Month: July 2023

The Aspen Tree

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“The body does not consist of one member but of many . . . If one member suffers, all suffer together. . . ” I Corinthians 12:14 and 26.

Nature affords us many lessons. And yet so often we ignore them.

I read an article about the aspen tree. The aspen has the distinction of being the most widespread tree in North America. Above ground the aspen will grow as an individual tree. But it is below ground that the miracle takes place. Each tree is interconnected with every other aspen in the forest by a common root system. In other words – all aspen trees are part of a living community. A single body. When one tree is sick, the grove rushes nutrients to the damaged area much like immune cells rush to the site of an infection in humans. The root system allows trees close to water to send nourishment to connected trees that may be suffering drought.

I like to think that this planetary orb that we share is one body and each person is a part thereof. And that all we all share a common “root system.” But do we rush nutrients to those who are damaged or suffering? We do but not always.

There is wisdom in nature. All the more reason to lend a helping hand to those that are struggling. And to accept that our small, individual lives have a connectedness with all of humanity.

The Talmud – Part II

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[A follow up – repeat from February 3, 2019] Unlike Rabbi Steinsaltz’s compendium, the Talmud is more than just a single book. It is volume upon volume. More than 6,200 pages consisting of at least 63 “tractates” (or treatises). It is not authored by one or two people. It has been penned by hundreds of hands and collective minds.  The Talmud is divided into two parts: the Mishnah (circa 200 A.D.) which is a discussion of the oral Torah; and the Gemara (500 A.D. to present) which delves into a wide variety of social and cultural issues.

Originally, Jewish scholarship was passed down from generation to generation in oral narration.  Then – with the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D., there was a move to memorialize this oral tradition.  And so it began.  The Talmud is written in Hebrew script but the language is Aramaic — the language of Jesus.  Arguably the Talmud is no longer open for further edits.  However it continues to be open to discussion, commentary and footnote.  Thus, in a way, the Talmud will never be completed.

What are the topics discussed?  Apart from the social and cultural matters referenced in my previous post, the Torah plays a large role.  For example, when the Commandment says “Remember the Sabbath Day to make it holy,” just what does “Remember” mean?  That admonition (along with so many others in the Old Testament) has prompted extensive discussion and debate about the meaning of certain words, statements and commands.   

I may never become a Talmudic scholar but I am glad I took the time to read Rabbi Steinsaltz’s book.  And further investigate this important chapter of our Judeo-Christian heritage.       

The Talmud

On By scottpetersenIn The TalmudLeave a comment

[A repeat from January 31, 2019] I am a Christian. But since Jesus was Jewish, I thought it would be good to learn more about Christianity’s Judaic heritage. I’ve read the Torah, the Tanakh and the rest of the Bible cover-to-cover (more than once) but I’ve never dug into the Talmud.  Soooo. . . . .

A few months ago, I drove passed a store that offered a large selection of Judaica.  It was the book section that enticed me to stop.  I asked the gentleman at the counter for the best book (I confessed to being an Episcopalian) to learn about the Talmud.  He nodded and handed me The Essential Talmud by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz.  All I can say is – “wow.”  The book was captivating.  And hard to put down. 

While the Tanakh (Old Testament) is the cornerstone of Judaism, the Talmud is the pillar — the most important book in Jewish culture.  The Talmud is an assemblage of commentary, questions and answers – about the Torah, the Tanakh, culture, social order and. . . . . everything.  The Talmud invites questions.  None of which is considered inappropriate.  Questions about the Torah are encouraged.  Discussed.  Debated.  Resolved.  And discussed again.  One is not supposed to just read the Talmud – but to study it.  And to become a scholar of the Talmud.  This is quite unlike Islam which mandates that questions about the Quran are haram (forbidden). 

Rabbi Steinsaltz’s book includes chapters on the Sabbath, Marriage, Divorce, Civil and Criminal Law, Dietary Laws, Ethics, the Law, Prayer, Scholarship, Women, and on.  And on.  It was a truly enlightening read.  If you are interested and would like a copy of the book – let me know.           

The Unicycle

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I think it was a first. Or maybe it was the first time in years.

I was driving Elin – my 8 year old granddaughter – to camp. We’re heading southbound on Sheridan Road when up ahead cruising northbound – I saw a guy pedaling (fasten your seat belts) A UNICYCLE. He was in the bike lane and I blubbered quickly “ELIN LOOK – THERE’S A GUY ON A UNICYCLE!!” We both watched as he pedaled by — hands swinging at his sides. Now mind you the wheel on this baby had to be 36 inches or more in diameter. And there he went – Elin staring out the back window.

So Elin crinkled her eyebrows and asked me a question – “POPI – how does he stop the unicycle?” Well, I hemmed. Hawed a few times. Coughed. And I had to admit that I didn’t know the answer to this question. That’s only the second time in my life when I couldn’t answer a question (the last time was in third grade). I tried to deflect the question by discussing UNIcycles (one wheel), BIcycles (two wheels) and TRIcycles (three wheels) for children. But but then Elin pressed the question and corrected me that some children’s “tricycles” have four wheels. Well okayyyyy. . . . . How about them Cubs. . . .

