The Lubavitcher and Succoth

Even the caption to me sounded like gibberish until I did my research

and learned more about the Lubavitcher movement, a sect that is

heavily related to the Hasidim in Jewish culture. As to Succoth, well

that's a special Jewish Holiday related to the harvest (and named, it

seems, also for an Egyptian town from near the Jew's departure from

Egypt (Sukkot). The rightmost man holds a traditional willow branch

and a special, and very expensive citrus, as he proselytizes (spreads

the Lubavitcher word, seeking followers, part of the Lubavitcher tradition

and ethos carried forth no matter hwo dismal the chances of converting

anyone.) Your ratings and critiques are invited and most welcome. If

you rate harshly, very critically or just wish to make a remark, please

submit a helpful and constructive comment; please share your

photographic knowledge to help improve my photography.

(Note: Please rate the photograph as photography not based on your

feelings for or against Jews, Israel, Hasidim and/or Lubavitcher Jews, --

this is posted as a 'street photograph' with no special meaning, 'pro'

or 'con' intended. Thanks! Enjoy! (or be edified) John

Thanks to member Meir Samel for encouraging me to post this particular photo.

He is NOT the source of the information posted above; that was gleaned from respected, professional sources, deemed reliable, but necessarily greatly collapsed and truncated since the Lubavitcher movement is quite complicated within a very complex religious setting of great historic length and the Succoth Holiday also has a long history with some very special celebrations and traditions that specifically relate to why these two young men were on the streets of Manhattan one fall day with a special (and expensive) citrus fruit and a branch, said to be a 'willow' but perhaps another species entirely . . . . . they did not specify to me it was a willow, but reference texts suggest it should be a willow.

Anyone with more specific knowledge and cares to set the record straight may free to insert a corrective comment, citing the source of their superior knowledge.

I post photos largely about 'people', and these are 'people'. I do not pass judgment on almost any of my subjects on the 'street' (with some exceptions) and judge mainly whether or not I can take a good photo that will be interesting, with good composition, tones, etc. or otherwise be engaging to viewers.

I do not wish to be involved in the 'love Jews' 'hate Jews' 'love Zionism' 'hate Zionism' colloquy at all, as that is outside the purview of this posting, and too many people on that subject check their brains at the door.

John (Crosley)

Thanks.

I believe you also are correct based on some correspondence I had with a member who is familiar with such things, and was told then such citrus are very, very expensive, at least in the USA.

Perhaps that knowledge once was accurate and now is out of date, but I believe at the time acquired, that the citrus was particularly dear to purchase. I am unaware of its exact significance, but there really is little about Jewish culture I can state with authority -- only things I am told or read from authoritative sources, and sometimes 'authoritative sources' can be wanting or even contradictory, having sometimes been written by those with a 'point of view' -- people selling one idea or another -- so I am a little wary in the religion department, especially with matters such as the Lubavitcher and their proselytizing.

I just post this as a 'street' photo, showing two young men, quite personable with me, happy about their proselytizing and quite happy to explain to me (not at great length) their mission in life, without going to length about their Rebbe or such things as the history of the Lubavitcher, which I have researched a little, (interesting stuff, and it seems also to involve the kabbalah . . . . . a little, but I'm way over my head in such stuff - it has little real interest to me, as does most 'mysticism' if indeed that part is mysticism.

I am interested in the people and capturing some part of the essence that presented itself that moment in an 'artful' way with the 'life' they presented to me, and here, I think very accurately so.

Jews, Arabs, Persians, Indians, Pakistanis, persons from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Egypt, and so on, and of course the Far East. I photograph whomever I meet that will allow it (or that I can get away with and not get killed or stoned) as artfully and as truthfully as I can.

(that alone might get me stoned in certain cultures . . . which I try to steer clear of).

Alan, each time I take and post a photo like this is an opportunity to expand my horizons, and I revel in it. It's better than reading an encylopedia; it's living an encyclopedic life, but without the dryness and with lots of life and verve.

Alan, thanks again.

john

John (Crosley)

I am always very interested in the customs and traditions of other nations.

So this picture is interesting to me .

Well, I must admit that the Lubavitcher are only a portion of Judaism, and they are proselytizers, but these guys were friendly, and somehow I managed to make a decent photo of them, so It seemed only proper to post it.

And if I posted it, to give it some proper background.

I too an interested in ALL the people of the world.

Thanks you for expressing your interest.

john

John (Crosley)

Thank you for the compliment. Much too much text for me to read. I scanned a part of it. The man is holding a lulav not a willow. Lulav is a Palm hence the Christian "Palm Sunday" which on the calender almost conincides with Easter and the "Last Supper was a Passover Seder. However, I'd assume that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on succoth because of the palms(lulav) which on the calender is 6 months off from Easter/Passover; so go figure that one out. Something is fucked up. If Palm Sunday was during Succoth the Lulav dealers made a lot of money on Palm Sunday but if it was around Easter they made almost ziltch because the money is in the Esrog not the luvav and the Esrog is out of season on Easter/Passover. The branches near the bottom are haddasim. I can barely make out the willows on the opposite side. "succoth is not a town in or near Egypt. A succoth is a succoth. Might point out, though it is now too late, that lubavitch do not proselytize gentiles; they proselytize Jews. Jews do not proselytize gentiles period! and if you are a gentile and try to convert to Judism with Lubavitch (or any orthodox group) you'd find it like "pulling nails". Go to Detroit or Pakistan (same difference) and convert to Islam; that's easy and al-Qaeda would love to have you but watch out for Navy Seals (yeah Navy). Either way prepare yourself for circumsision (ouch). To imply that Jews proelytize gentiles is an insult; it is against the grain of the religion. Well too late to fix that.  Alan Barr is not sure if that lemon is an Esrog?? Shame on Alan.