gets this whole mixup started. Both Dromio's seem to capture the essence of what it is to be an everyday guy, they make mistakes and pay for them.
Compared to "Macbeth" and "Romeo and Juliet", I would classify "Errors" as a fairly easy read. Once a reader gets used to the fact that there are pairs of men with the same name getting mixed up in almost every scene, the book is easy to follow. Since the beginning can be somewhat confusing, I would not endorse that "The Comedy of Errors" be anyone's first Shakespeare. It confounds me that such a funny story could be one of the lesser known Shakespeare plays. Even though "comedy" is in the title, Shakespeare does not tell loud jokes. Shakespeare embraces the irony of the situation. I recommend that readers do not go fishing for laughs when reading the show. Let the jokes come to you. If for any other reason, read this play for its last line. I found it quite profound for such a goofy piece of literature. I believe you should this story as Dromio of Syracuse says to his master, '" Run, master, run; for God’s sake, take a house! This is some priority"' (V.i.36-37).
Friday, March 25, 2011
What About the Kiddish?
Leviticus comes in groups of laws spread about the parashot. The first ten chapters of Leviticus mostly discuss how to sacrifice. Later in Shemini (this week's parashat), Moses receives a few more commandments about the way priests should lead their lives. Finally, God speaks to Aaron giving him a majority of the Jewish food restrictions, the Kashrut. The Kashrut discussed in Shemini include what not to eat that walks on land, flies in the sky, swims in the sea, or soars the air in swarms. On land, Jews abstain from eating animals that do not have both parted hoofs and chew their own cud. The most famous of these restrictions would be the pig. When it comes to birds, there are just a number of arbitrary restrictions including all kinds of hawks and ostriches. Seafood is alright as long as the food has fins and scales. This excludes all kinds of shellfish, eels, and calamari. Although there are a few exceptions, most bugs are excluded from the Jewish diet plan. Modern Kosher Jews wash their produce very carefully to make sure no insects stuck on from the farm. It is indeed a busy parshat filled with laws of sacrifice, priesthood, and diet!
Contrary to the focus of dietary laws in Shemini, a passage about being in the Kohanim (priesthood) particularly caught my interest this week. This law made me question how services are run every single week. According to Shemini rabbis and priests are commanded to, "drink no wine or other intoxicant, you or your sons, when you go into the Tent of Meeting, that you may not die. This is a laws for all time throughout the ages, for you must distinguish between holy and profane, and between unclean and clean" (Lev. 10:9-10). Since when has a member of the clergy not been able to drink at a temple? Last time, I checked rabbis drank wine every week at Kiddush. They also drink 4 cups of wine at Passover and a glass usually goes with each festival day. I would say that wine would be exception if the commandment did not specify wine with other intoxicants. Another peculiar specification is how this law is particularly everlasting. We assume that all laws are binding for eternity. Why does this law include that it stands for all generations? If this law specifies that it is for all generations, why do we Jews break it every week?
Once I examined the law long enough, I found a couple of interpretations. Rabbis can always go with the loopal to the Kiddush factor. Grape juice is just as valid a Kiddush product as wines, but is not intoxicating. Most times, grape juice is used for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah at my synagogue anyways. What about Passover and other festivals? Maybe this law is a not a commandment regarding whether or not a rabbi can drink or not, but it restricts how much a rabbi can drink at temple. Rabbis can not be drunks. A drunk rabbi would justify why the law's reasoning is that "you may not die" (Lev. 10:9 ). One glass of wine would not kill a person. Also, one glass of wine does not make one profane or unclean.
Too many a people, alcoholism is a very sensitive subject. Like most life issues, rabbis must be there for the relatives of an alcoholic. The rabbi must be a listening ear and offer his or her advice. A superlative rabbi will give his or her congregants their full effort. Drinking to excess will inhibit a rabbi's ability. Rabbis must lead by example. If their congregants see them drinking, they drink. Perhaps the thought behind this was to eradicate alcoholism from the world. When the leaders would stop, maybe the people would stop.
