The Soul of One Jewish Folk, Recycled... and Again

It is in these magical, mystical moments that the possibilities are endless. My mind drifts, hovering over the vast earth, a bird without wings propelled only by my imagination and music. Drifting and gliding with seemingly no direction can be both exhilarating and frightening. Where will I land?

"Yeh yeh yeh yeh ohhh my bodi, yeh yeh yeh yeh ohh my bodi, aahhhahaha ahahahahaha aahhhhhhhahahhahh, my christnaaaaa, my christnaaaaa."

People swarm all around; darkness abounds. The mass multitudes press up against me, grabbing at me in curiosity, for I am lighter toned than they are. My hair is curly and my eyes light. Pressing through a seemingly endless mass of humanity, I make my way slowly to the River. Here, it is said, I will be purified.

I step forward, literally ready to take the plunge over the edge into the great brown water below. Hundreds are all around me, screaming and wailing in ecstasy. I try to block out any cultural information I have absorbed during my life about this experience. I want to jump as a native jumps, and not as the white man from America that I am. I want to become the River. For isn't that the point, after all? Everything races through my mind at once, imploding with a brilliance that rivals the noonday sun here on the riverbank.

The gentle water flows just below, for it is not a deadly leap, but one of faith. Why am I here? Why did I travel halfway around the world to join these people in their ritual? Do I not have my own rituals to plunge into?

"Oy oy oy oy oy, oyyyyyyyayyyyyyiiii ayyyiiii, Dovid Melech Chai V'Kayam! Dovid Melech Chai V'Kayam! Dovid Melech Chai V'Kayam! Oy oy oy oy oy, Chai V'Kayam, Chai V'Kayam, Dovid Melech..."

And the chant slowly enters into me from afar, for I am still standing on the riverbank about to jump. I am ready. I am going to jump.

"Weeeeeeeyaaaaaahhhhhhh... Weeeeeeeyyaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh... it's cold!!! Put me back! I want to go back!!"

THE END.