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Monday, March 14, 2011

When to let go.....

I have a lovely friend Hindy who happens to be married to a Hasidic (Orthodox) Rabbi. They just had a baby boy so they were celebrating with a Bris. (Google search it, or watch the Seinfeld episode "The Bris") It is a baby naming ceremony that involves a little snip...so to speak.....I never heard of a Bris until I married a nice Jewish boy and had a baby.....that was a shocking conversation to say the least!..........but I digress..........
So I see Hindy and give her a big hug and kiss, give my congratulations and work my way through the crowd of friends and family......I see her husband the Rabbi and I wrap my arms around him with fervor and gusto!..............and yet his arms dangle loosely by his side........so I began to think.....hmmmm this is awkward....this is definitely a one way hug we got going on here........I peek open one eye to see another friend looking at me as though I have lost my mind completely.....still handling him in my grip I realize that you don't hug Orthodox Rabbis.....that is reserved for his wife only...which makes perfect sense if you think about it.....and I am still thinking about it and for some reason I still haven't let go............So I let go, start wiping his jacket....of what I'm not sure...and apologizing for man-or woman rather-handling property that isn't mine! He assured me that it was fine....but I learned a little lesson.......
When someone does not return your hug, try to figure out why AFTER you let go! Just a little life lesson in case you find a Rabbi in your arms in the near future.
You're Welcome.

6 comments:

  1. I was raised in an orthodox temple and NEVER knew that you shouldn't hug a Rabbi! Glad I converted to Reform Jew:) We hug everything and anything that walks in our path.

    Come over, hon - I'll hug ya back:)

    Love ya Ellen

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  2. Haha!!!
    Thanks for the tip!!

    Leontien

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  3. This is such a cute story! I am so glad he was understanding and nice abbout it.

    Yeah, in some religious traditions and culture affection is limited to only same sex. For example, it would be offensive to hug or kiss a married man of the Islamic faith as they usually do not hug or kiss other women not their spouse. You can always smile and give some kind words and hug the hell out of the woman though. Everyone is a little different, that is what makes us all beautiful!

    Great story.

    take care

    http://furiouslyfabmuslim.blogspot.com/

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  4. LOL! I never knew that either. Good to know!

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  5. tears of laughter rolling down my cheeks! awkward to say the least!

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