From most stand points, drinking is nopt great. It may relax the mind, but it causes more harm than help. I do not think highly of drinking because I personally could not bear to lose my ability. Could I say I am going to not drink alcohol in my lifetime. No, I can not make that guarantee. Will I be careful? Yes. Will I drive? No. Remember that ancient Israelites lived in a world of drinking without driving. They still thought it was wrong. In ancient myths from all over the world (especially Greek), drinking was used a way of tricking people. Personally, I believe the world's alcohol habits are improving. Then again I said to a high schooler, "What are you going to do the first two years of college when you can not legally drink?" She said, "You really think people don't drink?"
Contrary to the focus of dietary laws in Shemini, a passage about being in the Kohanim (priesthood) particularly caught my interest this week. This law made me question how services are run every single week. According to Shemini rabbis and priests are commanded to, "drink no wine or other intoxicant, you or your sons, when you go into the Tent of Meeting, that you may not die. This is a laws for all time throughout the ages, for you must distinguish between holy and profane, and between unclean and clean" (Lev. 10:9-10). Since when has a member of the clergy not been able to drink at a temple? Last time, I checked rabbis drank wine every week at Kiddush. They also drink 4 cups of wine at Passover and a glass usually goes with each festival day. I would say that wine would be exception if the commandment did not specify wine with other intoxicants. Another peculiar specification is how this law is particularly everlasting. We assume that all laws are binding for eternity. Why does this law include that it stands for all generations? If this law specifies that it is for all generations, why do we Jews break it every week?
Once I examined the law long enough, I found a couple of interpretations. Rabbis can always go with the loopal to the Kiddush factor. Grape juice is just as valid a Kiddush product as wines, but is not intoxicating. Most times, grape juice is used for the Bar or Bat Mitzvah at my synagogue anyways. What about Passover and other festivals? Maybe this law is a not a commandment regarding whether or not a rabbi can drink or not, but it restricts how much a rabbi can drink at temple. Rabbis can not be drunks. A drunk rabbi would justify why the law's reasoning is that "you may not die" (Lev. 10:9 ). One glass of wine would not kill a person. Also, one glass of wine does not make one profane or unclean.
Too many a people, alcoholism is a very sensitive subject. Like most life issues, rabbis must be there for the relatives of an alcoholic. The rabbi must be a listening ear and offer his or her advice. A superlative rabbi will give his or her congregants their full effort. Drinking to excess will inhibit a rabbi's ability. Rabbis must lead by example. If their congregants see them drinking, they drink. Perhaps the thought behind this was to eradicate alcoholism from the world. When the leaders would stop, maybe the people would stop.
From most stand points, drinking is nopt great. It may relax the mind, but it causes more harm than help. I do not think highly of drinking because I personally could not bear to lose my ability. Could I say I am going to not drink alcohol in my lifetime. No, I can not make that guarantee. Will I be careful? Yes. Will I drive? No. Remember that ancient Israelites lived in a world of drinking without driving. They still thought it was wrong. In ancient myths from all over the world (especially Greek), drinking was used a way of tricking people. Personally, I believe the world's alcohol habits are improving. Then again I said to a high schooler, "What are you going to do the first two years of college when you can not legally drink?" She said, "You really think people don't drink?"
Friday, March 18, 2011
Dressing Up on Purim
It is almost time for one of the year most joyous Jewish holidays. Purim, which falls on the fourteenth of Adar (March 19-20 this year), is a holiday that celebrates how the Jews were relieved of persecution in ancient Persia. The story of Purim, the Megilla, revolves around four main characters, Esther is a beautiful Jewish women who lives with her cousin Mordechai. King Ahashverous is the arrogant king who seeks a new queen. After a beauty pageant, King A decides to marry Esther. He did not realize she was Jewish. Finally, Haman is a wicked man who would like all the Jews in the streets of Purim to bow down to him as he walks by. Unfortunately, all the Jews do. Only Mordechai stands up to Haman. Once Mordechai does this, Haman decides that he will hang all the Jews. As he catches word of this, Moderchai pleads Esther to save their people by talking to the king. Of course, in these days a woman never spoke up to her husband. She thought she would beheaded. Eventually, Esther has Haman and Ahashverous sit down for dinner. During the meal, Esther cries out to King Ahashverous, and he finds out everything. From that day forward, Esther would be known as the saviour of the Jewish people.
