As I wrote when sharing Part One in the previous post: Marcie’s questions, which she had not shared in advance, led me into surprising territory, replete with spontaneity, vulnerability, memory, revelation and joy. I had no idea what would come next from Marcie or from me.
The interview was conducted in two parts (each about half hour long). Part One is more personally focused; this second part features The Tremble of Love: A Novel of the Baal Shem Tov.
I hope you’ll enjoy our conversation. I would love to hear (in the comments section below on this page or via email), what you found of interest or moving in our conversation. And if someone(s) you know might find something of value herein, please share the video with them (or via social media).
Thank you!
Ani
G'Mar Chatima Tova
I close with this customary greeting whose literal meaning is: "a good final sealing." I will add to that: May you know the love of which you are made. What better than to know this?
With gratitude,
Ani
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Ani, every aspiring writer should hear this and use it as a memorable lesson in “how to write”. From the necessity to know even what you don’t need or intend to use, to allowing the story to tell itself and to getting out of the way of the characters so they can “do their thing”, you laid out the essentials so beautifully.
It’s no wonder the “Tremble….” is the incredible book it is.
So wonderful was your education and discovery of the Baal Shem Tov and the joy he emanated and embraced when you had been surrounded in childhood by very dark memories. of your parents’ own suffering and of many others. To have been seen as happy and joyful in such a situation could have been felt and viewed, in a way, as disrespectful to those who had so suffered. But here was this Rabbi from the past, who expressed and elevated joy, even, maybe especially, in dark times, and showed that was not just possible and O.K. but an uplifting and healing expression of Spirit.What a revelation and acceptance of your own child self did that bring to you. And so, as you explained, that was where your devotion to the Baal Shem Tov and later your dedication to The Treble of Love began. And that makes so much sense.The dedication you felt over decades, the joyful aspect of Life revealed and imprinted on so many pages and the gratitude for the opportunity is inspiring. And the amount of research you did! You were and continue to be inspired, which in itself is inspiring. Awesome!