Just some quick background related to Hebrew language and scripture. Obviously, the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed away just before Rosh Hashonah. Many tributes focused on her jurisprudence but one that caught my eye called her a “Tzadik.” That word jogged my memory……
Tzadik is the name to describe a “righteous person.” Certainly Justice Ginsberg fit that description!
There is a verse in scripture that goes:
THE RIGHTEOUS MAN AS A PALM (TREE) The righteous man shall flourish like the palm (tree)
He shall thrive (grow tall) like a cedar in Lebanon.
Rooted in the house of the Lord
In the courtyards of our G-d
They shall bring forth fruit in our old age
they'll be ever fresh and green,
Proclaiming that the Lord is just, my Rock, in whom there is no wrong.
(source: folkdancefootnotes.org/...)
Turns out that this verse has been set to music by dozens of composers. It is said to be from psalm 92 so I checked that over the intertubes and found this: web.mit.edu/… In that translation the phraseology is lines 12 — 15.
When I lived in Maine I was a member of a band that played European folk dance music. Maine is hardly a multicultural hotbed. There was one Klezmer band in the state ( Casco Bay Tummlers) based in Portland, but my band was the only one that knew any Israeli folk dance tunes for all of northern Maine. And yes, there is a synagogue in Bangor. The Rabbi would refer the Happy Couple to us to negotiate our appearance at a reception. ( we loved weddings and sometimes did one every weekend all summer long.
We did polkas, Greek, Israeli, Balkan, etc — “a fullservice ethnic band.”). In the music business ( and we all kept our day jobs) there is nothing to match playing for a hundred twenty five happy guests who have all been drinking. (We also did Bar Mitzvahs).
Anyway, we always played this song as part of our Jewish repertoire:
Our vocalist sang it in Hebrew. I never thought about the meaning of the lyrics until this past weekend. To study this term now imparts a whole new meaning for the dance to me. And it is now obvious that they swaying motion is meant to invoke a palm tree in the breeze. Who knew!?!?!?!
This whole community is grieving the loss of Justice Ginsberg, rightfully so. But I would point out that she did indeed live a long and fruitful life. The term “Tzadik” does truly fit her — thank you to the person that pointed this out. And so we can employ her accomplishments as a positive example.
And to the Ginsberg family: be advised I am mentally sitting shiva with you now, from a distance, to respect your grief and to honor her memory. And though I do not know you, If I did I would be over there in a heartbeat to do it in person ( and probable bring some kugel).
