Stephan Lichtenauer | נח סתוThere are a few great people I am missing on #Mazeldon from the times of #Jtwitter.
One of them is the awesome #maimonides_nutz, so it probably is time to start a small fandom thread about her work.
「When things are getting a little hairy, I like to think to myself “at least I'm not being carried away by a giant bird!" I don't know what I would do if I actually WERE being carried away by a giant bird, | would probably utter the phrase “gam zu I'tovah” — this too is for the good.
Gam zu I'tovah is a phrase attributed to Nachum Ish #Gamzu, a rabbi in the Talmud known for unyielding optimism. In his story, unfortunate things keep happening to him, and to each of them he says “gam zu I'tovah.” As the story progresses, we learn that indeed, each one happens to be for the good.
On a date I explained this design to the guy and he said “oh, so you REALLY hate the phrase" and I laughed, but | don't think that's quite true. It is that I think the story is kind of absurd. Perhaps there's wisdom to it though. 」
「If so, lamah zeh anochi? (translated on #Sefaria as: if so, why do I exist?) #Rivkah asks this when she feels the twins #Esau and #Jacob locked in a struggle in her womb. God answers "two nations are within you, and the older shall serve the younger.”
I keep asking myself: does God truly answer her? Is this all we're meant for in life? To witness the nations that struggle against one another? For one to always triumph over the other? To forget that every single one of us teems with life?
Rivkah's question points out that this struggle harms the very earth we walk on. It damages the hearts and minds of all who carry it.
She deserved a better answer, just like we deserve one now.
But when God is silent, it is the time to create one for ourselves.」