Shake Your Lulav!

Charlie is wearing his first yarmulke in this photo but I admit it looks more like a French beret on his small head.  His recent hospitalization coincided with Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur but we’re home for Sukkot which lasts all of this week as well as Simchat Torah next week—the “fun” holidays.

Yesterday I was in a Citibank parking lot when a young Lubavitcher approached me with an etrog and lulav, two of the ritual items used by observant Jews during Sukkot. He was part of the Chabad movement, a branch of Chasidic Jews whose mission is to help non-observant Jews return to more orthodox practices. The photo above shows a Lubavitcher approaching a secular Jew in New York. My Chasid was even younger than the guy in the photo. He asked me if I was Jewish and when I said I was, he asked if I’d shaken a lulav yet this year. A lulav is a frond from a date palm tree and you're supposed to shake the lulav each day during Sukkot. I said I hadn’t and he asked if I wanted to. Sure, I said. I always stop whenever I’m approached by the Chabadniks. I’ve written about my fascination with Chasidic culture a few times. I know I could never be part of such a group but I look forward to spontaneous interactions with them (my last encounter was learning how to “lay teffilin” in a “mitzvah mobile” in the theatre district of New York). The Lubavitcher guy in the parking lot gave me his hat and put his hand on his head. “Do I need to do that?” I asked. “No,” he replied, “it’s only because I have to cover my head and I just gave you my hat!” I held the etrog, the yellow lemon-like citron in my left hand, the tall lulav in my right, and recited two prayers. Then I shook my lulav for all it was worth. “You look good in a hat,” he said cheerfully as I was walking away. “A yarmulke would suit you even more!” Here’s a video currently making the rounds of people getting their Sukkot Shake on:

Hey, I didn’t say we weren’t a strange people. Normally, I can’t stand being accosted by people on the street but I’ll always stop and talk to the Chabad folks. It isn’t only because they’re my people, I’m equally fascinated by other religious emissaries who take the time to talk to those with different beliefs. Mormon missionaries are constantly roaming the streets of my neighborhood. You can spot the clean-cut white boys in suits a mile away and for some reason they seem to target African-American homes. They haven’t come to our house yet but I’d definitely invite them in. Except I’d be the one asking most of the questions. What are you trying to do, exactly, get people to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or simply to goose up their Christianity? What is the Mormon Church’s position on Judaism? What do you think about gay marriage? Do you really believe that Joseph Smith found golden plates containing the Book of Mormon buried near his home in New York State? Have you ever seen “Big Love?” An Osmond concert?

This morning we took Charlie, aka Chaim Yehuda Shmuel, to see his neurosurgeon for a post-op exam and to have his stitches removed. All is going well with his new shunt, thank God, and we were out of there in about 20 minutes. (The last time we went to see Dr. Danielpour we were admitted to the hospital for 10 more days!) Charlie remains a constant delight, we love every second of having him at home. I think of all the people who warned us to get all the sleep we could and to do everything we wanted because basically,they said, life as we know it would come to an end as soon as we had a baby. Having already raised a child I knew that wasn’t true. And it’s really not. Which is not to say it isn’t one of the most challenging things any person on the planet could do but I grew tired of all the naysayers during Kendall’s pregnancy. Yes, we’re tired and can’t go out as much as we did before. Big deal!

I can’t wait until Charlie can participate in the activities of our cool synagogue and enjoy the Jewish holidays. I have many wonderful memories of those days from my childhood, even if it takes roving Chabadniks to remind me how to perform most of the religious rituals.

Start peeling potatoes—only 67 days until Chanukah!  

Comments

[Otir]

Chag Sameakh Danny!

My son asked about Charlie last shabbat because he had noticed my mentioning his name in my list of people I pray for at Mi Sheberach, so he wanted to know who was this Charlie and what did he have to be healed for.

Also, you know that the Lulav shake as you say :-) is a very spiritual and deep operation, that can definitely reground you in the essential movements with your emotions, especially in those very,well, shaky times that you have been going through.

