Tygerpen: Hum (or eat) a few bars
22.05.12
Recently I discussed the significance of chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, in Jewish text and practice. Even as I write this, the Jewish Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College, Yeshiva University, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association and the Organiz-ation of Miscellaneous At-Large Rabbis of Various Eclectic Jewish Groups all are expected to formally recognize chocolate as an instrumental component of Jewish tradition, for without chocolate there would be no celebrated Jewish instrumentalists.*
For generations, Jewish children became musical prodigies strictly because they were rewarded with pieces of chocolate for practicing their instruments. This is known in Hebrew as shih’er or schochad (somewhat inaccurately translated into English as “to grease someone’s palm with chocolate” or “bribe”).
My father became a professional musician because my grandmother persuaded him to practice piano rather than shoot pool by giving him chocolate candy. Years later, Dad played for Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Benny Goodman, Sammy Davis Jr., President Franklin Roosevelt and the “Today” show.
Source: Jweekly.com