Tishrei 5784

Members of D'VEYKUS – The Jewish Sticker Club received five stickers to kick off 5784. Here is a short description of the inspiration and meaning behind each: 

Adam Sandler Munchin' Pickles (Rare Rainbow Chrome) – Earlier in 5783 some pictures of Adam Sandler walking the streets of NYC noshing on pickles straight out of a jar went viral on social media. The Jewish comedian is well-known for his heritage, and not only a few months later released a feature film starring his own children entitled "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah." This sticker is the first in a series commemorating great American Jews and includes a gematria riddle along with absurdly colored pickles flying through the air.

Full of Mitzvahs Pomegranate – Our tradition believes the pomegranate to be a symbol of abundance, holding as many seeds inside as there are mitzvahs (613). On Rosh Hashana we ask God to bless us with merit as much as the pomegranate has seeds. Look at this sticker and remember to collect all the merit and good deeds you can this year!

IYKYK Ibn Ezra Said it First – Many phrases in American popular culture have biblical roots. Recently the acronym IYKYK: If You Know You Know, has become a commonplace in social media posting and on the internet. But did you know who said it first?  Abraham Ibn Ezra (commonly known as the Ibn Ezra), a 12th century commentator on the Torah was one of the first to use the phrase. Expounding on the quandary of Moses writing the entirety of the Torah even though he dies before it ends his commentary ends with a tongue and cheek statement saying Hamevin Yavin: IYKYK. 

The King is In the Field – The month of Elul is a time for personal reflection and to WAKE UP to the realities of our world. While we may not always be feeling close to the Ruler of the Universe, Elul is a time when their countenance will greet us without issue. In Hasidic thought, R' Shneur Zalman of Liady conveys the message by way of a parable: 

Before a king enters his city, its inhabitants go out to greet him and receive him in the field. At that time, anyone who so desires is granted permission and can approach him and greet him. He receives them all pleasantly and shows a smiling face to all. 

This sticker is an absurd representation of this message. 

Torah is Lit – A midrash in the name of Rabbi Pinchas in the name of Shimon Ben Lakish recounts that the Torah given to the Jewish people at Sinai was clothed in garments of fire. Many other Rabbinic teachings relate the Torah to fire insofar as it can stoke our passion for good in the world. In today's terminology, it's simply a super "lit" (cool) text and tradition that we get to inherit. This sticker stokes the flame for Torah!