Herod The Great: statesman, visionary, tyrant

Norman Gelb’s study of Herod the Great rehabilitates the tyrant into a multifaceted positive personality in contradistinction to the common notion that Herod was a typical Near East evil tyrant.  Mr. Gelb uses the critical skills of the historian to show that Herod was actually sympathetic to Jewish communities of the diaspora and quite philanthropic making him popular outside of the land of Israel.  Herod's paranoid personality does not obstruct his ability to adapt to the political machinations of Rome to his own benefit. The author details the rise of Herod's father in the court of Hyrcanus, Herod's murderous defense of the northern district being summoned to the Sanhedrin for judgement, his escape, his alliances with the different Caesars and their accompanying political intrigues.  Eventually the reader is told that he stabilizes his kingdom all the while rooting out real and imagined Hasmoneon threats to his rule.

Dismissing the authority of Jewish tradition, the author makes a vigorous case about Herod’s Jewishness, despite the fact that the local Jewish populace never accepts him and he himself identifies more with Rome than with Jewish observance.  The author makes the Jewish claim based on Herod's patrilineal descent through his grandfather's forced conversion during John Hyrcanus' conquest of Idumea. Mr. Gelb utilizes critical historical methods when he says that the traditional Jewish line of matrilineal descent is not established until well over 300 years later. [Such a claim is limited by the assumption that a lack of evidence implies actual evidence.  I am assuming that he is pointing to the Mishnaic source of matrilineal descent appearing much later.]  He ignores the possibility that the Mishna represents traditions much older.   

One must also point out that the Jewish tradition accepts the phase of Herod’s renovation of the Second Temple (although Mr. Gelb calls it a third Temple, not a renovation like Jewish tradition) as a rehabilitated phase, a result of regretting his harsh brutality against the rabbis.  

Mr. Gelb oddly claims that the salient feature of the Herodean era is the emergence of Jesus and his followers.  One can argue, however, that the salient feature is the rise of Pharisaic Judaism, the schools of Hillel and Shammai and the literary output of the Oral Torah publicized by the rabbinic tradition.  Hillel, a contemporary of Herod the Great, being a Babylonian and not Hasmoneon poses no threat to Herod and his teaching house flourishes. By contrast, Jesus and his followers only appear during the end of the Herodean period and remain an insignificant group of sectarian Jews, without affecting the Jewish people of the land of Israel. 

After displaying the tools of the critical historian throughout the book concerning Herod, Mr. Gelb seems to drop those tools and accepts the Christian narrative uncritically as the sequence of the events during the concluding years of this era discussing the crucifixion, Paul's dispute with Peter to evangelize to the pagans, the Jewish Christian sect breaking away much later beyond this era to form a completely different religion.  

The strength of this book is the author's understanding of the politics of Rome and describing Herod's connections and talents in fitting in and coming out on top.

East River by Sholem Asch

A 1946 NY Times Bestseller, this profound novel of Jewish life on the East side of New York touches on all the major themes of growing up in a NYC immigrant household with a Hasidic foundation: poverty, Anti-Semitism, Assimilation, the rise of the Jewish garment industry with emerging Socialism and Jewish radicalism through the growth of the Unions.  It is basically the story of a struggling Jewish family originally from Eastern Europe whose initial residence was the Lower East Side of Manhattan but moves up to 47th Street between First and Second Ave.  The family comprises an Orthodox couple named Davidowsky with two sons, one emerges as a very successful manufacturer in the garment trade, and the other a paralytic struggling to find his voice among the socialist activists.  The real main character of this story, however, is arguably, a sensitive daughter of an Anti-Semitic Irish Catholic who lives among the Jews in the neighborhood.  Although the book probes some very complex psychological issues relating to family dynamics, it analyzes the psychology of Anti-Semitism.  Asch's idealism shines force,however, that despite profound differences in religion, familial love ultimately triumphs.

Mary McCarthy, unable to pay cash, having been rejected by the Italian Catholic grocer, out of desperation, enters Moshe Wolf Davidowsky's grocery .  Mary's first stereo type of Jews is shattered when the Orthodox Jew warmly extends not only credit but also generously recommends traditional Irish corned beef.  She is introduced to Jewish kindness, something unheard of in her Catholic education.  She attributes her fate to Jesus' directing her there.  Her father acts violently upon hearing that his daughter did business with a Jew.  Her experience is different and she ends up befriending the paralytic and becomes his dresser and aid and even confesses being in love with him.

