Friday, May 20, 2005

Rabbis with egos

Dm sings one of my favorite tunes:

"The pompous rosh yeshiva is the one who insists on being introduced to be mesader kiddushin as 'one of the gedolei hador.' Personally, we'd be embarrased to be introduced like that. We've run across similar characters in the past too, like the out-of-town Rosh Yeshivah we've run into a few times, who stands near the band in the back, even though it's pretty obvious that if he's made the trip into NY for the wedding he'll be receiving some kind of honor under the chuppa. This way, he gets to make the long stroll down the aisle when his name is called. We particularly like the way he adjusts his frock before doing 'The Rosh Roll' TM down the aisle to the chupa."

I've seen these clowns. In the past I've even tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. As the Rabbi pushes his way up to the front of the room, I'll say: "Wow. He's much too modest to sit up front." or "It's a shame no one reserved a seat for him." And after hearing some unpublished hack from Monsey introduced as "'ne of the gedolei hador" I'll say: "My, that particular groom certainly does have an unhealthy respect for his dean."

But no more.

Now, thanks to DM, we have confirmation that at least some of these freaks deliberately plan their entrance, and make vainglorious demands on the person doing the introductions. And we let these prima donnas teach and mold our children? We let then lecture us about ethics?

Sick.