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Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
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Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
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Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
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Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
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Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
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Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
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Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
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Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
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January 13, 2012
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January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
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Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
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January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
July 7, 2004
/ 18 Tamuz, 5764
The Wandering Jew, updated
By
S. Horowitz
This summer, if you come across a religious family in transit, instead of staring, say 'Hi'. You may even want to congratulate them on upholding a tradition begun at the Exodus
http://www.jewishworldreview.com |
For our trials and travels throughout history — and the unique marks left in the places inhabited — we Members of the Tribe have been described aptly as the "Wandering Jews."
Nowadays, though, the old-time Wandering Jew takes on a very different role. What might an updated picture of the Wandering Jew look like? My indisputable hunch, especially at this time of the year, would be — a snapshot of an oversized vehicle sputtering at top speed along the highway en route to the Catskill Mountains!
Wandering Jews continue to attract attention — sometimes even smiles of appreciation. Why? Because the identifiably Jewish family, as it relocates itself, creates quite a conspicuous picture. In fact, it's inevitable.
Surrounded on all sides by spacious SUVs and minivans carrying three demur matching
suitcases, two trim adults and 1.2 children, who have
spent the last hour arguing about who owns the "middle" of the rear
seat while an unnoticed Spiderman DVD plays overhead, the Jewish vehicle and its occupants look unusual.
When a religious Jew travels, his lifestyle in its entirety comes along for the ride. And it is a lifestyle he faithfully adheres to. It's no wonder that the vehicles are large and loaded and absolutely a sight to behold.
In the picture of our modern day Wandering Jews, shot, of course, with the most up-to-date digital camera, there would be smiling, giggling faces peering out the front, side, and back windows. Snack bags and lunches are dangling from little shoulders or floating around in the rear. The family's luggage, if it's already been towed, has left space now primarily monopolized by passengers. Otherwise, the vehicle would be transporting both passengers and their belongings, in which case a miscellany of paraphernalia would be piled high on the roof and stacked against the windows, the gleeful faces still discernable amid the collage.
If you're figuring a maximum, encompassing an entire family's worth of belongings, the picture is, well, massive. There'd be complete wardrobes of clothing, both weekday and
Shabbes (Sabbath), for each member of the family. That means dresses, suits, robes, sportswear, loungewear, sleepwear and swimwear.
Equally important are the headgear, both weekday and Shabbes — snoods, wigs and fedoras, caps, and shtreimlich, etc., all with accompanying boxes. Footgear, as well, takes a sizeable space — weekday shoes, Shabbes shoes, non-leather Tisha B'Av shoes, walking shoes, sneakers and slippers. Then there are supplies — playground, kitchen, housewares, bath, laundry, Shabbes, and linens.
One will also find a box stuffed with books — children's books, religious texts, or two, or three.
An observant Jewish traveler's minimum would include his "prayer gear" — tallis, tefillin, siddur — and kosher lunch, because we can't exactly chow down at the nearest Golden Arches.
When the Family In Motion stops off at a rest area, what a scene unfolds! Uncle Moishy, who reminds his listeners through song to always behave and respect their parents, is turned off and out jump a half-dozen jolly youngsters running to use the restrooms. Once "rested," they wash their hands ritually, unwrap their sandwiches, and open their kosher drinks, murmuring blessings before and after their snacks.
And so it must be. Because a believing, observant Jew is a Jew wherever he is — at home, on the road, or in his faraway niche in the mountains. Ever since the Exodus, Jews have been adept at packing, traveling, and maneuvering their belongings without compromising an iota of religion, principles, or even customs.
It may not be polite to stare, but we don't mind the looks of astonishment — nor, for that matter, the smiles — we receive. Fitting the old-time description of the Wandering Jew is actually a badge of honor. It's indicative of our adherence to Jewishness and religiosity.
And as we settle into our camping sites and soon thereafter into our favorite coffee klatches — remember, the bigger it is, the better. With a hearty "come on, pull up a chair" or "come join", the circle immediately spreads wider. And the atmosphere is kinder, happier and unified.
And, wondrously, the Jew, as he wanders and no matter where he is, is never that far from home.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in Washington
and in the media consider "must reading." Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
S. Horowitz is a contributor to the Jewish weekly, Yated Ne'eman. Comment by clicking here.
© 2004, Yated Ne'eman
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