The book takes on a complex plot line making neighborhood childhood friends adult rivals: Catholic Mary competes with Jewish Rachel for the attentions of Irving, Moshe Wolf's younger son, successful businessman.  After surviving the famous Triangle Shirt factory fire at Washington Square, Mary decides on a course of action to maintain financial stability and marry Irving.  Irving goes against Jewish tradition on two counts by marrying out of the faith and denying the request of a man on his death bed.  With the mitigating circumstances of Mary's impending pregnancy  a la Irving and never having been officially committed to Rachel even though the entire neighborhood is under such an impression, Irving never fulfills the dying man's wish and marries Mary.  Irving, nevertheless uses Rachel to gain funding for his own company by taking out a loan from her wealthy Uncle.

When the intermarriage is revealed much soul searching ensues despite the traditional Shiva period as if one died, Moshe Wolf says kaddish for Irving.  The intermarriage seems intact, however, until Mary violates the agreement with Irving that the child not be raised in either faith when she brings the child to baptism in the Church. The married couple argue; Irving is devastated and Mary goes off on an anti-Jewish rant because such an agreement is illegitimate from the beginning from a Christian point of view and Irving should have known that from a Jewish point of view too.

The whole family is initially broken up and even disgraced in the Synagogue. Ultimately, the qualities of reconciliation and kindness triumph. Moshe Wolf struggles with the concept of an uncircumcised gentile grandson, "one to grow up and hate the Jews". Jewish concepts of never shaming a person, and of being merciful ring out in the piety of Moshe Wolf when he does not hold a grudge against Mary for baptizing her child.  He argues that the child goes after the mother.  All this time, Mary is overwhelmed with Moshe Wolf's piety and humanity.  There is even a hint at Mary's faith in Jesus beginning to wane since all of her Jewish experiences comprise of love, something that was lacking in her own family. The Davidowskys accept her even with her faith.

The Passover scene where Mary as a believing Catholic attempts at making sincere kosher preparations for her pious father in law seems to strain credibility.  What makes this book a compelling read is, however, the reality of assimilation in America and the American value of liberal acceptance.  The sad truth is when one lacks a strong faith, lacks a Jewish education, and strives to Americanize, then the Biblical prohibition of intermarriage is overwhelmed by simple love and acceptance.

Willie's Time by Charles Einstein

The most exciting, most talented baseball player that I ever saw was Willie Mays.  My family's transition from living in New York to moving to the San Francisco Bay area('64) was during the peak years of Willie Mays, and although I went nuts for the NY Mets when they finally won a pennant and a World Series ('69), Willie Mays was and has always been my favorite baseball player.

One always tried to imitate Willie- one would run the bases with abandon, one would attack the pitched ball with a lightning speed swing, and one would always get rid of the ball to make a play as fast as possible. His range in Center field was awesome.  One believed that there was not a ball he could not get to!  "He played all fields" from Center.  My father would call him 'poetry in motion'.

Charles Einstein wrote a wonderful tribute by documenting his storied career along with the contemporary events that occurred during Willie Mays' time.

The height of his career coincided with the Civil Rights movement and some criticized him because his public persona did not translate into the civil rights activism of a Jackie Robinson or a Curt Flood. Willie Mays, however, was essentially an entertainer on the baseball field   Mr. Einstein, nevertheless, demonstrates that Willie Mays was a leader of men on and off the field during this tumultuous time of America history.  When Alvin Dark showed his traditional Southern upbringing that naturally caused tension on the Giants, Willie Mays stepped up and stopped the dissension.  When a race riot almost occurred when Juan Marichal clubbed Johnny Roseboro over the head, Willie Mays cradled Roseboro, embracing him with friendship and got him out of harm's way.

He was a Baseball genius - doing things that even his manager Clyde King did not understand like shrinking a double into a single so that the pitcher would be forced to pitch to the next batter, Willie McCovery (and not walk him). He could hoodwink a pitcher by claiming that he could not see a pitch so that he could expect it next time.  He would deliberately strike out during a no consequence inning so that he could expect the same pitch later with men on base and deliver the necessary RBI's.

Ted Williams was correct when he said, "Baseball was created for Willie Mays!"  This volume is a great tribute to a great ballplayer; a very worthwhile read of contemporary history.

The Prime Ministers by Yehuda Avner

For one seeking a probing analysis of the different approaches of being the Prime Minister of Israel, Yehuda Avner paints a detailed picture of Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir, Yitzchak Rabin, Menachem Begin and Shimon Peres.  Along the way one gains insight into the various international figures that play so prominently in Middle East politics.  This well written mix of memoir and history teaches some important differences and lessons about Israeli leadership and specifically about the often misunderstood giant personality of Menachem Begin.