I am not a very observant person myself, I don't want to mislead people who read me and would believe that just from all I speak about. I have a deep love for our rituals though, and wish I was taking the time to perform them more dutifully. They contain all the wisdom that we tend to forget about, sometimes just because we simply treat them as rituals, blindly, and forget about the meanings within.

[Arlene]

Danny, he is just getting cuter and stronger by the minute! So happy you are enjoying him!!!

[Neil]

I think it is perfect that his yarmulke can double as a beret when he goes to poetry readings in the La Brea area after shul.

[Erica M]

I am a Jehovah's Witness magnet. Magnet, I tell you. I end the conversation by asking them if they know my stepmom who happens to keep me awash in The Watchtower. Say what you will, you can't knock devotion.

[Gordon]

Dear Danny,

I'm jealous. It looks like Jewish people get to have a lot of fun. Regarding the words of the song in the video that you posted, I wonder how many youngsters know what is meant by, "shake it like a Polaroid picture ?"

Glad to hear that our little Charlie is doing well.

[Julie R.]

What a great post--it combines cute pictures of Charlie, good news about his appointment, and interesting information about my culture that I never knew about.

[Michele]

Danny, you have the most fantastic attitude on the planet. I'm so grateful that you're sharing your story here. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[TorontoPearl]

Chag Sameach, Danny. Our sukkah is only ____ miles away from your house, but the Miller family presence could only enhance its decor. Maybe one day we'll get to see you 'round these parts...

[Pam G]

Great photo. Interesting to hear about the rituals. I saw this holiday listed on my calendar and was trying to remember what it involved. Hope Charlie continues to do well.

[david]

Charlie has a strong Miller look to him. You know how babies look like old people in a way? A grown-up version of him would fit right into those pictures you've posted of your aunts and uncles.

Which is to say: he looks great.

Chag Sameach.

[Heather]

Look at those beautiful big eyes! Danny, he is just the sweetest little guy. I am so happy that he's really home now. The yarmulke pic cracked me up -- definitely the one you should blow up huge and have people sign during his Bar Mitzvah. :)

[churlita]

Awww. I love those photos of Charlie and I'm glad everything is going so well with him. That video is hilarious too

[Dave]

Great photo and even better news about Charlie. I've learned more about my religion from your posts than I did from Hebrew School.

[Marc and Judy Davis]

Hi Danny, Kendall, Leah and Charlie, who also looks like his grandpa, Peter. We spent the break-fast dinner with your Dad, and your Uncle Bill and Aunt Avra. Naturally, we talked about your family, and you were all much in our thoughts. Have a happy holiday, and shake that lulav vigorously, eight to the bar. Marc and Judy.

[gorillabuns]

I must say, Charlie has so much life showing in his beautiful eyes.

[Elaine Soloway]

Love it, especially Charlie's photos. Yum.

xoxo
Fake Grandma

[OldOldLady Of The Hills]

In looking at the Video those things thry are shaking are not like any Palm Fronds I have ever seen...lol...A true Date Palm Frond is quite big! I recall they used the Big ones at our Temple in Great Neck...Of course that was a Very Very VERY long time ago...! I don't what it is they are using in the ideo but it must be from some teeny tiny itty bitty Palms...!

Charlie looks wonderful! So sweeet and so very beautiful. I LOVE his double duty Hat....He will fit right in, In France, too!
HAPPY HOLIDAY MY DEARS!

[Dave]

First of all I'm so happy to hear good news about Charlie!!! I'll keep you all in my prayers. And speaking of religion...well kind of. I'm so glad you had the experience with the young Lubavitcher.

I was just talking to a friend recently and mentioned that I wish I could be a better Christian. I admire those who live their lives in total devotion to their God. I wish I were as dedicated and more practicing of the rituals of my faith.

So i'm living a little vicariously through your experience in the parking lot. Different faith yes, but faith none-the-less.