There are many traditions associated to this time of year. By law, there are four mitzvot we must do on Purim. The first of these is that we must celebrate Purim every year on the fourteenth of Adar. Haman planned to kill us on the thirteenth. Rabbis says that reading the Megillah is an easy way to observe this festival every year. Some temples even perform a Purim spiel (a play) after the Megillah is read. Secondly, we must enjoy Purim and feast as we celebrate it. Most Jews do find that Purim is one of their favorite holidays. After that, Jews are commanded to give gifts to their friends. These are called mishloach manot (sending of portions). Most of the time these baskets will have food, especially hamantashen. Hamantashen are delectable cookies shaped like Haman's triangular hat. Various fillings are put into the middle of the hamantashen. Fourth, giving to the poor is required of us on Purim. At my temple, we are raising tzedakah for the people of Japan as they get over the devastating earthquake. Purim is a holiday of giving. We believe that at such a joyous time in the year, everybody should have the ability be happy.
Obviously, Purim celebrates the triumph over Jewish persecution. Some people believe that such intolerance is no longer existent in the Jewish world. On the contrary, we see it all the time on a number of different levels. Just this week, I saw an event on Facebook. One of the attendee was a man whose profile picture was Adolf Hitler. His profession was killing Jews. Now, for as many people like that out there, there are many righteous people who believe in equality and religious tolerance. I just wanted to point out that there are still some who are just as ignorant as Haman. People have been through out the ages. The Holocaust is a very prominent, recent memory, but there were also the Romans who kicked us out of our homeland, the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition, and the Russian pogroms, just to name a few. Antisemitism will still live as long as there are people who will respect us as individuals and as a people.
Am I the only one who finds it ironic that Jews dress up on Purim? The Megillah is a story of being who we are, yet we pretend to be Esther, Mordechai, Ahashaverous, or Haman. We masquerade ourselves and camouflage into the temple on Adar 14. The tradition is to obviously celebrate these colorful characters. I just find it a little contradicting to go incognito and celebrate Jewish pride. It could go the other way
Perhaps, we Jews can dress up on Purim. Then, we could be ourselves every other day of the year. By ourselves, I mean be Jewish. Do not be afraid to wear your Bar Mitzvah shirt to school or bring matzvah for lunch on Pesach. Think of betoo. Every other day of the year, Jews do not universally dress up. For some reason, we feel in disguise though. Just yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. How many Jews do you know who feel conflicted to wear green on the Irish-Christian holiday? What should one do?ing Jewish as a priviledge, not an obstacle. Jewish pride is the easiest way to fight small scale intolerance. If we can handle the small hurtles early, the large ones will start fade too, In conclusion, a nice chag Purim to everybody. I hope that after Saturday, the costume comes off, and the real Jewish person underneath comes out.
There are many traditions associated to this time of year. By law, there are four mitzvot we must do on Purim. The first of these is that we must celebrate Purim every year on the fourteenth of Adar. Haman planned to kill us on the thirteenth. Rabbis says that reading the Megillah is an easy way to observe this festival every year. Some temples even perform a Purim spiel (a play) after the Megillah is read. Secondly, we must enjoy Purim and feast as we celebrate it. Most Jews do find that Purim is one of their favorite holidays. After that, Jews are commanded to give gifts to their friends. These are called mishloach manot (sending of portions). Most of the time these baskets will have food, especially hamantashen. Hamantashen are delectable cookies shaped like Haman's triangular hat. Various fillings are put into the middle of the hamantashen. Fourth, giving to the poor is required of us on Purim. At my temple, we are raising tzedakah for the people of Japan as they get over the devastating earthquake. Purim is a holiday of giving. We believe that at such a joyous time in the year, everybody should have the ability be happy.
Obviously, Purim celebrates the triumph over Jewish persecution. Some people believe that such intolerance is no longer existent in the Jewish world. On the contrary, we see it all the time on a number of different levels. Just this week, I saw an event on Facebook. One of the attendee was a man whose profile picture was Adolf Hitler. His profession was killing Jews. Now, for as many people like that out there, there are many righteous people who believe in equality and religious tolerance. I just wanted to point out that there are still some who are just as ignorant as Haman. People have been through out the ages. The Holocaust is a very prominent, recent memory, but there were also the Romans who kicked us out of our homeland, the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition, and the Russian pogroms, just to name a few. Antisemitism will still live as long as there are people who will respect us as individuals and as a people.
