Ask me anything... from DustyFeet the unbound amateur mystic

Hello,

i am new to this forum. i am a reformed syncretic jewish mystic.

ask me anything; i reserve the right to answer: i don't know.

with much love and great respect,

-DF-

 

Three different boxes, three different brands - including a box from Chabad - of Hanukkah candles. Each of the boxes held out the promise that the candles within them were dripless. I used candles from each of the boxes. And you know what???

They all dripped! Big time. I'm still cleaning the melted wax from the hanukkiah.

Why?

 

Ya gotta read non partisan reviews rab!

 

Who knew?

There are reviews of חנוכה נרות, Hanukkah candles, online. Of course, they're just as useful, or not, as other online reviews. Pick a candle, any candle, and the reviews are all over the map. One review says a particular candle fits perfectly into the Hanukkiah (the Hanukkah menorah), another bemoans that they didn't fit. Another review praises how wonderful it was that a particular candle doesn't drip, while yet another is miffed because of the mess caused by the dripping wax from the same brand.

Still, I appreciate the suggestion. I wonder if there are reviews for elderly rabbis who frequent forums?

 

Did u leave the window open?

 

Where I live opening a window in December is not a very good idea..... Even when candles are not an issue.

 

Me too. But i didn't want to assume. I have friends who luv to travel over the winter holidays. And rabbis are everywhere. So a Hawaiian or Costa Rican chanukah? Where the windows might be left open? Wishful thinking...

Hmmm....

The mystery of the drippless chanukah norot ( chanukah lights )

very curious indeed...

I accept the case!

To be honest, i never thought about it before. We haven't purchased chanukah candles in many years. Our kids bring home handfuls of chanukah candles from Sunday school each year. So i hadn't noticed whether or not our candles were supposed to be drippless or not.. We always assume that the candles will drip..

Lets see...

I still say the most likley perpetrator is a slight breeze. Perhaps there is a vent below the window sill?

I'm going off what u said. I feel like there are clues there...

1. Maybe safety is a concern for u, maybe its cold where u are in december
2. You have tried multiple boxes / multiple brands
3. Drips / no drips... no obvious pattern
4. Quality of the candles / price: no obvious pattern
- you tried candles from ChaBaD?
- i expect they are the best candles
5. You are aware of online reviews
- online posts could be exaggerated for a whole host of reasons
6. U identify yourself as an elderly rabbi who frequents forums

Hmmmm... [ tugging at chin ]

I'm still thinking that the heat kicking on is the problem.

I don't know for sure. But i **feel** it's likely that. I'm guessing for u, the chanukah menorah goes on the window sill. And most american homes have heating vents under the windows to balance the heat loss. I'm guessing you are in america, but honestly, i don't know...

It could be, like me, you have a collection of channukah menorahs. And whether or not the candles drip depends on which menorah u use. But no... I dont think so. Most elderly rabbis i know don't have a collection of channukah menorahs.

Another possibility, this is actually a good one. Drips or no drips, does it depend on **who** sets up the chanukah menorah each night?

At our house, the color choices, and the pattern of how these multicolored candles are loaded up each night is part of the fun. And my son hasn't quite figured out how to get the candles setup so they are pefectly straight. However, my daughter the teenager gets those candles all pefectly straight like little soldiers reporting for duty.

We let my son set up the candles most nights this year. And we let him do it on his own. I restrain from fixing his work. And do u know what? It was a very messy channukah this year.

But clean up isn't a problem. Hot tap water, a few minutes, paper towels, and a steak knife... No problemo. ( note: i do the cleaning, not the kids... safety.... )

So, i suspect the culprit of this caper is either a breeze from the vent when the heat kicks on, or is tippy candles which depends on who sets up the candles each night.

Both of these are good fits, because either one would render inconsistent results, and that explains why u haven't noticed a pattern.

My perscription?

Next year, choose a window without a vent nearby. And make sure the candles are perfectly straight in the channukah menorah.

Also, if u have the choice, i would try candles that are larger rather than smaller. Even if u need to melt the bottoms a bit to get them to fit. A higher wax to wick ratio will help encourage the wax to be used efficiently by the wick.

