9 replies to this topic

[jbg]

On February 8, 2012 Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, a famous and notable Toronto rabbi died. He was Senior Rabbi at Toronto's Holy Blossom Synagogue from 1961 to 1977 and remained active as a commentator on the Torah since. He in fact wrote what is now the standard Reform commentary on the Torah, that is in use in most Reform synagogues.

This interview is both stirring and stunning (link). This is the link to his obituary. This is an excerpt (link to original) from another tribute:

“We are not a bomb-throwing group,” Plaut intoned in that crisp lightly tinged German-Jewish accent, “but I want everyone to know we are a militant group.” Rabbi Plaut required no megaphone; his voice seemed to carry across the park and bury itself in our souls.

“We will not be silent. Four thousand years of history and millions of dead Jews shout into the silence with us,” he cried, and then with a fierce strength of purpose he began the chant: “One, Two, Three, Four, Open up the iron door; Five, Six, Seven, Eight, let my people emigrate!” And as if with one voice spurred on by this brave rabbi, the thousands joined in.

He was truly a special man.

Now, the question is, will rival groups fight it out in the streets to assume his mantle of leadership? Will the Toronto Jews go on a frenzied rampage and fire guns in the air to avenge his death? bud, your views?

Perhaps Plaut's own words, in the excerpt above, answers that question.

[Tilter]

On February 8, 2012 Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, a famous and notable Toronto rabbi died. He was Senior Rabbi at Toronto's Holy Blossom Synagogue from 1961 to 1977 and remained active as a commentator on the Torah since. He in fact wrote what is now the standard Reform commentary on the Torah, that is in use in most Reform synagogues.

This interview is both stirring and stunning (link). This is the link to his obituary. This is an excerpt (link to original) from another tribute:

“We are not a bomb-throwing group,” Plaut intoned in that crisp lightly tinged German-Jewish accent, “but I want everyone to know we are a militant group.” Rabbi Plaut required no megaphone; his voice seemed to carry across the park and bury itself in our souls.

“We will not be silent. Four thousand years of history and millions of dead Jews shout into the silence with us,” he cried, and then with a fierce strength of purpose he began the chant: “One, Two, Three, Four, Open up the iron door; Five, Six, Seven, Eight, let my people emigrate!” And as if with one voice spurred on by this brave rabbi, the thousands joined in.

He was truly a special man.

Now, the question is, will rival groups fight it out in the streets to assume his mantle of leadership? Will the Toronto Jews go on a frenzied rampage and fire guns in the air to avenge his death? bud, your views?

Perhaps Plaut's own words, in the excerpt above, answers that question.

I think his death has been overshadowed by the death of Whitney Houston, a drug addict who could sing well, the reporting about which death has monopolised the media for the last 24 hours and will continue till some other disaster (????) happens at which time her story will be shuffled off to the same storey graveyard occupied by Jim Morrison, Michael Jaxon and 1000 other entertainers who were so bored with their astronomical success that they Drank/needled/sniffed/or freebased themselves into obliteration.

She was a truly great singer but,like Michael Jackson & Jim Morrison, not much of a human.

Edited by Tilter, 13 February 2012 - 11:47 AM.

[jbg]

I think his death has been overshadowed by the death of Whitney Houston, a drug addict who could sing well, the reporting about which death has monopolised the media for the last 24 hours and will continue till some other disaster (????) happens at which time her story will be shuffled off to the same storey graveyard occupied by Jim Morrison, Michael Jaxon and 1000 other entertainers who were so bored with their astronomical success that they Drank/needled/sniffed/or freebased themselves into obliteration.

Thanks for posting on this thread. I was wondering why no responses.

I was also looking for coverage of the inevitable post-Rabbinic death violence among Toronto's Jewry.

She was a truly great singer but,like Michael Jackson & Jim Morrison, not much of a human.

By contrast, Rabbi Plaut was truly a good and humble man. One should listen to the interview linked in the opening post to get a measure of him as a human.

[guyser]

I was wondering why no responses.

Really? Cant figure it out?

Heres a clue....

Now, the question is, will rival groups fight it out in the streets to assume his mantle of leadership? Will the Toronto Jews go on a frenzied rampage and fire guns in the air to avenge his death?

[Peeves]

Really? Cant figure it out?

Heres a clue....

Met him several times. Very impressive, and a heymisher mentsh to boot.

[jbg]

Really? Cant figure it out?

Heres a clue....

Just because you consider that kind of violence appropriate as a response to Zionism?

[guyser]

Just because you consider that kind of violence appropriate as a response to Zionism?

What?

No, because I find your comments concerning language (Chretien, speak Canadian , et al) and the actions of a few (whoever ) to be really stupid and infantile.

We get it . You think its funny and cute and the rest of us think it dumb.

Besides, if he was such a good guy , why F... up a post on him with that claptrap?

Edited by guyser, 13 February 2012 - 03:19 PM.

[jbg]

Besides, if he was such a good guy , why F... up a post on him with that claptrap?

I'll give you the serious answer you're looking for.

Whenever something such as the Olympic massacre, September 11, the Kenya-Tanzania embassy bombings, the "take your pick" bus, disco or pizzeria bombings are condemned, the condemnation is always qualified by a reference to Muslim "anger" at Israel, Western affluence (yes, Chretien), or Western impingements in the Muslim world. The Jews suffered the Holocaust and a thousand years of serial humiliations and massacres.

Yet, with a few notable exceptions, one doesn't see violent responses by the Jewish community. I am really tired of the double standard.

And as for jokes about "Canadian language" is it not a fact that Canada makes artificial and meaningless distinctions between themselves and Americans. Yes, Canada is an independent country with a proud history. Why do so many trash the U.S.?

[guyser]

I'll give you the serious answer you're looking for.

I will be here waiting.

is it not a fact that Canada makes artificial and meaningless distinctions between themselves and Americans. Yes, Canada is an independent country with a proud history. Why do so many trash the U.S.?

What a dumbass thing to say.

[jbg]

What a dumbass thing to say.

Why?

And I'd like an intelligent answer.