Am I the only one who finds it ironic that Jews dress up on Purim? The Megillah is a story of being who we are, yet we pretend to be Esther, Mordechai, Ahashaverous, or Haman. We masquerade ourselves and camouflage into the temple on Adar 14. The tradition is to obviously celebrate these colorful characters. I just find it a little contradicting to go incognito and celebrate Jewish pride. It could go the other way
Perhaps, we Jews can dress up on Purim. Then, we could be ourselves every other day of the year. By ourselves, I mean be Jewish. Do not be afraid to wear your Bar Mitzvah shirt to school or bring matzvah for lunch on Pesach. Think of betoo. Every other day of the year, Jews do not universally dress up. For some reason, we feel in disguise though. Just yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. How many Jews do you know who feel conflicted to wear green on the Irish-Christian holiday? What should one do?ing Jewish as a priviledge, not an obstacle. Jewish pride is the easiest way to fight small scale intolerance. If we can handle the small hurtles early, the large ones will start fade too, In conclusion, a nice chag Purim to everybody. I hope that after Saturday, the costume comes off, and the real Jewish person underneath comes out.
Friday, March 11, 2011
How to Read Leviticus?
Letviticus (Vayikra in Hebrew) is the third book in the Torah and probably the most ignored of the five. Why? Some people would call it "boring". They would say, "Leviticus is just laws. There are no stories." I find it insane to say that Leviticus can not compare to the other books of the Torah. Leviticus is perhaps the most important. This third book is the beginning of the Jewish ethics system. Jewish law does not stop with the Ten Commandments. In the Torah, there are 613 commandments, most of which are found Leviticus. As we start our exploration of Leviticus for this year, we must keep in mind some simple reading strategies for studying ancient law.
While reading Vayikra, there are a few questions that readers should ask themselves. First of all, reader should always ask: "Why is this law here?". Some Jews believe the Torah is entirely the word of God, but most liberal Jews believe that later authors wrote the Torah. Either way, the laws had to be carefully constructed for this book. Most laws look a little peculiar to us. A majority of the Torah's laws are about farming. Why? Israel was an agricultural society. Many laws are written in the Torah for those who cultivate the land. Other laws are in Leviticus as a basis for the Jewish moral code. It is obvious not to steal or kill, but Vayikra gets into every ethical detail.
Another question one has to ask is "How can I apply this law to my everyday life?" While most of us are no longer farmers, many of the laws intended for them still have meaning. For example, a farmer's guide to planting the land teaches us to have faith and discipline before God. The Kashrut (dietary laws) have the same intention. Studying law does not mean to pick and choose the "easy" laws, but to look at every practice and incorporate it in some shape or fashion into our modern world. When reading Leviticus these two questions will make everything a little simpler.
While reading Vayikra, there are a few questions that readers should ask themselves. First of all, reader should always ask: "Why is this law here?". Some Jews believe the Torah is entirely the word of God, but most liberal Jews believe that later authors wrote the Torah. Either way, the laws had to be carefully constructed for this book. Most laws look a little peculiar to us. A majority of the Torah's laws are about farming. Why? Israel was an agricultural society. Many laws are written in the Torah for those who cultivate the land. Other laws are in Leviticus as a basis for the Jewish moral code. It is obvious not to steal or kill, but Vayikra gets into every ethical detail.
