Misspelling Boston Red Sox Jewish Culture
October 12th, 2007 by Menachem Wecker
The Portland Press Herald has an interesting story titled “Sox lose? Pray it ain’t so” by Beth Quimby about rallying God’s help for the Red Sox.
Here’s a selection:
Although prayer probably won’t result in divine intervention in the form of a miraculous catch, some clergy say prayer can play a useful role for athletes and fans alike. Baseball and other sports evoke many of the same responses as religion, such as faith and loyalty. Religious leaders say they often turn to sports for metaphors to explain religious experience and connect with their congregations.
The whole story of sports teams on kippas and other religious clothing is an interesting one. We cannot know for sure what Moses would have thought of baseball caps (though many religious folks argue against secular culture), but one thing is certain.
Rabbi Carolyn Braun of Temple Beth El in Portland, pictured in the Press Herald photo above wearing a Red Sox kippa, should demand her money back from the Israelis who sold it to her. That Hebrew word is misspelled. It reads “Roston” not “Boston.”
Rabbi Carolyn Braun Says
When my congregants brought this back to me from Ben Yehuda street, I immediately saw that it was misspelled. They offered to bring it back and exchange it, but I thought it was more interesting the way it was. It has proved to give me hours of entertainment, as I ask the kids in Hebrew School to tell me what is wrong with it.
I’m glad you noticed - no one else seems to have!
Oct 23rd, 2007 at 6:14 pm