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Rabbi Kasich Teaches Jews about Their Religion
John Kasich: Governor of Ohio. Presidential candidate. Gentile.
Strolling through a Brooklyn neighborhood, he popped in to a Jewish bookstore to press the flesh and teach the assembled haredi Orthodox Jews a thing or two about their religion.
He began his lecture by dismissing the views of Ezra Friedlander, Kasich’s escort and a haredi publicist. When Friedlander noted that Moses is the most important historical figure to Jews, Kasich waved his non-kosher lobster-claw hand and said, “What are you talking about? Get out of here!”
“The story of the people are Abraham and God made a covenant with Abraham — not Moses!” the Croatian/Czech Anglican insisted. Friedlander explained that for Jews, Moses is more important than Abraham because he brought the law. “Moses is up there,” Friedlander said to Kasich’s annoyance.
Kasich then met a group of yeshiva students and asked, “What do you guys do?”
“Study,” they said.
“And what are you studying?” Kasich asked.
“Talmud,” the men responded.
“Okay … but what are you learning right now?” (long pause) “And what is your lesson?”
After some time they said, “The laws of the Sabbath.”
“Yeah.” (longer pause) “You know who I like?” Kasich asked. “Joseph. You guys like Joseph? You study Joseph? What do you think about Joseph?”
After a few nods, the candidate continued. “Did you hear the most important thing Joseph said to his brothers?” (longest pause) “My brothers, you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good,” Kasich said. “Did you know that? What is going on here? Do you know this?”
Kasich added: “He may have been a little bit of a braggart, you know, Joseph, may have been a little, maybe, but they threw him in that ditch (sic) and then his brother saved him, and then they sold him into slavery, and that’s how the Jews got to Egypt. Right? Did you know that?”
Kasich followed up his inspirational visit to the Jewish bookstore with a tour of a shmura matzah bakery. Needless to say, he had some Passover learnin’ to share with the haredim.
“The press probably doesn’t understand this,” Rabbi Kasich said. “It’s a wonderful, wonderful holiday for our friends in the Jewish community, the Passover.”
Then, sharing his deep understanding of orthodox Judaism, he added, “The great link between the blood that was put above the lampposts (sic), the blood of the lamb, because Jesus Christ is known as the Lamb of God.”
Oy vey.
Unsurprisingly, Kasich’s escort plans to vote for Hillary Clinton in next week’s primary election.
Published in Religion & Philosophy
It’s really okay to just not say anything. Truly. “Hello” and “glad to meet you” and “wow, cool bookstore” is more than enough…
Wait a minute… Are we sure this isn’t a imposter? He didn’t even mention being the son of a mailman.
He forgot the Hebrew for government employee with pension.
But did he get a good lunch?? The borscht – the Reuben, the pickles – my mouth is watering – could he be any more out of touch….sigh…
Schmendrick.
Transcript from Kasich’s speech at the Federalist Society dinner:
Kasich: Friends, it’s great to be here. I’m a big fan of the Federalists. Have you read the Federalist Papers? Have you heard of James Madison? Good guy. Wrote the Constitution too. Have you read the Constitution? It has this part called the Bill of Rights. Maybe you’ve heard of it. It says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident–”
Audience member: That’s the Declaration of Independence.
Kasich: What? No, I don’t think so. I’ll have to teach you a thing or two. Anyway, have you heard of John Adams? He was a solid Federalist. You know about him? Hey, Constitution Day is coming up and that reminds me about this fella Karl Marx, who I think has a lot to teach us…
Okay. You win the prize! :) :) :) :) :)
A pro at the top of his game.
There’s the next POTUS, yes indeed. With charm such as that he will have delegates eating out of the palm of his hand. Indeed it is difficult to see why Trump, or even Cruz, have not conceded already.
Some backstory: Cruz visited a Lubavitcher (Chabad) matzah bakery and charmed everyone there. Kasich said, “I can do that too!” and went to a Satmar yeshivah.
But here’s the thing: Cruz visited a neighborhood in which Chabad caters to Russian Jewish immigrants, who are (a) registered Republicans and (b) persuadable. The Satmar are huge players in NY politics because they vote as a bloc — but in NY, anyone influential in politics is a Democrat. The Satmar get their way because they are kingmakers in Democratic primaries, not the general election.
In other words, Kasich was campaigning among people who aren’t even registered Republicans.
We really need to see a Trump/Kasich debate on religion.
Ignorance and arrogance. Not the mix you want at the top of your ticket. Or even second.
The man’s ignorance is stunning, but I have heard other Christian with the same ignorant attitudes regarding Judaism. I had a J.W. tell me once she wanted to study the Bible with me so she could teach me why the Jews are so hated. Her summery: “It’s because the Jews killed Jesus.”
Yes, exactly so! Cruz did his homework. Kasich clearly did not (in so, so many ways).
Last week Kasich went to Mike’s Deli on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx–and was similarly articulate. When David Greco, son of Mike, began to try to engage him in substantive conversation over antipasto and wine, Kasich yammered on about the Yankees needing a first baseman, all the while shoveling food in his mouth a la Caroline Kennedy. He is nasty and egotistical.
Mike’s Deli, on the other hand, is awesome. They ship anywhere.
Wow. I thought Jon’s post was a satirical piece, like one of those “Letters from Al” columns that Rob used to write for National Review. A wicked, long-running satire of Al Gore. Rob will be proud when he reads this.
…And then I watched the video.
I’m all for good manners in principle, but you get a situation like this where it all breaks down. Kasich wants to sound like he knows something about Jews and the Jews stand around pretending this is not ridiculously condescending. It doesn’t have to be mean, but it would have been a whole lot less awkward if people had been politely honest, and by “people”, I mean Kasich.
I regret to inform you, that’s Reuben is extremely unkosher, as it is made with cheese and meat.
I don’t know why everyone thinks this is a big deal. John Kasich is a prominent theologian. I mean, c’mon, God told him to expand Medicaid.
He probably ordered a pastrami on rye, with a side of bacon.
What an amazing story. The video really shows the tactless, peevish, condescending Kasich that people say he is in private.
“Peevish”! That’s the word I’ve been trying to come up with for him. That’s the usual facial expression I dislike so much. He had his moment some years ago, and it’s gone. He’s turned into a cranky old man with annoying old-man mannerisms.
We have already had 7+ years of that.
Does the CoC say anything about the four-letter Yiddish word I’m thinking of?
I thought the Romans killed Jesus, so she should hate Romanians.
I guess there’s an upside to Republicans not campaigning for American Muslim votes?
In defense of Kasich, some Jewish sects believe Abraham called on God for the expansion of Medicaid.
Haha
Zafar – I guess there’s an upside to Republicans not campaigning for American Muslim votes?
But I am so looking forward to the sequel from a mosque. “Yeah, I know you have a great religion of peace. Do you know he was also a peace guy? Gandhi.”