Another question one has to ask is "How can I apply this law to my everyday life?" While most of us are no longer farmers, many of the laws intended for them still have meaning. For example, a farmer's guide to planting the land teaches us to have faith and discipline before God. The Kashrut (dietary laws) have the same intention. Studying law does not mean to pick and choose the "easy" laws, but to look at every practice and incorporate it in some shape or fashion into our modern world. When reading Leviticus these two questions will make everything a little simpler.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
Shakespeare Series: "Romeo and Juliet"
"Romeo and Juliet" is perhaps the most famous story in the world. Almost everyone knows the basic plot. "Romeo and Juliet" is a story of two star-crossed lovers living in the feuding town of Verona. In the first scene of the show, servants from the two families begin to argue. Eventually, this argument becomes an all out brawl. For centuries, the Montague's, whose only child is Romeo, and the Capulet's, whose only child is Juliet, have hated each other. The true essence of the show begins as Mercutio convinces Romeo, who is getting over his former love Rosaline, to sneak into the Capulet Ball. At this event, Romeo and Juliet first meet. They instantaneously fall in love. Tensions grow after the explosive Tybalt catches Romeo at the ball. On the very same night, they find out each other's identity with the rival family. Of course the next scene is perhaps the most famous scene in all of theater. Romeo sneaks away from his buddies as Juliet cries out in repulsion what makes Romeo, a Montague, anything so terrible. Suddenly, Romeo can not bear just to listen, and they begin to plan their marriage. Just as their world seems perfect, another clash breaks out in Verona Square. Mercutio taunts valiant Tybalt until he can not stand it any longer. Romeo tries to stop the rumble, but he only makes things worse. He actually causes Tybalt to murder the witty Mercutio. In the very same scene, Romeo is caught up with rage and slaughters Tybalt. All anarchy breaks loose, and that is just one half of this show!
After that, Romeo is sentenced by the prince to banishment in Mantua. As "brilliant" as the Capulet's are, they plan a wedding for their daughter. Without Romeo around her, Juliet is doomed to marry the nobleman Paris. She seeks Friar Lawrence's help at the church. The friar gives Juliet a poison that will keep her unconscious enough to be buried in the tomb. She will eventually awake and be able to leave Verona and all its troubles. Everything goes according to plan until Romeo catches untimely word of Juliet's death. He comes back to see her, but alas she is gone. In shock, he drinks a poison and kills himself to be with her. Just as he does that, Juliet awakes. Seeing the deceased Romeo, she stabs herself. The pair of suicides shocks both families. Since the tale ends there, only Shakespeare knows the fate of Verona.
Many characters in "Romeo and Juliet" have dual personalities. For instance, Romeo begins the play displaying a very gentle disposition. He is just getting over his breakup with Rosaline. Even as he meets Juliet, Romeo seems tranquil. Forgetting Rosaline instantly, love overcomes him. Later, Romeo snaps like a twig. Like any other youth, Romeo is lost with his emotions. He feels vengeful, but loving. He is depressed, yet joyous. In the tomb, Romeo proves that he would do anything for his love Juliet. Shakespeare's title character has a spirit that touches the human soul.
While Romeo is played as a gentle yet vicious character, Juliet is written quite differently. Juliet is more of a powerful woman stuck in the wrong time. Shakespeare does not write weak female roles. Just as Lady Macbeth had a resonant role in the play, Juliet has a brain and a voice. She had the bravery to stand up to her father, one of noblest men in Verona. Unlike the Scottish king's wife, Juliet is powerless in her world. She feels no other choice but to fake her death. She is only gentle when she is with or thinking about her beloved Romeo. Although we can credit Juliet for being powerful, she also creates her own downfall. Juliet is the one that has them marry each other.
Of all these glorious characters, Mercutio is probably my personal favorite. Mercutio is one of two comedic roles in this play that distract a reader from the true tragedy of the story. He is Romeo's comical best friend. Throughout the first two and a half acts, Mercutio teases Romeo about Rosaline. He calls him a "madman" and a "lover". Even during his last scene, Mercutio makes a mockery of the hot-tempered Tybalt. Mercutio is a joker so much to the extent that those around him think he is not really dead. They laugh and laugh until his bloody hand comes up. Mercutio is no fool. He is just one casualty that Verona has in this fight between two families.
On the Capulet side, I would have to say that I like the nurse the most. She is more of a mother to Juliet than Juliet's actual mother. She tells jokes and just has this way about her that makes her seem likable. Perhaps, her long monologue about how she raised Juliet makes us chuckle. She brings light to the show. Unlike Mercutio, she does not die. Instead, she quickly changes personalities. Towards the end of the show, she can not even be on Juliet's side. The nurse betrays Juliet and later regrets it.
Since I acted in this show and am currently in production of "West Side Story", two characters are very near and dear to my heart. The first of which would be Paris. The county Paris is the man that the Capulet family intends for Juliet to marry. He reaches his most poignant point in the tomb when he confronts Romeo in a battle to the death. Honestly, Paris is a tough part to play. He is not as explosive as Romeo and Mercutio. With all things considered, I would not call him boring. Paris is very much the typical comical suitor that I have played before. On the other hand, he has his entire life turned upside when Juliet fakes her death. He is sent in deep shock. As I learned quickly, only a talented actor can play devastation well.