Avner, raised in Manchester, UK is called in by Levi Eshkol  as an English specialist and becomes his speech writer, and thus begins his civil service experience seeing the intimate side of the office of the Prime Minister.  He starts out as a religious Zionist identifying not necessarily with the ruling party of Labor.  He sees up close the pressure Eshkol was subjected: being asked to step down in favor of Ben Gurion to lead during the crisis that led up to the Six Day War by opposition leader Menachem Begin. Eshkol proves to be smart, enduring and loved as the one to lead the country during such crisis. Eshkol's Yiddishisms make an indelible mark on the author.

He notes that Golda Meir, strong willed is really a faith based personality.  The faith is not the Jewish faith but rather the 'Zionist Labor faith!'  She adamantly claims she was not religious but had she stayed in Moscow as Ambassador, seeing all those underground Jews congregate in the Great Synagogue perhaps she would have been inspired.  Mr. Avner recounts the intimate interview given to Orianna Fallaci, the famous Italian journalist woman to woman.

Nixon and Kissinger are highlighted.  Although Nixon known to despise liberal Jews refers to Kissinger as 'his Jew', nevertheless, it is Nixon who ordered the airlift during the Yom Kippur war to save the Jewish state.  Henry Kissinger is psychoanalyzed.  His Judaism is completely sublimated as a result of his experiences fleeing Nazi Germany in 1938. Kissinger's family immigrates to Washington Height in Manhattan and joins Rabbi Joseph Breuer's congregation. Emotionally, Kissinger buries his Jewish feelings.

He develops a close trusting relationship with the naturally shy Rabin and is taken by his power of analysis and conceptualization, being able to succinctly size up every situation.  He gains an appreciation for Rabin's bluntness.  However, the book is really about Menachem Begin.  At first, Mr. Avner is very apprehensive about working for Mr. Begin because his reputation as the leader of the opposition party preceded him as a terrorist, warmonger, and demagogue.  Rabin convinces Mr. Avner to work for Mr. Begin because his duty as a civil servant demands it.

Mr. Avner is completely surprised at who the real Menachem Begin is.  As a religious Jew, Avner sees the faith of Menachem Begin as a sincere.  He is the first Prime Minister to hold regular Torah Study sessions, inviting the scholarly class of Hebrew University faculty to share Torah.  The likes of Nehama Liebovitz, Ephraim Urbach and Dr. Yosef Burg delight in sharing their Torah exegesis.  Mr. Begin is first to visit Gedolei Yisroel upon his visits to the USA: Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, The Lubavitcher Rebbe and Rav Moshe Feinstein are felicitously consulted.

Mr. Begin is different than the rest.  He incorporates traditional Jewish identity to his role as Prime Minister.  He incorporates a understanding of Jewish history as a cycle of suffering and redemption in his political explanations.  The Holocaust plays a profound role in understanding the significance of the State of Israel and the destiny of the Jewish people.  When dealing with the American administrations of Carter and Reagan which comprised of some hostile voices, Mr. Begin is eloquent and forceful in putting forth Israel's positions toward the PLO, toward Iraq's nuclear program and incursions into Lebanon.  He refuses to relinquish Israel's right to defend itself, nevertheless, he shows that the Jewish people of Israel are lovers of peace and at the first opportunity succeeds with Anwar Sadat making an enduring peace treaty.

This well written book is very rich in describing world leaders and how they interact with the State of Israel and highly recommended.

TUNE IN: The Beatles all these years, Volume I by Mark Lewisohn

Seeing the Beatles being introduced to Americans on the Ed Sullivan Show is still a vivid memory. Mark Lewisohn has written an history from the group's genesis to just before their meteoric rise on the new pop music scene. This cumbersome book is really only for the dedicated fan because the 800 + pages are filled with just too much minutia about the four men from Liverpool to be that important.  The book's organizational skeleton can seen as the Beatles' teenage formation, honing their skills in Hamburg, Stuart Sutcliffe's relationship with the group, their relationship with Brian Epstein, the firing of drummer Pete Best and his replacement Ringo Starr (Richy Starkey), being rejected by every major recording studio including George Martin at EMI, the machinations that led George Martin's reassessment of the group, their first hit record, the relationship to their music publisher Dick James, with the book's ending with being on the verge of their second hit record.

