COMPATIBILITY OF LAW AND JUSTICE-BOOK TWO, CHAPTER FIFTEEN THE HARE KRISHNA CHANTERS FORMED A SMALL CIRCLE ABOUT Stein and Jeffrey near the airline ticket counter. Hendrix was off checking the baggage while Mrs. Santelli had decided at the last minute to buy some magazines for Jeffrey to read on the plane. So Jeffrey and Stein were unescorted when the orange clad young men and women began their chanting dance about them, small cymbals clinking on their hands, bells ringing on their feet. Jeffrey smiled as he watched them, wide-eyed. Steins face was impassive. Jeffrey moved a little closer to Stein as the dancers closed their circle. One of them, a young man whose shaved head glistened in the overhead neon lighting of the airport, gave a beneficent smile to Stein and slowly waved a small basket before Steins stomach. Steins eyelids drooped. I am an adherent, young man. No state of grace whatsoever. Be gone. With that he gently but firmly extricated himself and Jeffrey from the bouncing circle of young people and moved slightly ahead in line. He then glared at the young man who, smiling but not speaking, nodded and rejoined the others who formed a single line and rapidly chanted off. Jeffrey looked up and to his surprise saw that Stein was chuckling, his large stomach jiggling despite his efforts to control himself. Uncle. he said. You chased them off. Quite, my boy. But if they cannot encourage adherence, it is best they engage in additional indoctrination. Well, I liked them. I liked their dancing. It was neat. Were they praying? It is merely a post-industrial imitation of Hassidim who, unlike these innocents, possess a consistent and rational justification for their doctrine. And do not beg in airports, I might add. Hassidim? Are they like Hare Krishnas? Stein looked at the boy in surprise. Your parents have not educated you in the various sects of your religion? Jeffrey looked down. We dont talk about those things a lot. I go to Sunday school. Were Reform. And does not your school have comparative religious studies? Jeffrey looked increasingly uncomfortable. Well, maybe. I mean, our classes are sort of...relaxed. Its Sunday, and its not like regular school. Anyway, what are Hassodics? Hassidim. Jews who pray by dancing and singing their praise of God. They dance in a circle, presumably with joy, singing their prayer. If you examine historical precedents, you will note that David, upon entering the Holy City, did so singing and dancing, as did Esau when again meeting Jacob... They exist now? Singing and dancing like Hare Krishna? No, very different. They pray in temples, dancing in a circle usually, not really chanting, bouncing up and down like... Like we did when I learned that Daddy was OK. Stein looked down at the boy. Yes. Yes, I suppose so. Only praying while they do that. They were almost in the front of the line now. Jeffrey was studying the back of the next person in line thoughtfully. Why dont other Jews pray that way? Stein shrugged. Different sects pray in different ways, Jeffrey. How do you pray? Stein paused before answering. I do not. Jeffrey looked up at him. Neither do I. You do not believe in God, Jeffrey? Sure I do. I just dont think he wants to listen to all of us asking for things all the time. And complaining. I mean, he made the world. I think thats enough. Is it? Sure. How much can we expect of him? Stein smiled then. How much, indeed? They came to the front of the line. Jeffrey was not done discussing theology. When Im in Temple and I listen to all the prayers, it seems like all were doing is asking for stuff and then telling God how wonderful he is. I mean, have you ever really listened to the prayers? All we say is ‘You’re so wise, and Youre so merciful, and then we say give us peace or bread or happiness. Its like were begging and flattering God. I dont like it. Neither do I. And if God is so wonderful, why does he have to hear us tell him that all the time? Doesnt he get bored hearing about how wonderful he is? Stein reached into his breast pocket for the tickets as they came to the front of the line. Well, Jeffrey, what should be the content of the prayers? Jeffrey shrugged. I dont know. It just doesnt seem right to beg like that. He watched as Stein selected seats on the plane, tapping his leg against the counter. As Stein turned away from the counter Jeffrey said, I dont think you should talk at all. In prayers, I mean. You should think. Or maybe just sing, like the Hassidoc. Hassidim. Yeah. Or like the people in the orange robes. Hare Krishna. Yeah, I know. Like them. No intellectual content at all, Jeffrey? Just singing and chanting? You feel the intellect has no place in prayer? Jeffrey looked thoughtful and did not answer. Mrs. Santelli approached them, a small stack of magazines clutched in her hands. I got some for both of you. She divided the stack, handing three to Jeffrey and one to Stein. Jeffrey leafed through the brightly colored pages. Thanks, Mrs. Santelli. You do like performance bikes, dont you? Sure. And all boys like baseball. I know that. Sure. Thanks. She studied him a moment, blinking rapidly. She unconsciously brushed his hair back while speaking to Stein. Youre a lot more difficult, Doctor. You do like science? Stein examined the magazine in his hand. Yes. This appears quite interesting. Thank you. Theres an article in there on heart attacks and diet. And another on the new space station. I look forward to reading it. She stopped brushing Jeffreys hair but kept her hand on his head, looking at him. Now, dont you be tiring your Dad out. Hes going to be pretty weak after all this. Yes, Mrs. Santelli. And I know you wont write so I wont even ask. Ill write. No, you wont. But you just remember that if you come out to visit your uncle again, I want to see you. Ill...miss you. Jeffrey didnt answer, just looked at her. Then he hugged her hard. She hugged back, smiling at Stein, eyes wet. Hes my big, brave young man, Doctor. He was wonderful. He prayed for his daddy every night. She hugged him very hard then pushed him away. Hendrix had arrived and formally shook hands with Jeffrey. Pleasure to have known you, Master Stein. Thank you, Mr. Hendrix. Hendrix turned to Stein. No more than four weeks, sir. After that Ill be having trouble with the patients. Four weeks, Hendrix. I will phone you weekly. You may depend upon it. Hendrix was examining Steins face closely. I will, sir, I will. Four weeks. Then home. Lets go, Mrs. Santelli said rapidly, putting her arm through Hendrixs and pulling him away. She didnt look back. The old man and boy watched them hurry away. Jeffrey was the first to speak, voice quite calm. Shes hurrying away so we wont see her cry. I know. Shes a nice lady. She grew quite fond of you. Yes. They slowly walked to the departure gate. Uncle, are there Hassidim in France? Yes, I believe so. Can we go look at them? Yes. Yes, we can. Will you...will you stay with us in Tours? At the hospital? For a time, Jeffrey. At least ten days. Jeffrey walked in silence as they approached the metal detector. I was thinking you might like to see my house. My room, I mean. In Connecticut. Maybe you could stop off on your way home. Stein looked at Jeffrey as they waited in line before the metal detector. I am not sure the timing will be right. It depends when your father is allowed to travel. Well, if the timing is right, will you? Stein put his hand on the boys shoulder. It would be enjoyable for me, Jeffrey. Let us see if the timing allows it. They walked through the metal detector with no alarms sounding.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 14:06:46 +0000
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