Also, if u have a choice, chose a channukah menorah whose candles are further apart. If the candles are too close, the wax might melt too soon from the heat rendering more likely drippy candles.

Does that help?

 

Need.to.get the nonmystic candles...

Ones where the wax will find the stick and evaporate in the flame and not miss the stick and end up soiling the doily

 

By syncretic, what do you mean?


(btw, it's part of me too)

 

... asserting an underlying unity ...

from wikipedia:

"Syncretism (/ˈsɪŋkrətɪzəm/) is the combining of different beliefs, while blending practices of various schools of thought. Syncretism involves the merging or assimilation of several originally discrete traditions, especially in the theology and mythology of religion, thus asserting an underlying unity and allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths. Syncretism also occurs commonly in expressions of arts and culture (known as eclecticism) as well as politics (syncretic politics)."

 

In my mind: Syncretic is combinding aspects of different religions/traditions/philosophies together. (I take on certain Dharmic practices)
Universalism is more in the direction of a unification of separate parts (which I also hold to), while not necessarily believing all of it on the same objective level but acknowledging their validity. The Perennial school in particular (which is aimed towards a specific central point) is what I adhere to. Universalism itself being vague also can be interpreted towards relativism (which I disagree with)

But yep brother, I agree there

 

Interesting, I'd always read 'syncretic' in the negative sense, as opposed to synthesis.

Probably because I spend a lot of my time defending traditional doctrines from being cherry-picked/lumped together with other traditional doctrines in an attempt to come up with some ersatz and pseudo-universal über-doctrine by people who don't really understand either doctrine in any great depth, and end up with nothing much of anything.

An example of which is the assumption that triunes in different traditions, the triune gods of the various fertility-rites or the Hindu Trimurti are the equivalent of the Trinity in Christianity – based on the fact that there are three in each case, ergo, they must be the same. So, so wrong.

 

i first learned the term recently in a book on falun dafa called "Power of the Wheel". i wiki'd it. and said... hey. that's me. It's not that i want to create a new single religion replacing all the others. i love diversity. diversity is beauty for me. diversity is music for me; its a grand amazing dance. diversity is like a symphony for me. It's like wildflowers blooming on a mountain meadow. i guess i would describe myself as a religious gourmand. That's what 'syncretic' meant to me when i read about it. I appreciate something in almost all faith practices and belief systems. The only thing i don't agree with is intentionally harming someone or something. Like the political groups ELF or the JDL. Even the belief systems in american intelligence services, american military and israeli military practices **feel** like Machiavelli to me. Don't get me wrong, I believe in saving the planet and i hate antisemitism. but... not that way... not that way. I mean i lose my temper, and i'm trying to learn impulse control. but intentionally harming anyone or anything. that's not something i can get on board with. No machiavellianism... there may be others i cannot appreciate, but. so far, i find synergy and an underlying unity in all other belief systems... except machiavellianism.

 

@RabbiO, venerable sir,

may i continue on the candle caper?

may i share my definition of a "mystic" first?

a mystic is a detective, nothing more, nothing less. we mystics love mysteries. we live our life "in the question" "in constant wonder" like living breathing a who-done-it. From reading your posts and seeing all those question marks... i wonder if you too are a mystic? maybe you never considered it?

one thing about me, this particular mystic, these Dusty Feet never quit. i don't have to. i have so much energy, and i love the work of solving a mystery.

so i have been thinking about your mystery. may i continue to share my observations?

I have decided that the heating vent is not the problem. Please strike that from the record, your honor.

You described yourself as an elderly rabbi on the forums. forums plural. I see your posts on this website and another and i noticed a pattern. ( pattern recognition is useful for detective work ). And i have noticed a pattern about when you normally post. It seems to be american EST.

You said you are elderly and safety is a concern. So i am thinking 65% odds, you are living in a somewhat closed community of like minded folks. SO that means again 65% odds New York City. New York City Jewish Community... not a modern american house... you're probably an apartment dweller.

I mentioned the open window, and you didn't say, "it doesn't open", you said "i don't open it". A modern apartment building doesn't have windows that open beyond the first floor usually. Old apartment buildings do. New apartment buildings use interior stairwells as the escape routes, and open windows are a risk for suicides and children falling from them. Old apartment buildings? The windows open for the escape route which is the stairs attached to the outside like we see in the movies.