The members of the group were typical of post WWII youth who were swept up by and swooned over the new American musical phenomenon called 'rock and roll'.  Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Chuck Berry and Little Richard gained a great following and became heroes in the UK. The name 'Beatles' was inspired by the 'Crickets' when John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe came up with a double entendre.  The book made a point of telling that the name was unique because English groups were usually known as the lead singer and his back-up (like Gerry and the Pacemakers, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes etc)

The group put in many hours of playing time in Hamburg, Germany, thus honing their skills as musicians and as a band; the long hours required to stay awake inspired drug use; the neighborhood where they played was a lair of hedonism with the Beatles seeking out its pleasures.  One learns that Stuart Sutcliffe was really a talented artist and not much of a musician but his close friendship with John Lennon stalled his departure from the group.  He marries Astrid Kirchherr from Hamburg, a photographer and his tragic, untimely death shocked the group.

All evidence points to the sacking of Pete Best as a result of his poor performance as a drummer.  He can't seem to keep consistent time nor beat, either slowing down or speeding up, thus compromising the music of the group.  The Beatles wait until they have a manager (to do the dirty job of firing) and the Music Producer's assessment that his play is unacceptable for recording before he is formally severed from the group.

Jewish Brian Epstein discovers the group when he makes good on his business promise to customers that NEMS (North East Music Stores) will procure any record requested.  Although he has trouble finding the Beatles' first coarse recording of  "My Bonnie" from a Hamburg distributor, Epstein is taken in by the sound.  He visits the local group at the famed Cavern Club and falls in love with the group and offers his services to manage them.  Although pejoratives about being Jewish are common, the stereotype about Jews having a flair with money convinces the Beatles that he is a good choice. One learns about real Jewish ethics in Mr. Epstein's business philosophy that he learned from his father and Grandfather: "The fair deal is the right deal!"  As a matter of fact, one sees clearly that Epstein steered clear of any impropriety or accusation of taking advantage of the group.  His fees for services were under market value at 10 percent not to exceed 25 percent (when others were charging between 30 and 50 percent!).

Although George Martin was in charge of comedy records (helping Peter Sellers' career) at EMI and originally passed over the Beatles'  'My Bonnie' demo, behind the scenes office politics required him to record some songs with the Beatles. He did not like "Love me do" because he really did not like the harmonica drawl, nevertheless, he gave the Beatles a better look after the recording started to rise on the pop charts.  Martin's discretion, integrity and originality, willing to experiment with new sounds made him a perfect fit with the Beatles.  Not only was he an accomplished musician with an ear and eye for talent but he was also the perfect sounding board for the group.  He was used as the ax on Pete Best. When hearing Pete's effort on their Demo he would require a replacement drummer for future recordings.

Another Jewish figure that played prominently in the Beatles early success is Dick James (Isaac Vapnick) their music publisher.  He also did the unusual and changed the way business has been done since 1900.  In the past the publisher owned the rights to the sheet music, not the author/artist.  The songwriter earned a small royalty on each sheet music sold.  James saw the great potential of the Beatles and not wanting to eventually lose their business he changed protocol and offered Lennon, McCartney and Epstein a partnership in his business so that not only would the songwriters earn a royalty but would split company profits 50-50.  This eventually created a wealth gap between John and Paul on the one hand with George and Ringo on the other.

I would only recommend this book to the avid fan willing to plow through so much information. The notion that there are two other volumes to continue this saga boggles my mind.  Mr. Lewisohn, nevertheless, utilizes the tools of the historian constantly verifying and cross referencing information with corroborating sources thus making this contribution a very accurate record.

Torah, Chazal & Science by Rabbi Moshe Meiselman

This volume displays the virtuosity and mastery of halacha and science by its author.  Its theme forcefully argues that Torah is a legitimate source of knowledge with its own independent system needing no confirmation from the outside.  The book addresses a new popular literature that attempts to square scientific theories with the Torah and when those theories seem to conflict then the Torah is explained allegorically to fit the theories. 

Some interesting discussions come out of this major contribution.  Rabbi Meiselman elaborates on the approach of Rabbi Joseph Dov Soloveitchik of Boston ZTz"L pertaining to the Tradition and how the age of the universe and the story of Genesis are irreconcilable. He discusses the esoteric nature of the 6 days of creation and the flood story making the scientific theories irrelevant.  For Rabbi Soloveitchik, the scientists overstep their bounds when entering cosmology.

He also explains that the tradents of tradition can not be assailed as the Rambam would classify such disparaging talk as heretical.  The Mesorah, tradition, can only be studied through the chain of authorities implying that well known personages of antiquity would only be viewed out of curiosity.  For Rabbi Soloveitchik, Philo and Josephus mean little to the Halachic tradition.  The relatively newly found Talmudic exegete, Meiri means little and the respected thinker and leader, Don Isaac Abravanel may be interesting only as a Tanach exegete but certainly not as an expert in Talmudic exegesis because they are not found in the chain of the teaching tradition.

