Israel Matzav

Too good not to share: Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik's Shabbos Tshuva Drasha (Sabbath of Repentance speech)

With apologies to those of you who won't get this no matter how much I try to explain (and if you're Jewish and you don't get it, you ought to learn more about your heritage - at least try Googling).... Shabbos Tshuva (the Sabbath of Repentance) is the Sabbath between Rosh HaShanna and Yom Kippur, and it is traditionally a day on which pulpit rabbis make major addresses to their congregations (at least in the Orthodox world).

Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik - for those who have forgotten - gave a benediction at the Republican National Convention this summer.

This was shared with me by Debbie R and I suspect it's true.

Rabbi Meir Soloveichik opened his Shabbos Shuva drasha as follows:

I flew to Tampa, Florida a few weeks ago for the Republican National Convention. When I arrived, I was escorted into a large room where all the Convention speakers of the day gathered along with Congressman, Senators, Governors and other politicians.

A woman approached me, stared at me, and then asked "Who are you??" I responded politely, "I am Meir Soloveichik.". "Are you from Florida," she asked. "No," I said, "I am from NY".

She looked puzzled and confused, which I found confusing, since I figured most people knew there were a lot of Jews who lived in NY. Anyway, she smiled and walked away. She then approached me again just a few moments later with her husband. She said to me, "Meir Soloveichik -- I'd like to introduce you to my husband, Congressman Walker." The Congressman and I shook hands. Then the woman asked, "Can you please tell me what city in NY you are the Mayor (Meir) of??"' (After the KJ Congregation roared with laughter, Rabbi Soloveichik continued as follows...) 'And that, Ladies and Gentleman, was the first time in my life that a person was more impressed with my first name than my last name!!!'

Heh.

Labels: Rabbi Meir Soloveitchik

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:08 PM