Notre Dame is a place you hear of all your life, giving it an aura of familiarity.
But in my case, I didn't have anything but the vaguest idea about it.
So when it burned, I wondered what it all meant (in addition to wondering what sparked the blaze).
Then I learned it's a repository of items holding profound significance for Yoshke-worshipers.
"Crown of thorns" possibly worn by their founder, eh? That's pretty symbolic. (Firemen saved the thorns and other meaningful relics, but still. These objects no longer have a "home" or a place of honor. Very symbolic.)
Notre Dame is also a church.
Even more symbolically, one journalist insisted that rebuilding Notre Dame is essential to the survival of the Catholic Church. This implies that the destruction of Notre Dame threatens the Catholic Church in some way.
Hmm...
And even more symbolically, this fiery destruction occurred during what they call "Holy Week." I didn't know what this was, but I discovered that it's one of the most important times of the year for Yoshke-worshipers, as it commemorates his death and his (ahem!) "resurrection."
By the way, I also discovered that many cultures around the world celebrate "Holy Week" in a disturbing manner:
Parades of self-flagellation on bare backs until blood is drawn, a gorily graphic (yet painless) re-enactment of Yoshke's torture and execution in Trafalgar Square in London, a LITERAL re-enactment of the torture allegedly suffered by Yoshke in Mexico (the star is chosen for his high moral fiber & strong physical stamina to endure the very real suffering), and so on around the world.
Photos show that parading adults in Spain dress up in the KKK-esque robes and tall pointy hat-masks of the Inquisition.
How loving, gentle, and compassionate it all sounds! [sarc]
Anyway...such an old, traditional, and classic symbol going up in flames during such a profoundly significant week?
It definitely means something.
And it's also important to note that halacha advises burning heretical material.
(Please see the answer to How to Dispose of a "Jews for J." Prayerbook.)
But in my case, I didn't have anything but the vaguest idea about it.
So when it burned, I wondered what it all meant (in addition to wondering what sparked the blaze).
Then I learned it's a repository of items holding profound significance for Yoshke-worshipers.
"Crown of thorns" possibly worn by their founder, eh? That's pretty symbolic. (Firemen saved the thorns and other meaningful relics, but still. These objects no longer have a "home" or a place of honor. Very symbolic.)
Notre Dame is also a church.
Even more symbolically, one journalist insisted that rebuilding Notre Dame is essential to the survival of the Catholic Church. This implies that the destruction of Notre Dame threatens the Catholic Church in some way.
Hmm...
And even more symbolically, this fiery destruction occurred during what they call "Holy Week." I didn't know what this was, but I discovered that it's one of the most important times of the year for Yoshke-worshipers, as it commemorates his death and his (ahem!) "resurrection."
By the way, I also discovered that many cultures around the world celebrate "Holy Week" in a disturbing manner:
Parades of self-flagellation on bare backs until blood is drawn, a gorily graphic (yet painless) re-enactment of Yoshke's torture and execution in Trafalgar Square in London, a LITERAL re-enactment of the torture allegedly suffered by Yoshke in Mexico (the star is chosen for his high moral fiber & strong physical stamina to endure the very real suffering), and so on around the world.
Photos show that parading adults in Spain dress up in the KKK-esque robes and tall pointy hat-masks of the Inquisition.
How loving, gentle, and compassionate it all sounds! [sarc]
Anyway...such an old, traditional, and classic symbol going up in flames during such a profoundly significant week?
It definitely means something.
And it's also important to note that halacha advises burning heretical material.
(Please see the answer to How to Dispose of a "Jews for J." Prayerbook.)
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