Rabbi Meiselman distills what true Torah teaching is all about. He's concerned about what the Kiruv (outreach) movement has popularized.  Torah is not comparative literature, or any type of apologetic. Torah has its own beauty and attraction and one need not revert to fancy tricks, or manipulations or "wow!" moments.  One only is to teach simply and clearly according to the Torah's own system of logic.

This volumes dismisses the approach of many that the Rambam accommodates Greek philosophy and permits allegory when there is a conflict with current philosophic trends.  Rabbi Meiselman demonstrates conclusively that the Rambam accepts Chazal's definitive statements and rejects the philosophy.  The Rambam applies strict rules when interpreting allegorically. He also shows that the Rambam's son, Rabbi Avraham is well aligned with his father about applying allegory.

Rabbi Meiselman demonstrates his deep understanding of the sources of the Mesorah when he declares that one may not go beyond the simple meaning of the text.  When the Torah says the world was created in six days, he shows that there is no conflict even according to the science because the frame of reference of each are distinct from one another.

A major theme of the book is "emunas chachomim," having trust that the sages of the tradition were not simple ancients that can be dismissed when science or technologies change.  One must appreciate that Chazal are bearers of a Divine tradition, a source of absolute truth.  When Chazal make a definitive statement about reality one must accept it without questions.  One must surrender to the authority of the Mesorah, the written and the oral.

This book touches on an old problem.  It is not dissimilar to the conflict that occurred during the early Enlightenment period when there arose the desire to be accepted by the outside and accommodate contemporary expressions and etiquette into the traditional world. Rabbi Meiselman quotes his revered uncle, Rabbi Soloveitchik, saying the Jewish people need not have an inferiority complex about truth and knowledge.  He explains that the true scientist understands the limits of empirical science.  The Torah is the blueprint of the world; therefore, science needs to be reconciled with the Torah and not the other way around.

The Jewish Enlightenment by Shmuel Finer

This volume studies the beginning of the Enlightenment as it affects the Jewish community emerging into the modernity of Central Europe.  Moses Mendelssohn, Naftali Herz Wessely, David Friedlander, and Isaac Euchel are highlighted in this very informative text.  The author puts force a thesis that the adherents of modernity attempt to break the power of the "rabbinic elite" by suggesting changes to the educational curricula and how the "rabbinic elite" react and fight back.  [I am not sure the author uses this term, "rabbinic elite" in a neutral way or gives away his attitude toward some very famous and great rabbis like Landau and Emden.]

With the fall of feudalism, modernity ushers in personal autonomy; Voltaire strikes hard against the Church and monarchy with his Reason and the independent press is exploited as a tool to communicate beyond any church or government.  The Jewish community in Germany emerges from the ghetto with activists promoting emancipation, and tolerance attempting to join the common ground of contemporary general culture as observant Jews.

Mendelssohn comes off as a traditional Jew with no interest in innovating new ways. He is depicted as a commanding silent figure all the while believing that the East European Jew is too obscurantist.  Finer astutely points out that Mendelssohn believed in 'tolerance' in this new age.  He believes the rabbinic ban is completely inappropriate in an age of personal autonomy.  For example, Mendelssohn does not seem to be put off by Solomon Maimon's non-observance and certainly does not believe that he should be excommunicated.  He supports the liberal notion of tolerance.  Nevertheless, Mendelssohn prefers not to be an activist but rather the sage philosopher and most famed Jew of the era.

His student, Naftali Herz Wessely makes the sparks fly by independently calling for a new curriculum for Jewish schools:  traditional Torah Talmud study coupled with the rigors of modern science and contemporary language and etiquette.  Wessely's criticism stings implying that the traditional Jew is backward in need of some training to be of modern worth.  Rabbi David Tevele delivers a fiery sermon denouncing any innovation.  Moreover, the rabbi rejects Wessely's premise that a traditional Jewish education precludes one from being a worthy modern human being.

The traditional rabbis rally around Tevele denouncing Wessely as a heretic!  The hyperbole come fast and furious, forcing the rabbis to eventually articulate their traditional position.  The shock, however, of an independent voice in the Torah community is initially dumbfounding!  The rabbis refuse to engage Wessely directly who is stunned at their ferocious response of heresy.  Wessely a traditional observant Jew, can not understand what could be so terrible about his program.

Friedlander eventually breaks from traditional observance becoming a radical reformer and ultimately an apostate.  Isaac Euchel directs the Jewish Enlightenment press, pressing for changes until the Jewish enlightenment loses its support to assimilation.