Thoughts for November 7

Is it possible that November 7 had no small influence in the implosion of the Soviet Union.

The birth of the Soviet Union is marked by the October Revolution, which is celebrated November 7. Why November 7? Because in 1922 the Soviet Union’s adopted the Gregorian Calendar which had a 13 day difference in relation to the old Julian Calendar.

Rational explanation notwithstanding, it just doesn’t seem right. Israeli Independence day falls every year on the 5th day of Iyar. Even if almost no one uses the Hebrew Calendar, and the 5th of Iyar falls on a different civil date every year, there is something solid, reassuring and understandable about having a defined date.

Simply stating that the celebration of the Great October Revolution falls in November begs the question “Why?” or in today’s parlance “WTF?”. And once people question the discrepancy in the dates, perhaps they’ll also question the collectivization of agriculture, or the centralization of economic planning. Maybe even democratic centralism?

There probably is nothing to this little theory of mine, so I’ll still wish to all my friends and comrades out there, a happy November 7.

But next time, let’s get it right.

Women At The Wall

The ultra orthodox Jews are often just as intolerant as fundamentalist Muslims. Women reading the Torah and wearing Talitot at the kotel are about as likely to change this intolerance as is a Christian minister burning the Koran. Have we solved all the other women’s issues – trafficking and slavery, the right to equal education as a child and equal pay as an adult, the right to make decisions concerning their own bodies, freedom from sexual harassment, and the myriad of others? The concept of a “holy place” is fundamentally foreign to Judaism. Supposedly God hears all people’s prayers wherever and however they are offered. In my eyes, this issue is not about an individuals’ right of religious freedom but rather no more than a part of the power struggle between different Jewish factions. This should net be construed as endorsing the bigoted actions of the Israeli ultra orthodox establishment, but poking a thumb in their eye is not the way to build respect and tolerance between people. In the context of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights, this is playing the violin while Rome burns.