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Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The sweet diversity of the incense...
I feel very lucky that treppenwitz has been blessed with a very diverse group of readers. We don't all agree... and that's as it should be. The hallmark of any healthy group is a certain amount of diversity.
When the Temple still stood, the priests were responsible for painstakingly combining an exact measure of a diverse collection of 11 specific substances to create the incense that was burned as part of the daily service. Some of these substances were sweet and/or aromatic while others were foul smelling or even offensive. However, if the priest omitted even one of these substances he was liable for the death penalty!
The idea that a measure of diversity is essential to create a proper whole is a lesson missed by many who want the world to march with them in lockstep.
I'm taking a few days off for Passover. But before I turn off the computer I want to thank all the special people who have made treppenwitz a sweet and fragrant incense of intellectual curiosity and tolerance.
Posted by David Bogner on April 11, 2006 | Permalink
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As odd as it may seem for a blogger/journaler to leave the first comment on his own post... if I have inadvertantly left out any regulars, just leave me a comment and I will try to make things right.
Posted by: treppenwitz | Apr 11, 2006 3:45:39 PM
What if you included some not-quite-regulars? Not that I'm not flattered...
Of course, as the joke goes, there's a reason that the ketores (incense) was made with 11 spices, and not the 10 that would symbolize a minyan...
Posted by: Mike Miller | Apr 11, 2006 4:51:55 PM
Chag Sameach!
Posted by: Ezzie | Apr 11, 2006 4:58:19 PM
That was a lot of work.
Posted by: lisoosh | Apr 11, 2006 5:04:30 PM
Whoa! That's amazing! That must have taken you FOREVER! Chag Sameach! : )
Posted by: Irina | Apr 11, 2006 5:28:52 PM
Oh, and thanks for the link! (Yes, I decided to check out every single one of those... More potential new inclusions into HH...)
Posted by: Irina | Apr 11, 2006 5:32:53 PM
Chag Sameach!
Posted by: Jack | Apr 11, 2006 5:36:58 PM
Wow, it's a virtual encyclopediathingy of Jbloggers!
Posted by: Stephen | Apr 11, 2006 6:37:16 PM
Trep: That was VERY cool - Chag Kasher vSameach!
Jameel @ The Muqata, Inc.
Posted by: Jameel @ The Muqata | Apr 11, 2006 6:41:20 PM
Trepp, I'm so honored to be among the "linked"! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Passover.
Posted by: cruisin-mom | Apr 11, 2006 6:46:00 PM
I am honored to be linked! Chag Sameach!
Posted by: seawitch | Apr 11, 2006 6:57:19 PM
There, I just had a deja vu! ;)
Posted by: Account Deleted | Apr 11, 2006 7:05:24 PM
Wow, that was a HUGE amount of work! I am honored that you included me! How in the WORLD did you have time to do all this with Passover looming? Now THAT was a neat trick. I Zahava standing behind you with her cast iron skillet? LOL No, Zahava, no! We need him tooooooooo!
Chag Sameach!
Posted by: Tracey | Apr 11, 2006 7:08:26 PM
Specific? Cool.
In any case, thanks for not giving me "smelling" or "death"...
Posted by: Dave | Apr 11, 2006 7:51:10 PM
Now we are all kicking ourselves and saying, "why didn't I think of that!" Thanks for the link - and have a great Pesach.
Posted by: westbankmama | Apr 11, 2006 7:59:14 PM
holy cow! you picked me too! thank you!
chag sameach everyone
(full disclosure: I cheated. I rolled my mouse over the links and saw what the url said at the bottom of the screen. please don't take my link away...)
Posted by: StepIma | Apr 11, 2006 8:24:42 PM
I'm thrilled to be among the linked... thanks, David.
Lots of sweetness and love sent over for the entire family for a happy Pesach. We'll miss you all at our Sedar in Manhattan tomorrow night! ;)
Posted by: val | Apr 11, 2006 8:52:35 PM
How very cool! Best wishes for a fabulous, meaningful Pesach for you all.
Posted by: Stacey | Apr 11, 2006 9:12:52 PM
Thanks so much, David. Hag sameach to you, too.
Posted by: Lisa | Apr 11, 2006 9:19:11 PM
Chag Sameach to you, Zahava, and the kiddies. I hope we get to catch up with you soon.
Posted by: Aussie Dave | Apr 11, 2006 9:25:51 PM
Chag kasher v'sameach, David...to you and your wonderful family.
That post must've taken a month and a half to write, what with all them links!
Posted by: Elisson | Apr 11, 2006 9:26:29 PM
toda!
Chag Sameach!
Posted by: timna | Apr 11, 2006 10:06:01 PM
Thank you! Chag sameach to you!
Next year in Jerusalem for all of us!
Posted by: wanderer | Apr 11, 2006 11:03:46 PM
Next year in Jerusalem for all of us!
Sure, as long as I am wearing a helmet. That cast iron skillet was directed at my head. Oy. ;)
Posted by: Jack | Apr 12, 2006 12:28:49 AM
Chag Kasher VeSameach..to all of you from all of us...don't stay away from the computer for too long
Posted by: Shmiel | Apr 12, 2006 1:02:07 AM
I'm honoured to be a hallmark; a happy and kosher Pesach to you, Zahava, Ariella, Gilad and Yonah...
