“Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat!” (Reflections on Bab. Talmud:Rodkinson - Introduction to the Babylonian Talmud, and Shabbat Tract)
When we were kids, expression ran
“Jump’n Jehoshaphat” – I can
Still hear it in my memory
Though not of late, occurs to me.Jehoshaphat, King of the South
In Ahab’s time, or thereabout
Had started up “Academies”
Of scholarship – surprises me!So that’s when “Mishnas”, gathered up
Took root, culled through the ages such
That they formed basis of this tome
Down to this day in Jewish homes.A treasure-trove of learning, this;
Mind-boggling to me, for it
Has shaped, corrected, and enriched
The thoughts of folks on reading it.“Communal diary” in part,
Where customs, mores got their start
Amidst that Middle Eastern swirl
Informing younger boys and girls.Like building on their neighbors’ ways
Of doing Sabbath – total days –
Not just forenoon then drunken bash
God’s gift to us, rest from our tasks”.The “Sabbath” played a culture-role
By flagging clan – life took a toll
Then cultures like Alex’s Greek
Swept over them – but let them keep –Their culture’s ways – so Sabbath came
To be enforced, so, much the same
As death of Jesus at their hands
That they survive – I understand!Guy rode a horse on Sabbath day
In time of Greeks – the intro says,
Was executed for that act –
“Distinctiveness” informs all that.Thanks Holy Spirit for that.
navigation