Elie Wiesel visited Rockford and spoke at the college some 30 years ago. I went and had one of the proudest days of my life when he asked the audience, "There is a difference between the Hasidic masters as intercessors and Jesus as intermediary, but I don't know what it is." I raised my hand and told him that the difference was obvious, "It is who chooses." (Take that, Kierkegaard!) After the talk, I snuck backstage and he looked at me and said, " Who chooses? Very good!" I asked him who his favorite Hasidic master was and he told me that it varied depending on the day, sometimes this one, sometimes that on. He asked who my favorite was and I immediately told him it was Reb Zusya. He complimented me on a fine choice. Everyone talks about "Night" which of course should be mandatory reading, but his books on Hasidic masters are all also worth reading.
In response, over at Salon dot com, that worthless piece of garbage, Max Blumenthal (but I repeat myself), condemns Wiesel for his moral failings. Reader discretion is advised.
Elie Wiesel visited Rockford and spoke at the college some 30 years ago. I went and had one of the proudest days of my life when he asked the audience, "There is a difference between the Hasidic masters as intercessors and Jesus as intermediary, but I don't know what it is." I raised my hand and told him that the difference was obvious, "It is who chooses." (Take that, Kierkegaard!) After the talk, I snuck backstage and he looked at me and said, " Who chooses? Very good!" I asked him who his favorite Hasidic master was and he told me that it varied depending on the day, sometimes this one, sometimes that on. He asked who my favorite was and I immediately told him it was Reb Zusya. He complimented me on a fine choice. Everyone talks about "Night" which of course should be mandatory reading, but his books on Hasidic masters are all also worth reading.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely terrific comment. You can be sure that never before in my life have I ever wondered about Elie Wiesel's "Hasidic masters"!
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Very interesting. Sincerely.
Very sad news. RIP.
ReplyDeleteIn response, over at Salon dot com, that worthless piece of garbage, Max Blumenthal (but I repeat myself), condemns Wiesel for his moral failings. Reader discretion is advised.
ReplyDelete