by Rabbi Yoseph Kahanov Jax, Florida
The renowned Chassidic psychiatrist, Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twersky, is wont to dress in Chassidic garb – long black coat, full white beard and round black hat. Once, in an airport, he was approached by a Jew who was obviously irritated. Before he knew it, the fellow unleashed a battery of Yiddish words upon him: “Ach Vus’Ara Shandeh! Vus’Ara Bushah…!”
“What’s wrong with you? Must you insist on parading around in that medieval get-up, as if it were Purim? Don’t you realize how ridiculous you look? You bring nothing but scorn and embarrassment upon us Jews! If you could only dress like a Mentch – like a civilized being…”
“I fail to understand what thee art saying,” Dr. Twersky responded in a perfect english accent. “Is there something bothering you? Perhaps you’re mistaking me for somebody else. You do realize that I am Amish, don’t you? This is the traditional mode of dress that we’ve preserved throughout the generations.”
“Oy vey! I beg your pardon,” pleaded the back-pedaling Jew. “I didn’t realize that you were Amish. You look so much like those Chassidic fellows. You should know that I have nothing but respect for you and your people — keeping to your ways without bowing to society’s wills and whims”