An Archeological Dig through YU

In one of Steven Fine's more memorable assignments, students were asked to explain the historical significance of a fictional, but wonderfully ancient artifact uncovered on YU's grounds.

Well, its happened in real life - kinda.

The YU Caf serves as a store house for crazy whacked-out benchers. (L'dugma: the Chabad birkon with a HaRakhaman TO the Rebbe.) This bencher, Shaarei Zimra, is chock full of fun stuff.

Birkat HaMazon l'Nashim
I've never even heard of this, let alone seen it in a bencher. The heading offers some hilarity:

"Women are obligated from the Torah in Birkat HaMazon, but, out of sin, many eat without making a bracha, either out of ignorance or laziness. Therefore, they should at least bench with this shortened text, if they are not able to say the principle one."

(I don't mean to impugn the concept or its author. Its not the only example of a shortened prayer in Halakha. It just sounds funny. Also, I believe that proper dikduk demands tivrachna in place of yivarkhu. Julian, help me out here?)

The first line of the prayer, roughly translated, is the Talmudic equivalent of "rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub."





(Click on the thumbnail for the complete text.)

A Cutting Edge Piyyut
Shaarei Zimra also includes some wonderful piyyutim, like this poetic little number on the occasion of circumcision.

My Hebrew is not exemplary, but in the stanza beginning "Adon", does the author imply that Mila lessens sexual desire? (The third phrase of "Marom" likewise fits this pattern.)










Very Difficult Hebrew
Or fairly regular Judeo-Arabic. That's my best guess for this zemer.



















Exhibit B: A Tanakh for Jewish Soldiers and Sailors
Pretty cool, eh? Presumably, that's FDR's signature, but the Roosevelt could use a little tidying up.


Highlights:
1. The "God Bless You" of Chap. Upton (Christian chaplain?).
2. The "Best Of" page, i.e. Suggested Readings.
3. The dramatic finish: THE END.
4. Do you know your chaplain?: "A soldier who knows the Word of God and honestly tries to observe His laws is a man of power and influence among his fellows and exalts hi military service to the high level of religious faith, courage and loyalty." Gosh, I should do Machal already.




















Exhibit C: Add to your R. Schachter Gadol Card Collection
I actually found this in my house. Just a cool pic of a younger Rosh Kollel.