Playing Bernardo has also placed Tybalt in a special place in my heart. Bernardo is Tybalt's "West Side Story" parallel. Mercutio and Tybalt are almost complete opposites. While Mercutio impresses his companions with his wit and humor, Tybalt shows how poise and prominent a man he is. He does the most fighting of anyone in the show. Tybalt defeats Mercutio, has a small battle in the beginning scene, and loses to Romeo. Of course, Tybalt could also be responsible for causing the problem in this show. This rival to all Montague's sees Romeo at the Capulet Ball. Tybalt is also the one who gets Romeo banished (although he may have not totally have intended to die). With all the evidence spelled out in black and white, it seems like Tybalt may be the one behind this tragedy.
How can I even begin to criticize "Romeo and Juliet"? It themes are as timeless as time itself. Until the world is rid of disunity, this show's will still resonate into every human soul. Shakespeare pretty much shouts how terrible hatred can be. Back in November, I mentioned how there is a Jewish version of this play between an Israeli Romeo an a Palestinian Juliet. Shakespeare could only hope that his play could stop the violence of the world. In all the drama of "Capulet vs Montague", we also see how powerful love is. Clearly, Romeo and Juliet are inseparable. In the balcony scene and even at the ball, we see a side of Shakespeare that touches every human's feeling of love. His poetry in this play compare to his sonnets, which are just beautiful. These star-crossed lovers are so inseparable that they bring another concept to our attention. Death is a powerful matter. Montague and Capulet alike do not realize how meek their brawls were until they see their only children lying helplessly in the tomb. This is just what you can get from reading the show!
As an actor, "Romeo and Juliet" has a range of characters and even emotions that those characters have to portray. From the explosive, romantic Romeo to the cheerful, backstabbing Nurse, some characters travel up and down the emotional spectrum. A show with such momentum is challenging, yet so rewarding. Whether it is reading or acting, I would recommended this show to any beginner wanting to dive into Shakespeare world. Like I stated earlier, this is probably the most famous plot ever written. That basic understanding will help a reader deal with the "difficult" language Shakespeare puts in this play."I understand what is going on, but I may not understand every single word" said one parent the week of our production.
To conclude, we just have to discuss the many modern settings of this tragedy. The most famous of these would definitely be "West Side Story". Jerome Robbins and Leonard Bernstein are ingenious for setting this drama to song and dance in 1960's New York! One of my favorite parts of performing "Romeo and Juliet" was figuring out who everybody's "West Side" parallels were. Another production I would recommend is Baz Lehrman's 1996 "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet". Lerhman creates an amazing epic using almost the exact Elizabeth vocabulary in violence-ridden Verona Beach, a fictional suburb of Los Angeles. Every aspect of the movie will blow your mind. Finally, "Gnomeo and Juliet" is probably the most recent of these modern endeavors. Although I laughed at the concept at first (and during the movie), I appreciated Elton John's attempt to bring a classic to a younger audience. I would not endorse that anybody use "Gnomeo" as their basis of knowledge for this play, but it is helpful. Thus ends this review "of Juliet and her Romeo" (V.iii.310).
Cited Sources
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Ed. John Crowther. New York: Spark, 2003. Print.
After that, Romeo is sentenced by the prince to banishment in Mantua. As "brilliant" as the Capulet's are, they plan a wedding for their daughter. Without Romeo around her, Juliet is doomed to marry the nobleman Paris. She seeks Friar Lawrence's help at the church. The friar gives Juliet a poison that will keep her unconscious enough to be buried in the tomb. She will eventually awake and be able to leave Verona and all its troubles. Everything goes according to plan until Romeo catches untimely word of Juliet's death. He comes back to see her, but alas she is gone. In shock, he drinks a poison and kills himself to be with her. Just as he does that, Juliet awakes. Seeing the deceased Romeo, she stabs herself. The pair of suicides shocks both families. Since the tale ends there, only Shakespeare knows the fate of Verona.
