I always love those stories where faith in God's existence doesn't imply a faith in God's goodness. I'm sure you've heard this joke a thousand times before, but anyway:
Shlomo ascends to heaven, gasps the cool blue air. He collects himself as he stands before the Throne Of Glory, unimpressed.
God sees the numbers on Shlomo's arm. Shlomo sees God's shame.
"Nah, it's not what you think," Shlomo says, "these are just my lottery numbers."
God sighs. "Shlomo, I'm sorry about what happened to you, and I can understand why you're angry, I really can. But still you shouldn't joke about these things. This is very serious, it's not funny."
"Yeah, I don't know," Shlomo replies, as he looks God in the eye, "I guess you had to be there."
I want to know what happens! Will there be a Part 2? Of course not! That’s god’s point and Keret’s too. The topic of Uncertainty is especially relevant nowadays and in particular today, Election Day USA.
Look around … that’s what happens. Some find ways to deal with the horribleness. Some do not. Some do both. Some don’t do either. We each and all try to go on. Elie Wiesel warned against those who are “certain” over definitive. The only thing that can be realized on is each person’s commitment and ability to feel authentic love for all, remain accountable to each other and to our conscience (including when those unforgivable events occur), find ways to make amends when we have done wrong and know when to ask and, if need be demand, amends be made when done against us (individually and collectively) and when to realize amends won’t change anything if we don’t;t all change to become far more generous in our kindness (but, the gods warn us, not to a fault) … @Alphabetsoup (Etgar), perhaps a parable of sorts on where the fault lines lay (and sometimes lie)/are buried/appear/disappear.
Etgar … I wish for good news everyday. That section of the newspaper has been relegated to the right side of the bottom third of the back page, next to an ad announcing a bankruptcy sale and some other cryptic ad that opens a whole other mystery. Toda, Etgar again, for reaching into our souls and minds and finding what’s there and putting it into words.
As an ex-orthodox woman, I loved this story. Heartbreaking humour. If you can’t have a play with God once in a while what can you do with “him” these days? (I put quotations around him as I only refer to God in the non-binary they/them but obviously that can be confusing).
As you say: "It makes no sense, not in the heart and not in the brain."
The light, the dark, the red state the blue state, the ignorant, the enlightened, the kindness, the cruelty. It never has made sense. We live with the mystery, inventing whatever comforts us.
I wrote the story as an allegory of my life experience right now . Seeing parents around me losing their children . It is about coping with the arbitrainess of life and not a theological claim . I’m sorry If it had offended you in any way .
I always love those stories where faith in God's existence doesn't imply a faith in God's goodness. I'm sure you've heard this joke a thousand times before, but anyway:
Shlomo ascends to heaven, gasps the cool blue air. He collects himself as he stands before the Throne Of Glory, unimpressed.
God sees the numbers on Shlomo's arm. Shlomo sees God's shame.
"Nah, it's not what you think," Shlomo says, "these are just my lottery numbers."
God sighs. "Shlomo, I'm sorry about what happened to you, and I can understand why you're angry, I really can. But still you shouldn't joke about these things. This is very serious, it's not funny."
"Yeah, I don't know," Shlomo replies, as he looks God in the eye, "I guess you had to be there."
I just heard it for the first time two days ago in an interview vent I had in Munich.
I wish I’d written this. Quite an evil writer trick, the way you made it seem like it was going to be a funny story.
Oh, my heart dropped so hard and now it hurts...
I want to know what happens! Will there be a Part 2? Of course not! That’s god’s point and Keret’s too. The topic of Uncertainty is especially relevant nowadays and in particular today, Election Day USA.
Look around … that’s what happens. Some find ways to deal with the horribleness. Some do not. Some do both. Some don’t do either. We each and all try to go on. Elie Wiesel warned against those who are “certain” over definitive. The only thing that can be realized on is each person’s commitment and ability to feel authentic love for all, remain accountable to each other and to our conscience (including when those unforgivable events occur), find ways to make amends when we have done wrong and know when to ask and, if need be demand, amends be made when done against us (individually and collectively) and when to realize amends won’t change anything if we don’t;t all change to become far more generous in our kindness (but, the gods warn us, not to a fault) … @Alphabetsoup (Etgar), perhaps a parable of sorts on where the fault lines lay (and sometimes lie)/are buried/appear/disappear.
Etgar … I wish for good news everyday. That section of the newspaper has been relegated to the right side of the bottom third of the back page, next to an ad announcing a bankruptcy sale and some other cryptic ad that opens a whole other mystery. Toda, Etgar again, for reaching into our souls and minds and finding what’s there and putting it into words.
You did it again! Dealing with the hardest times of all in such a ironic but gentle way. Feel like I should save this one in my pocket…. Tfu, tfu, tfu
I repeat myself but I see your stories in my head as I read them. This one broke my heart. The vision will haunt me for a while. You are the best.
Wow. It such a good story and full of so much emotion. Thanks 🙏🏼
You’re so good! Enjoyed immensely. Thanks 🙏
As an ex-orthodox woman, I loved this story. Heartbreaking humour. If you can’t have a play with God once in a while what can you do with “him” these days? (I put quotations around him as I only refer to God in the non-binary they/them but obviously that can be confusing).
As you say: "It makes no sense, not in the heart and not in the brain."
The light, the dark, the red state the blue state, the ignorant, the enlightened, the kindness, the cruelty. It never has made sense. We live with the mystery, inventing whatever comforts us.
Am I mistaken to believe that this story is a testimony to atheism? With a God like this, why believe?
It isn’t a theological claim , just the subjective experience of what life around me feels right now.
I read the story aloud to my friend at the diner.
Did he/she/they choke?
No. They nodded without a smile.
Love it.. where can I find it in Hebrew? 🤍
Thanks ! It wasn’t published in Hebrew yet .
יפה, עצוב, מפתיע ומרחיב את הדעת
תודה!
Wow. I'm quasi-Chareidi, so some of the sarcasm bothered me, but it's still so powerful and moving.
I wrote the story as an allegory of my life experience right now . Seeing parents around me losing their children . It is about coping with the arbitrainess of life and not a theological claim . I’m sorry If it had offended you in any way .
I am sending love and gratitude to you across the ether for being who you are.
I loved it...
Today??? You had to post this on our Election Day? It made me cry and I was hoping not to do that today.
Sorry Susan,
Didn’t mean to make cry on Election Day .
Your 'sorry' means a lot - especially.