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Dylan’s Hebrew Verse


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Fans are accustomed to seeing Bob Dylan perform on large stages and at major music festivals, but the legendary crooner made an appearance at a smaller venue last week, where he got in touch with his spiritual roots.

While in Atlanta for a September 22 concert with Elvis Costello and Amos Lee, Dylan (ne Robert Zimmerman) attended the Chabad-Lubavitch of Georgia’s Yom Kippur services, where he was called up to the Torah and recited the blessings in Hebrew, the organization reported.

Wed. Sep 26, 2007


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Comments

deb said:

Isn't he born again?

Thu. Sep 27, 2007

Seth said:

Well, he was. Then he was born again again as a Jew.

Thu. Sep 27, 2007

Shlomoko said:

He was born only once, no?? Why should we believe he was born again and again and again? Don't think twice....

Thu. Sep 27, 2007

Ed Horwitz said:

If Bob Dylan was born a Jew, then he is always a Jew, regardless of what he might have said and done, or not said and not done, over the years. He is always welcome. If he chooses to re-embrace his Judaism, then that is his right and his honor and his privilege; no questions asked. Ed Horwitz Rabbinical Student, Rabbinical Seminary International

Thu. Sep 27, 2007

Howard Mednick said:

Maybe "Blowin In The Wind" is really "Blowin In The Shofar"

Thu. Sep 27, 2007

PAE said:

Back in his own back yard. An old Jolson song. My mother used to say, "What you're born, you are".

Fri. Sep 28, 2007

noter karkat america said:

What ? Chabad gives an aliyah on Yom Kippur to someone who is not shomer shabbat ? WHAT KIND OF HASIDIM ARE THEY, EXACTLY

Fri. Sep 28, 2007

Herb Zigler said:

Ed Horwitz is right, but not because of his educational status, but because that is simply the truth about being a Jew (besides "schwer ein Yid zu sein").

Fri. Sep 28, 2007

Neil said:

If Chabad restricted aliyahs only to those who are shomer Shabbat, they'd quickly run out of folks to whom to give aliyahs. Or, at best, be able to call up a limited number of people at each shul. Surely that would eliminate all of us, given it's been yom tov since Wednesday night.

Fri. Sep 28, 2007

jz said:

All you leftwing anti-Isreal haters should listen to "Neighborhood Bully". The man says it all so clear in one short song.

Fri. Sep 28, 2007

Dan said:

For the New Year and the beautiful harvest festival of Sukkot, try turning over a new leaf by considering vegetarianism: The Vegetarian Mitzvah at www.brook.com/jveg and Jewish Vegetarians of North America at www.JewishVeg.com - Shabbat Shalom & Chag Sameach!

Fri. Sep 28, 2007

zzesp said:

d'ja ever hear belzer doing bob dylans bar mitvah " baruch......

Sat. Sep 29, 2007

PRISCILLA SIEGEL said:

I LOVED IT. DYLAN IS A MENSCH.

Sun. Sep 30, 2007

deb said:

No, he never said he became Jewish again. He's only said that he accepts Christ as his personal savior around 1980 and a few years ago, he said he didn't believe in organized religion. I don't think he's ever publicly come back to Judaism.

Sun. Sep 30, 2007

cgruenspan said:

That is what Kol Nidrei is for -- to nullify one's vows. It was formulated for Jews who were forced to convert during the Chrusades, and later the Inquisition, etc., but it also applies to modern day Jews who have temporarily lost their way, like Bobby Zimmerman.

Sun. Sep 30, 2007

ed friedman said:

this guy doesn't know who he is. you can't count on him for the future.

Sun. Sep 30, 2007

Marc Brukhes said:

I wasn't necessarily looking forward to celebrating my birthday on Yom Kippur this year, but this is maybe the best birthday present I could have received: thanks, Bob, and gmar khsime toyve!!

Sun. Sep 30, 2007

Heshy said:

I wouldn't exactly call Shabse Zissel ben Avraham a 'crooner" ...

Mon. Oct 01, 2007

Marc Brukhes said:

By the way: if you begrudge anyone, ANYONE, an aliyah on Yom Kippur, you probably should reconsider what role Judaism and frumkayt is playing in YOUR life.... Hameyvin yovin.

Tue. Oct 02, 2007

Frank Dell said:

A good Jewish boy from Duluth in his early years getting started in the music business, where is Louis Kemp?

Shalom

Wed. Oct 03, 2007

Bambi Goldmark said:

Noter asked of the Chabad 'WHAT KIND OF HASIDIM ARE THEY, EXACTLY"... They are fundamentalist religious fanatics, who follow cult practices and are happy to suck in everybody of maternal Jewish descent.

Wed. Oct 03, 2007

Michael Kaplan said:

Bob Dylan is a wonderful poet and singer;anyone can find many spiritual comments in his music.His right to question God,religion etc is after all a very ancient Jewish tradition.He need not apologize for anything.It is between God and himself and a very private matter.The silly comments about him are no credit to those who wrote them;however,Ed,the rabbinical student will make a fine Rabbi,Jew and human being. Michael Kaplan

Sun. Oct 07, 2007

Shani/Jan said:

Story I heard long time ago was the Dylan was visiting Pat Boone and was swimmin in his pool when Pat dunked Dylan and "baptised" him! If one wants to call that "baptisim". Boone wrote words to song "Exodus" I think, so maybe that redeems him for his wrongful dunking deed. The Lubuvitch in Atlanta do wonderful things all over the Atlanta community to bring Yiddishkeit to all Jews. People who don't live here or visit Chabad here make biased more or less unjust comments. All things happen for the best...including Dylan returning to shule and his heritage...

Sun. Nov 11, 2007