Many characters in "Romeo and Juliet" have dual personalities. For instance, Romeo begins the play displaying a very gentle disposition. He is just getting over his breakup with Rosaline. Even as he meets Juliet, Romeo seems tranquil. Forgetting Rosaline instantly, love overcomes him. Later, Romeo snaps like a twig. Like any other youth, Romeo is lost with his emotions. He feels vengeful, but loving. He is depressed, yet joyous. In the tomb, Romeo proves that he would do anything for his love Juliet. Shakespeare's title character has a spirit that touches the human soul.
While Romeo is played as a gentle yet vicious character, Juliet is written quite differently. Juliet is more of a powerful woman stuck in the wrong time. Shakespeare does not write weak female roles. Just as Lady Macbeth had a resonant role in the play, Juliet has a brain and a voice. She had the bravery to stand up to her father, one of noblest men in Verona. Unlike the Scottish king's wife, Juliet is powerless in her world. She feels no other choice but to fake her death. She is only gentle when she is with or thinking about her beloved Romeo. Although we can credit Juliet for being powerful, she also creates her own downfall. Juliet is the one that has them marry each other.
Of all these glorious characters, Mercutio is probably my personal favorite. Mercutio is one of two comedic roles in this play that distract a reader from the true tragedy of the story. He is Romeo's comical best friend. Throughout the first two and a half acts, Mercutio teases Romeo about Rosaline. He calls him a "madman" and a "lover". Even during his last scene, Mercutio makes a mockery of the hot-tempered Tybalt. Mercutio is a joker so much to the extent that those around him think he is not really dead. They laugh and laugh until his bloody hand comes up. Mercutio is no fool. He is just one casualty that Verona has in this fight between two families.
On the Capulet side, I would have to say that I like the nurse the most. She is more of a mother to Juliet than Juliet's actual mother. She tells jokes and just has this way about her that makes her seem likable. Perhaps, her long monologue about how she raised Juliet makes us chuckle. She brings light to the show. Unlike Mercutio, she does not die. Instead, she quickly changes personalities. Towards the end of the show, she can not even be on Juliet's side. The nurse betrays Juliet and later regrets it.
Since I acted in this show and am currently in production of "West Side Story", two characters are very near and dear to my heart. The first of which would be Paris. The county Paris is the man that the Capulet family intends for Juliet to marry. He reaches his most poignant point in the tomb when he confronts Romeo in a battle to the death. Honestly, Paris is a tough part to play. He is not as explosive as Romeo and Mercutio. With all things considered, I would not call him boring. Paris is very much the typical comical suitor that I have played before. On the other hand, he has his entire life turned upside when Juliet fakes her death. He is sent in deep shock. As I learned quickly, only a talented actor can play devastation well.
Playing Bernardo has also placed Tybalt in a special place in my heart. Bernardo is Tybalt's "West Side Story" parallel. Mercutio and Tybalt are almost complete opposites. While Mercutio impresses his companions with his wit and humor, Tybalt shows how poise and prominent a man he is. He does the most fighting of anyone in the show. Tybalt defeats Mercutio, has a small battle in the beginning scene, and loses to Romeo. Of course, Tybalt could also be responsible for causing the problem in this show. This rival to all Montague's sees Romeo at the Capulet Ball. Tybalt is also the one who gets Romeo banished (although he may have not totally have intended to die). With all the evidence spelled out in black and white, it seems like Tybalt may be the one behind this tragedy.
How can I even begin to criticize "Romeo and Juliet"? It themes are as timeless as time itself. Until the world is rid of disunity, this show's will still resonate into every human soul. Shakespeare pretty much shouts how terrible hatred can be. Back in November, I mentioned how there is a Jewish version of this play between an Israeli Romeo an a Palestinian Juliet. Shakespeare could only hope that his play could stop the violence of the world. In all the drama of "Capulet vs Montague", we also see how powerful love is. Clearly, Romeo and Juliet are inseparable. In the balcony scene and even at the ball, we see a side of Shakespeare that touches every human's feeling of love. His poetry in this play compare to his sonnets, which are just beautiful. These star-crossed lovers are so inseparable that they bring another concept to our attention. Death is a powerful matter. Montague and Capulet alike do not realize how meek their brawls were until they see their only children lying helplessly in the tomb. This is just what you can get from reading the show!
