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Quote by Joann Sfar

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The Rabbi's Cat

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Author

Joann Sfar

Joann Sfar, born on August 28, 1971, is a renowned French comic artist. Known for his unique artistic style and rich imagination, his works include 'The Black Cat' and 'The Little Prince'. more

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“You can't be serious. Your temple was destroyed two thousand years ago and you're grieving today?” Yes, as if it had happened only yesterday. “A lot of people have told me the Jews were crazy,” she said. “They were right.” Yes, we're crazy. “It's human nature to forget what hurts you, isn't it? Wasn't forgetfulness a gift of the gods to the ancient world? Without it, life would be intolerable, wouldn't it?” Yes, but the Jews live by other rules. For a Jew, nothing is more important than memory. He is bound to his origins by memory. It is memory that connects him to Abraham, Moses and Rabbi Akiba. If he denies memory he will have denied his own honor. “So you insist on keeping all your wounds open?” Those wounds exist; it is therefore forbidden and unhealthy to pretend that they don't.”

MemoryTraumaWoundsForgetfulnessJewishJewish TraditionJewish IdentityJewish Humor
Book:The Forgotten
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“Mina morbröder skämtade och skojade och parodierade sig själva genom att härma min mormors bakvända språkbruk. Efter några timmars vilda upptåg var släkten helt förvandlad och raglade omkring av ordberusning. I deras tillstånd av praktisk surrealism blommade den judiska humorn och försatte mig i en nästan svindlande extas. Jazzpianisten spelade klarinett och ingenjören hanterade det enradiga dragspelet medan de övriga slog på kastrullock och spelade på kam. Med rytmen sprittande i kroppen tvingade jag fram fiolen ur likkistan och lät stråken glida över fårtarmarna. Och jag frambringade toner som endast en tvättäkta neger kunde uppskatta. Det var rytmkänslan som brusade fram utan musikaliska ambitioner. Min högsta önskan var att bli neger.”

Jewish HumorRhythmic IntoxicationWishing To Be Black
Book:En skuggboxares memoarer
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“بل وصل الحال فى عهد معاوية أن دخل عليه أحدهم وهو فى مجلس الخلافة فحياه قائلا : السلام عليك أيها الأجير.وعندما اعترض عليه نفر من الجالسين أصر على مقولته متسائلا: ألم يستأجرك الله لرعاية هذه الأمه؟.وهو ذاته الذى هب فى وجه معاوية عندما حبس بعض الهبات المالية عن المسلمين وقال له أمام الجميع: كيف تمنع العطاء وأنه ليس من كدك ولا من كد أبيك ولا من كد أمك؟!”

HistoryIslamic History
Book:التدين المنقوص
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“Saints, unknown to early Islam, became numerous in Sufism. One of the earliest was a woman, Rabia al-Adawiyya of Basra (717-801). Sold as a slave in youth, she was freed because her master saw a radiance above her head while she prayed. Refusing marriage, she lived a life of self-denial and charity. Asked if she hated Satan, she answered, "My love for God.1eaves me no room for hating Satan." Tradition ascribes to her a famous Sufi saying: "0 God! Give to Thine enemies whatever Thou hast assigned to me of this world's goods, and to Thy friends whatever Thou hast assigned to me in the life to come; for Thou Thyself art sufficient for me.”

SufismSufisSufi WisdomIslamic QuotesIslamic History
Book:The Age of Faith
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