  • To stop a unicycle, stop pedaling. Unicycles are direct drive vehicles. Since pedals are attached to the axle of their wheels, the wheels stop rotating as soon as the rider stops pedaling. 

We need to bring something

On By scottpetersenIn Dish towels, the best gift1 Comment

So you’re going to a party and you need to bring “something” for the hosts. Often we defer to a bottle of wine. Some folks lean toward a box of chocolates. Then there are times when you come home from a vacation and feel the need to bring “something” for special friends and relatives. Sometimes it’s a pen that has little things floating in water. Or a paperweight that says “Tucson.” Or maybe a t-shirt that says “I’ve been to Weller Creek!” Right. . . .

Think about it. The wine will be consumed. The chocolates eaten. The pen will dry up and tossed. And the t-shirts will. . . .”Scott, I can’t wear that t-shirt.” All will be forgotten. So what to bring – that will provide a lasting impression? I have an answer. The perfect gift!

Donna and I have a kitchen drawer that is chock full of. . . . dish towels. They are from all over the world. And we use them all. Some days, it’s London. Some days Africa. Some days it’s the Berghoff Restaurant in Chicago. And some days it’s just a towel full of flowers. The point is — they all get used, they never get tossed, and they all tell a story. I think one towel is from my parents – 60 years ago. So if you’re off to some fun or exotic place and you need to bring the Petersen family something from far away, skip the cab. Forget the chocolate. Think dish towel. We’ll use it forever. And we’ll always silently thank you when we pull it out of the drawer.

Brothers

On By scottpetersenIn Augustana College, Brothers, GAB FraternityLeave a comment

“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.  It is like the precious ointment upon the head . . . . and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion . . . .”  Psalm 133:1-2

[A repeat of August 5, 2015] In July 2015, I posted on attending the 100th anniversary of the Gamma Alpha Beta fraternity at Augustana College.   Many of the brothers from my era showed up.  We have remained a close-knit group since graduation.  This last weekend, we had a reunion of “GAB’s” in Rockford with about 20+ brothers — all of my vintage.

I wasn’t destined for college (see post of October 13, 2013).  My future was to work as an assistant plumber after high school.  Frankly, it’s a fluke that I even applied (around the time of high school graduation) and got in to “college.”  And that I came to know my Brothers. 

There are amazing memories and stories.  One I smile at is the dark night when my entire pledge class was corralled by police and taken off to the police station for borrowing a neighbor’s ladder at midnight (the neighbor was awake, thought it was theft and called the police).  One quick-witted pledge escaped detention by launching himself over a window well and clambering up onto a fire escape.   Yeah.  That was me. . . . 

The GAB’s won the Homecoming Sing with the ballad I sang to Lauren every night when she was young — “Oh Shenendoah.”   It was that song I picked for the Father-Daughter dance at her wedding (see post of August 14, 2011).  We had tears in our eyes as the music played.  It’s interesting how when you meet old friends, you pick up where you left off.    It’s as if time stands still and I’m 19 years old again.  With my brothers. In my brain, I’m still 19.  Now if only my body would cooperate . . . . .        

Fourth of July!

On By scottpetersenIn Fireworks, Fourth of JulyLeave a comment

[A timely Holiday repeat from July 2, 2017]
On this Independence Day eve, here’s a distillation of a few prior posts on a subject near to my heart.  

Fireworks? Firecrackers? Cherry bombs? Should they be legal? In Wisconsin, fireworks stores seem to outnumber cows.  Weekend festivities are often punctuated by the staccato of firecrackers or the magnificent boom of larger devices.

In 1956, the Hungarian Revolution began.  My 9 year old pals and I learned about “Molotov cocktails.”  So we thought – why not?   We filled pop bottles with gasoline, stuffed a rag in the top and lit it — tossing the bottle into Weller creek.  WOW!!   Spectacular eruptions of flames (not to mention the bumblebee whiz of shards of glass and rocks).   

I was a bomb maker.  We’d break open firecrackers, shake out the fulminate of mercury powder into cigar tubes with homemade fins, balance them on an incline and then light a fuse sending the “rocket” skyward or sometimes just bouncing along the ground.  Sometimes we put “Lady Finger” firecrackers in the nose.  Wow!  These would end with an airborne explosion.  We would grab handfuls of match books at the local pharmacy and snip the heads off.  And stuff match heads into thin pipes, shaking in the fulminate powder for more incendiary displays.  And bombs.  We made cannons stuffed with BB’s held in place by dripping candle wax.  And once a hand grenade – using Slaymaker lock dial.  Every boy had a supply of firecrackers, cherry bombs, M-80’s and such.  And my neighborhood was frequently ripped with massive explosions. All thanks to 9 to 12 year old boys. . . . .  

I am aware of the arguments of some against fireworks. But Wisconsin and 39 other states allow them.