Posted by: Judy | Apr 12, 2006 1:49:43 AM
i made it too! thank you.
im back in california... one time i will be in israel and we will meet up, i promise. im planning to be back at least once this year, depending on my boyfriend.
chag sameach!
Posted by: Lisa- the other one | Apr 12, 2006 1:58:37 AM
Almost exactly a year ago (well last Pesach anyway), I found this blog and spent a happy few days exploring the 'JBlogoshpere'. Since then Treppenwitz has provided many hours of funny/moving/political/poignant/sensitive/powerful writing almost every morning, and I've appreciated every post. So I just wanted to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU!!!!
(And also I'm honoured you included me)
Best wishes for a happy and meaningful Pesach to you and your family.
Posted by: zemirah | Apr 12, 2006 2:01:14 AM
David, I loved that. Thank you. Chag sameach und a zeesen pesach.
Posted by: Smooth | Apr 12, 2006 2:07:09 AM
Awww. Thanks! Pesach sameach!
Posted by: Doctor Bean | Apr 12, 2006 2:48:23 AM
Yay! I'm in.
Have a chag kosher v'sameach
Posted by: Shevy | Apr 12, 2006 2:48:24 AM
Wishing you and your family a wonderful Pesach. I'll be thinking of you lucky Israelis as we user in Shabbat after 2 days of Yom Tov. Not so fun!
Posted by: Essie | Apr 12, 2006 4:31:03 AM
Thanks so much! Your blog is always such a delight. Many blessings for you and your family!!
Posted by: Beth | Apr 12, 2006 4:37:13 AM
Ok seriously,
how much time did that take? Why are you not helping Zehava clean?
Chag Kasher V'Sameach
Posted by: Faye | Apr 12, 2006 4:54:13 AM
One of the rare times I fail to be offensive. ;)
Posted by: Laurence Simon | Apr 12, 2006 5:12:42 AM
Very cool. Hubby and I enjoy your writings very much.
We wish you and your family a Happy Pesach.
Posted by: jaime | Apr 12, 2006 6:19:11 AM
Wow ... Wow ... Wow ...
I have just one question for you: Bistu meshuggeh??? I guess there's no better time to tell you this (actually, seeing as I'm in the middle of beduking it out with my bedikas chametz, I could actually think of 364 better times to tell you this) ... but seeing as you (& Elisson) are my favorite read[s] online ever, I have to say that I'm seriously flattered to have my blog permanently linked with the word "that," in your Super-Duper Pesach Post, because I am now [hopefully] irrevokably linked with the incense which cannot burn without being "that" which links sacrifice to flame in honor of Hashem. I'm so humbly flattered (I honestly didn't know you cared).
Chag gebentched, gezint, freilichen, kasher v'sameach tsu du un deine ganstsa mishapcha ...
Mit a sach friendlichkeit, Erica
Posted by: Erica Shmerica | Apr 12, 2006 8:41:35 AM
Chag Sameach to all the Treppenwitzes, big and small!
Posted by: Jennifer | Apr 12, 2006 10:57:25 AM
Oh Treppy (and I know how you love being called that - I can go w Treppster as well, let me know) - you're the best! Really you are. Who else would come up with such a thing?? The hours it must have take, the hours! Truly a labour of love. Of sorts. Bloggy love. Hag sameach lachem! Portie kisses all around. (it's virtual so it's all right, right?)
[Am working on answering your email, need to digest everything a bit first]
Posted by: Lioness | Apr 12, 2006 12:04:45 PM
Blimey!
Kudos. And, Happy Matzos to you and yours!
Posted by: PP | Apr 12, 2006 12:25:25 PM
Thanks for including me! (I'm "people"! Yay!)
Have a hag kasher ve-sameah, and thank you for all your many wonderful posts. Regards to all the family, skritches for Jordan and respectful greetings to the bees.
Posted by: Rahel | Apr 12, 2006 12:52:12 PM
Very smart idea and very generous. Thanks so much and chag kosher v'sameach!
Posted by: Elder of Ziyon | Apr 12, 2006 1:34:28 PM
woah! i feel so honored to be in this post! thanks for the "the" Mr B! chag kasher v'samei'ach to your whole family!
Posted by: Tonny | Apr 12, 2006 3:22:44 PM
Aww, thank you very much for the link. May you and yours have an excellent holiday!
K.
Posted by: Kate | Apr 12, 2006 6:32:12 PM
You forgot me, but I'll spare you the Jewish guilt :)
Posted by: Shayna | Apr 12, 2006 6:52:34 PM
Thanks Dave!!!! Have a wonderful, joyous, kosher and blessed Pesach!
Posted by: Z | Apr 12, 2006 9:01:54 PM
Thank you, and Hag Sameach to you and your family!
Posted by: Jonathan Edelstein | Apr 12, 2006 9:30:34 PM
Thank you, and Hag Sameach to you and your family!
Posted by: Jonathan Edelstein | Apr 12, 2006 9:30:59 PM
Chag Sameach! Seriously and totally kewl idea for a post!! Still hoping to get together soon for that coffee after the holidays :) Best to your family.
Posted by: Yael | Apr 13, 2006 1:21:02 AM
toda raba for sharing your life and insights.....
chag sameach to you and yours.
Posted by: celestial blue | Apr 13, 2006 4:29:59 AM
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