Hmmm. more and more evidence pointing to an apartment dweller.

Let's see... I am guessing not a lower level apartment... sub level and first floor apartments have windows that open. These are favored by criminals, because of the multiple possible escape routes and good visibility and faster response in case of a commotion happening on the street. Sub level and first floor apartments are targets for thieves, and most safety conscious folks don't choose sub-level or first floor apartments.

I don't think you're a criminal. Why? you put you're name in hebrew under your screen name. It's not a common combo, johan ben zacharia. there is a famous yonahan ben zakkai... but not johan ben zacharia... i am guessing again 65% odds, that's your real name. I also think you're honest. Just an impression from the posts i've read. You are obviously an orthodox rabbi ( i mean orthodox generally, you could be member of any number of observant orthodox communities, but for this discussion, orthodox is easiest for my detective work ) orthodox rabbi? rabbiO... another good indicator you are an honest person.

So all of this points towards validation of the clues you provided, inadvertently, i am conlus=ding the clues are real, and the question is real. and all of this is leading me to this new conclusion... i can rule out the heating vent as a possible cause of your candle questions.

Old apartments... new york city... lower east side? crown heights? safety issues? no vents. aren't those radiant heat? ( all questions.. i'm trying to speak "your language", rabbiO )

so.. that leaves 2 possible causes: one is logical, a real solution to your problem. one is humorous.

reading your posts renders the following... 85% odds, if i am listening to you.. and rabbi... i promise... i am listening to you...

if i listen to the **spirit** of your question ( that's the mystical-detective speaking ). and i evaluate your other posts. do my homework. and apply myself ... i think you were making a funny...

the logical answer is: why? why do the candles sometimes drip... DustyFeet says, "it probably depends on who sets up the chanukah menorah"

the humorous answer is: why? why do the candles sometimes drip? why do the online posts crisscross back and forth all over the "spectrum"? rabbi, the answer "you're" looking for? you can't believe everything you read. Not online... not on the packaging. rabbi, don't judge a book by it's cover. i can give you a talmud reference if you wish?

your welcome!

case closed.

with much love and great respect,

friend DustyFeet

 

@DustyFeet Yep, it's about the mystery, the awe, the gnosis and investigation for me too.

 

Yes, I find something I like and something I dislike in every religion. Things that i think, that is an awesome idea/concept/practice and I can incorporate that right now...and things that, absolutely not.

 

Please note: Correction: in post#14... please replace "JLF" with "JDL"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Defense_League

just cause someone "says" they're a "Rabbi" and/or "says" they're "Jewish" doesn't mean they are "friendly".

 

theory: bullies are similar to criminal predators
theory: bullies and criminals are predictable
theory: criminal predators are similar to dangerous terrorists
theory: criminal predators and dangerous terrorists are always recruiting
theory: recruiting happens on the internet in forums ( plural )

for an understanding of the predictable pattern... google this.. i think u will find the results .... illuminating, but also not family or work-place friendly

google: "tactics used by pimps to lure underage prostitutes"

notice the behaviors the that the predators seek out...

 

@DustyFeet -

Let's see -
1) I do not live in New York City. Although born and raised there, I have not lived there in more than 40 years.
2) I do not live in an apartment. Except for a brief period after moving from Pittsburgh and waiting for our house there to sell, I have likewise not lived in an apartment for more than 40 years.
3) I am not an Orthodox rabbi. I am a Reform rabbi.
4) My concern about opening windows was not a safety concern. It's just that when December comes it is very cold where I live.
5) Re-read my Hebrew name. You got it wrong. The Hebrew name I list is my actual Hebrew name.
6) I think your definition of a mystic is rather broad. Based on your definition, I think even a couple of the dogs I owned would have fit that definition.
7) You are correct that my query was tongue in cheek, but you did say to ask you anything.
8) As for being elderly, I say that, in part, because I did not enter the rabbinate until an age when most rabbis are retiring or, at least, thinking about it. Perhaps I should have kept in mind that 71 is the new 70!