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October 20, 2006
Seraphic Book Review -- Plus Deleted Scenes
From today's Los Angeles Jewish Journal, here's my review of Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom's Between The Lines of the Bible: A Study From the New School of Orthodox Torah Commentary, Published by Yashar Books, Inc. Brooklyn NY.
The original title of my review was: "The Unbearbale Pleasure of Torah Between the Lines."
I wrote a sidebar that was meant to achieve a few simple things:
1. To disclose that I daven with Rabbi Etshalom in the Young Israel of Century City Early Minyan.
2. To reveal that Rabbi Etshalom is a sophisticated and fun man, not an ivory tower scholar.
3. To infuse a little fun into an otherwise straightforward review.
4. And, let's face it, I can never pass up the opportunity to recommend a few great American, Japanese and Chinese films.
Anyway, the Journal cut the sidebar because they did not have the space.
But I do. And here it is.
Full disclosure: I’m a member of the Young Israel of Century City where I attend the early minyan. Guess who’s the Rabbi of the early minyan? Yup. Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom. Okay, you’re thinking I have to give this book a good review. Well, truth is, I didn’t have to review the book at all. I did it because I admired and learned a great deal from this fine volume. Besides, Rabbi Etshalom and I have a pretty proscribed relationship. After services, the minyan gathers in back and everyone positively dives for the cholent. Here’s an example of what Rabbi Etshalom and I talk about. As you’ll see, we Orthodox are involved in, um, truly profound Torah conversations.
Rabbi Etshalom: So Robert, what’s the best Civil War movie ever made?
Me: Ride with the Devil, 1999, starring Tobey Maguire, written by James Schamus and directed by Ang Lee. A neglected masterpiece.
Rabbi Etshalom: Okaaay. Never heard of it. I’ll Netflix it. Have you seen any really good martial arts movies lately?
Me: Hero, starring Jet Li and the stunning Ziyi Zhang. Look for the battle scene at the calligraphy school. Poetry in motion.
Rabbi Etshalom: Netflix again. I happen to love Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Me: The sword fight in the trees, a true b’racha.
Rabbi Etshalom: Can you recommend any great Japanese movies?
Me: Akira Kurosawa’s The Seven Samurai. The greatest movie ever made.
Rabbi Etshalom: Oh, I’ve seen it, of course.
Me: Rashomon.
Rabbi Etshalom: Are you kidding, a classic.
Me: Ugetsu.
Rabbi Etshalom: Noooooo, never even heard of it.
Me: Unbelievable film. It was produced in 1953, directed by the great Kenji Mizoguchi, and stars Machiko Kyo, absolutely the most talented and beautiful actress ever to appear in the movies. Mystical and terribly tragic. It’s like the most Jewish of Japanese movies.
Rabbi Etshalom: Great, this calls for more cholent.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at October 20, 2006 09:52 AM
Comments
Seraphic Secret is private property, that's right, it's an extension of our home, and as such, Karen and I have instituted two Seraphic Rules and we ask commentors to act respectfully.
1. No profanity.2. No Israel bashing. We debate, we discuss, we are respectful. You know what Israel bashing is. The world is full of it. Seraphic Secret is one of the few places in the world that will not tolerate this form of anti-Semitism. That's it. Break either of these rules and you will be banned.
Robert, although I have to disagree with you on the readability of the book (based on the excerpts at yasharbooks.com), the cholent sounds phenomenal!
I do have to say that your review led me to at least read the excerpts, although deciding ultimately to not purchase the book. Thank you!
Posted by: hmmm at October 20, 2006 12:30 PM
Hmmm:
Readability is in the eyes and mind of the reader. And oh boy is the cholent and conversation good, especially at 9 in the morning!
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 20, 2006 12:34 PM
I can get into talking about books, or films, or music at 9 o'clock on a Shabbos morning. Cholent at that hour I just don't understand! (but shmaltz herring would be acceptable)
Have a good Shabbos.
Posted by: Pearl at October 20, 2006 02:52 PM
Pearl:
They serve herring too, but I make believe it doesn't exist.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 20, 2006 03:02 PM
Saw Hero in the theater. Twice. Breathtaking and romantic tale of sacrifice and honor. One for the ages.
Posted by: Jeremiah at October 21, 2006 07:21 PM
Cholent and herring? Heresy!
Cholent is for early morning to midday. Herring is for shaleshides.
Posted by: hmmm at October 21, 2006 11:06 PM
Here is my confession regarding Rabbi Etshalom. I went to camp with him for a number of years. He tells some fantastic stories.
Posted by: Jack at October 22, 2006 09:29 AM
Jack:
Rabbi Etshalom tells great stories, especially over cholent at 9 in the morning.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 22, 2006 09:44 AM
Absolutely. He is part of a lot of good memories for me.
Posted by: Jack at October 22, 2006 06:24 PM
One more "confession" here. Yitz has been a rabbi for as long as I have known him, but I am far more comfortable calling him Yitz than Rabbi Etshalom.
The camp setting permeates all.
Posted by: Jack at October 22, 2006 09:40 PM
I saw Ugetsu a few months ago for the first time, Robert. It is FANTASTIC! I still think about that movie when I am waiting in the grocery store line or wherever. I just put Ride With the Devil on my Netflix list. BASED ON YOUR RECOMMENDATION! So I hope it's good!
Posted by: Amy at October 23, 2006 05:56 AM
Amy:
Glad you liked "Ugetsu". I also recommend Mizoguchi's film: "Life of Oharu." Also a masterpiece.
Let me warn you that "Ride With the Devil" is very different. It's much more muscular, much more, er, male. Still, a fine film.
In any case, let me know how you like it.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 23, 2006 08:13 AM
Jeremiah:
"Hero" is one of the few films that benefits by being seen on the big screen.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 23, 2006 08:29 AM
Robert, I'm sure I'll like Ride With the Devil then. I like muscular males, and I mean that in the most innocuous way.
Posted by: Amy at October 23, 2006 09:52 AM
Amy:
Do let me know what you think of the film.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 23, 2006 10:32 AM
I bought "Between the Lines..." for a plane trip this week, and quickly covered half the book on the two flights. It is a sophisticated and original analysis and I add my endorsement. Gil
Posted by: Gil Weinreich at October 27, 2006 04:10 PM
Gil:
Glad to hear you like the sefer so much. You should write to Rabbi Etshalom and let him know of your endorsement.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at October 27, 2006 04:37 PM