what I learned today
November 22, 2004 | Filed Under Blog |R’ Judah said: a person should never ask for his needs in Aramaic, and R’ Yochanan said: anyone who asks for his needs in Aramaic is not heeded by the heavenly angels, for the heavenly angels do not understand Aramaic.
Shabbat 12b
Better yet, this is the halakha handed down even today; it’s found in the Shulchan Aruch OC 101:4 (”One who is praying alone may do so in any language except for Aramaic”) and the Mishnah Brurah’s comment on it, number 15 (”Because the angels do not understand Aramaic.”)
And people wonder why I enjoy being a halakhic Jew?
I’m a bit dopey at present from reading movie reviews for my magazine, but … I don’t get your last line.
Comment by B — November 23, 2004 #
I meant to say that halakha which covers the linguistic abilities of angels is some pretty dope-ass halakha.
Comment by Danya — November 23, 2004 #
Yes, but does it cover how many of them can dance on the head of a pin?
Comment by Anonymous — November 24, 2004 #
see? see? i *knew* this whole anti-aramaic thing was coming from somewhere.
g
Comment by Anonymous — November 30, 2004 #