15: Not to hate fellow Jews
The Book of Knowledge
Laws of Character
Not to hate fellow Jews (Lev 19:17)
an enormous JACK-IN-THE-BOX in the study of a RABBI
the RABBI is studying
the music of the JACK-IN-THE-BOX begins winding up
the RABBI ignores it
the music (“All Around the Mulberry Bush”) builds and builds
the JACK of said box pops out
he has a hooked nose and a yarmulke
he opens his mouth
water squirts out of his mouth and sprays the RABBI down
barely reacting and not looking up the RABBI responds-
RABBI
stop it
the JACK goes back in the box
* * *
a new day
the RABBI studying
the JACK-IN-THE-BOX winds up
this time the song is “Hava Nagila”
he pops out of the box
sprays the RABBI with water again
again barely reacting the RABBI responds-
RABBI
stop it
the JACK goes back in the box
* * *
a new day
the RABBI studying
the JACK-IN-THE-BOX winds up with “Hava Nagila”
the JACK pops out
he opens his mouth
this time red liquid spits out onto the RABBI
the RABBI looks at the red liquid confused
JACK
like a little stinker
Manischewitz
the JACK goes back in the box
* * *
a new day
the RABBI is not studying
she is quietly crying
the music from the JACK-IN-THE-BOX begins again
he pops out of the box
but he doesn’t immediately spray the RABBI
instead he watches her cry
the two of them lock eyes
and for a second it seems that they’re having a moment
until the JACK opens his mouth and sprays her with red wine again
JACK
MANISCHEWITZ
the JACK goes back in the box
***
a new day
the RABBI isn’t there
the music winds up
the JACK-IN-THE-BOX pops out
not looking he immediately squirts his Manischewitz
and then realizes the RABBI isn’t there
he looks around for her
although he is limited in his search since he is a head on a spring in a box
he slumps down in the box
disappointed
he waits for the RABBI to return
he keeps waiting
he keeps waiting
he keeps waiting
END OF PLAY