Untitled - Memorial University of Newfoundland
Untitled - Memorial University of Newfoundland
Untitled - Memorial University of Newfoundland
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within my own Jewish upbringing, I was taught the custom was symbolic <strong>of</strong>reburial: that<br />
every time one visits a grave <strong>of</strong>a loved one, one must ritualistically re-bwy them. Rabbi<br />
Ari Shishler gives a further explanation:<br />
Jewish mysticism teaches <strong>of</strong>four levels <strong>of</strong> life forms: human. animal,<br />
vegetation and inanimate. A stone appears inanimate yet also has a GdtylJ<br />
life.giving force in it that keeps it in existence (a soul <strong>of</strong>sons). We<br />
place a stone on. the grave as an indication that even that which appears<br />
dead., is in fact alive. The symbolism is most appropriate (Ari Shishler.<br />
personal communication., 26 February, 1998).<br />
Regardless <strong>of</strong>the reason for the custom, it is widely recognized as a Jewish practice. at<br />
least among Jews.<br />
Within the seder sequence. in A Letter to Mother. as I noted in the previous<br />
chapter. the chair at the head <strong>of</strong>the table, preswnably Duvid's. remains empty. Duvid<br />
functions as a "stnJcnucd absence" in the sequence: his patriarchal influence felt by its<br />
absence in the failure <strong>of</strong> the seder to run effectively. At one narrativejuneture. when the<br />
youngest son. Artie, is 10 ask. the '"Four Questions", Arele breaks down in tears because<br />
his father is not there 10 answer the queSiions. As 1noted ahove. ifthe father is not able<br />
to answer the questions. then the Passover Seder cannot be completed.<br />
In order to amve at a complete understanding <strong>of</strong>the Exodus through the<br />
Seder, we must first ask. the questions <strong>of</strong>lhe 'Ma Nishtana.' and then<br />
proceed to the explanation <strong>of</strong> the 'A vadim Hayinu'. These are the rungs <strong>of</strong><br />
the ladder which must be climbed in sequence. Understanding is achieved<br />
through paception which leads to conceptualization. The 'Ma Nishtana'<br />
corresponds to the raw perception <strong>of</strong>events, while 'Avadim Hoyimi is the<br />
(J In more lrnditional Jewish circles. it is considered blasphemous to even write the<br />
English name <strong>of</strong>God.lnstead. within the Jewish tradition, the "0" is replaced with a dash<br />
- '"G-d." Out <strong>of</strong>respect to Rabbi Shishler. I have not altered his usage.<br />
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