As an actor, "Romeo and Juliet" has a range of characters and even emotions that those characters have to portray. From the explosive, romantic Romeo to the cheerful, backstabbing Nurse, some characters travel up and down the emotional spectrum. A show with such momentum is challenging, yet so rewarding. Whether it is reading or acting, I would recommended this show to any beginner wanting to dive into Shakespeare world. Like I stated earlier, this is probably the most famous plot ever written. That basic understanding will help a reader deal with the "difficult" language Shakespeare puts in this play."I understand what is going on, but I may not understand every single word" said one parent the week of our production.
To conclude, we just have to discuss the many modern settings of this tragedy. The most famous of these would definitely be "West Side Story". Jerome Robbins and Leonard Bernstein are ingenious for setting this drama to song and dance in 1960's New York! One of my favorite parts of performing "Romeo and Juliet" was figuring out who everybody's "West Side" parallels were. Another production I would recommend is Baz Lehrman's 1996 "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet". Lerhman creates an amazing epic using almost the exact Elizabeth vocabulary in violence-ridden Verona Beach, a fictional suburb of Los Angeles. Every aspect of the movie will blow your mind. Finally, "Gnomeo and Juliet" is probably the most recent of these modern endeavors. Although I laughed at the concept at first (and during the movie), I appreciated Elton John's attempt to bring a classic to a younger audience. I would not endorse that anybody use "Gnomeo" as their basis of knowledge for this play, but it is helpful. Thus ends this review "of Juliet and her Romeo" (V.iii.310).
Cited Sources
Shakespeare, William. Romeo and Juliet. Ed. John Crowther. New York: Spark, 2003. Print.
Friday, February 25, 2011
What is life's meaning?
Once again, we read another portion on how the Tabernacle was designed and built. A few weeks ago we learned about the design God intends to be built. Over this Shabbat, the Israelites actually construct their tent for worship. It is quite a contrast to last week's shock following the golden calf incident. While building the Tabernacle, the twelve tribes worked together to create something beautiful. People use their particular skills to contribute to the finished product. No one person thought about themselves upon building the Tabernacle. They were all just working together to do God's work on Earth.
When we talk about the meaning of Judaism, we think about it as an "on Earth" religion. Unlike Christianity, Jews do not have a sure belief in the afterlife. We agree to disagree about life after death. Jews believe that God put us on Earth to enhance the creation that is already there. Much like in the parshat, we are supposedly working together to make the world a better place. In this week's portion (Vayakhel), we are literally building something to encompass God on Earth. Nowadays, we follow the 613 mitzvot in the Torah to help perfect God's initial ideas. Instead of letting life go by until a fate in heaven or hell, Jews embrace life on Earth. We try to have the best experiences we can before moving on to the afterlife.
Over the course of my fourteen years, I believe I have somewhat found one of the meanings of life. In my lifetime, I intend to fix the world through charity and kindness while maintaining my own happiness and stability. I am willing to bring people into my life who can help me achieve this goal. Just like the Israelites, I want to use my skills to create something great. By stability, I mean that I intend to put out enough food, water, and shelter for my family and myself. Money has no say in my meaning of life. Hopefully, the world can continue to work towards a better creation. I know that we can establish a wonderful, new domain.
When we talk about the meaning of Judaism, we think about it as an "on Earth" religion. Unlike Christianity, Jews do not have a sure belief in the afterlife. We agree to disagree about life after death. Jews believe that God put us on Earth to enhance the creation that is already there. Much like in the parshat, we are supposedly working together to make the world a better place. In this week's portion (Vayakhel), we are literally building something to encompass God on Earth. Nowadays, we follow the 613 mitzvot in the Torah to help perfect God's initial ideas. Instead of letting life go by until a fate in heaven or hell, Jews embrace life on Earth. We try to have the best experiences we can before moving on to the afterlife.
Over the course of my fourteen years, I believe I have somewhat found one of the meanings of life. In my lifetime, I intend to fix the world through charity and kindness while maintaining my own happiness and stability. I am willing to bring people into my life who can help me achieve this goal. Just like the Israelites, I want to use my skills to create something great. By stability, I mean that I intend to put out enough food, water, and shelter for my family and myself. Money has no say in my meaning of life. Hopefully, the world can continue to work towards a better creation. I know that we can establish a wonderful, new domain.
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