My beloved Zadie Z"L passed away in 1977. His name was Mendel Rosensveig. He was born in Pulaway, Poland and later immigrated to Canada. Mendel changed his name to Max Rosen. He was many thing during his lifetime including being a carpenter and an owner of a small corner grocery.
As a teenager I had many conversations and debates with him about religion and politics. Although poor, my Zadie was extremely well read and well versed in Torah and Talmud. Family lore has it that he would spend precious cash on books ahead of necessities for the family. Apparently his father, my great grandfather was a renown Rabbi in the old country. I never met him.
I have chosen to call this blog Observations of a Commoner. The reason is that in 1976, shortly before he passed away my Zadie published a book he titled Essays from a Commoner. He wrote solely in Yiddish and although I have had a copy of his book sitting on my shelf for 41 years I have never been able to read or understand a single word. I hope to change that in the future.
My blog will take on a life of its' own as I write. Guiding me will be the spirit of my Zadie. My grandfather wrote essays which he self published. His grandson will attempt to emulate him. Both of us are commoners. These are my observations.
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