More Purim Knowledge

Professor J. L. Siegel is a scholar from the town of Pulkey, New Jersey.  He has given many talks on the lofty topic of creatures in the air and their relationship to Judaism.  Through a variety of lofty concepts of creatures of the air and the relationship to our faith, Judaism. Through a variety of means-telling talons and generally winging it-Professor Jonathan Siegal will lead our congregation to this little known, but critical, area of Jewish thought.

Part of Siegel’s approach incorporates the analysis of ancient texts. For example, most people are not aware of the fact that the beasts of the air pre-dated the arrival of mankind by one full day.  

Furthermore, higher on the pecking order of life, these important animals maintain a distinct position in the world. In fact, there is reason to suggest that these beasts had a hand (?) in the creation of humanity. The winged ones prefigured man’s formation, the holy writ mysteriously remarks, “Let us make man in our own image.” Who was the us in the ancient narrative? According to the sage, Rabbi M. Shuggina, someone or something had to help. The bird fit the bill.

While some theories have run afoul over the course of time, J. L. Siegel’s proposal seems to be grounded in some reality. Looking to the original version Genesis we find the words, v’et ofe k’naf (1:21), which could either mean “the voice of the cornered clod or “the winged clod.” Siegel proposes that it means the latter, again suggesting that the vital role that the bird played in the creation process.

The power of the winged creatures is further demonstrated by the flood sequence. The saintly I. M. Klutz once noted that the first bird dispatched from Noah’s Ark was the raven. What, says Klutz, is important about that? Not a lot. But if we look closely at the original Hebrew we find an amazing philological occurrence.  Vayaytzay yatso v’shove, ad vyoshet.  “The raven fluttered all over the place (my translation) until became embarrassed.”  What creature could feel this deep emotion, if not a highly intelligent and gifted being? Plucky as ever, though often ridiculed for his approach, Siegal has maintained his theory.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Siegel into our community for a relatively modest fee, chicken feed.  Jonathan Livingston Siegel is a prolific author. Among his more famous works are, The Truth About Lyndon Johnson’s Wife and Daughters, Cry Foul, and the bestseller One Day in the Life of Ivan Sandersovitch.