Video: Jtube: Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Baal Teshuva

Published: December 10, 2011

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Visitor Comments: 25

(22) David, April 17, 2012 4:34 PM

walk the talk- observe shabbos

do a "kolfax"!

(21) Anonymous, April 2, 2012 6:22 PM

Too Far

Larry David (the actor, as oposed to the peson), goes too far in his disrespect for Judaisim, making fun of making a blessing on the wine and on a man dropping his yalmuka. Also he shows his selfish self (I know it is an act), by just caring about some amatuer golf game ! He includes alot of deameaning things about Jews, in his Curb Your Enthusiasim series !

(20) Lyone, January 2, 2012 10:01 PM

Don't jump to Judgement

One thing I notice about these comments is that people are not distinguishing between the real lives of the actors, on the one hand, and the characters that they portray in in the video, on the other. I think it is important to recognize that we have no idea what any of these people actually believe in "real life". I really like this scene--especially the line about "Kofaxing us"--because it brings out some of the issues that both religious and non-religious Jews face. .. .. .. .. when wrestling with our own Jewish identity. These questions about the relationship between identity and external practice, between religion and ethnicity, between self and community, and between self and God, etc.

(19) kaps, December 24, 2011 11:28 PM

what's important?

Amusing clip.. sorta. I'm not even Jewish, yet I can read and G-d says to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. I believe it. So l do it. end of discussion.

(18) Anonymous, December 17, 2011 10:08 PM

it is actually very funny.don't take so life so serious!

(17) Frederica Steller, December 17, 2011 9:18 PM

It was little funny; but, a little insulting as well. Not playing golf on Saturday because it's the Sabbath, does not cause a man not to be a man.

(16) Daniel Ben Avraham, December 17, 2011 7:06 PM

Meant to be satire!

While I do not know Mr. David, it is fair to say that in his attempt at humor, nothing is sacred. I guess because he is a Jew, he feels safe poking fun at being Jewish, but I am not ready to say he is a self-hating Jew. Larry Miller, also in that scene, attends my synagogue, and often helps lead services, so at least in his case, I know the acting is just that - acting. Perhaps that is true for him as well. Isn't there some guidance in Ethics of the Fathers that tells us to judge our fellow Jew favorably?

(15) dvorah, December 16, 2011 6:50 AM

pathetic

we have too many self hating, self deprecating Jews in the limelight, this was disappointing, another Woody Allen!

(14) Anonymous, December 15, 2011 10:31 PM

Did this hit a cord with us?

Today's Daily Lift is to love criticism. Would Larry David's criticism of what's his name-Funkhouse apply to loving the criticism to grow and develop, appreciate the opportunities that arise to further growth and development? First glance at the video is that Larry is making fun of Funkhouse trying to be more observant. Second glance Funkhouse was giving an explanation why he wouldn't be at the golf game on Saturday, and Larry didn't like the explanation given, he asked why and Funkhouse answered why with the do's and don'ts. Third glance Funkhouse was expecting his friends to join with him, and his friends are not interested. What should Funkthouse do with the criticism, should he listen to Larry and quit praying over the wine all the time or just not out loud around them, should he quit observing the Sabbath? Should he play golf just that once on the Sabbath since it was a prior commitment to the boys before getting into Judaism more? The Daily Lift said "if what is said to you is BENEFICIAL to you, accept it regardless of how it is said." The key word is beneficial to you. Funkhouse will know now from the criticism don't bring it up around those friends again, they are not interested in hearing of it, they don't intend to join in. Since Larry wrote the script, I think he is saying don't become fanatical over Judaism. Possible his own struggles of a mid-life crisis was what modivated the script; him hashing out the pro's and con's of getting into Judaism more. What we the viewers do with it, depends if we find that beneficial or not. At the bottom of the page it says: Jewlarious is dedicated in blessed memory of Raphael Avraham ben Moshe who made us laugh and made us better Jews. Maybe a fourth glance will make me laugh and make me a better Jew. Coming back to earth, got cookies to make, being to fanatical time spent on here, signing off to earth. Kudos

(13) David, December 14, 2011 5:38 PM

funny

pull a "Koufax" on us...hahahh!

(12) Anonymous, December 14, 2011 3:42 PM

Ugly

Ugly. I am disappointed in Mr. David.

(11) Anonymous, December 14, 2011 2:38 PM

Sad - Not Funny

How sad it is that someone would actually find this video funny. It is also intellectually dishonest.

(10) Anonymous, December 14, 2011 5:04 AM

I thought this clip was so sad...

I didn't find this clip funny or Jewlarious...it actually made me very sad. There are people like that. And they don't understand that following halacha and what a rabbi tells you, against the rest of society, takes so much inner strength....it's not a weakness.

(9) Tova Saul, December 13, 2011 9:28 PM

JUst like 99% of things on TV and in movies about Judaism:

Stupid.

(8) Anonymous, December 13, 2011 9:05 PM

been there done that...good to discuss it.

Now it's 42 years since I became a "baalas teshuva." My sister tells me that I was totally obnoxious at the beginning, holier than thou. I don't remember any of that, but if it's true, it's pretty scary. In contrast, the baal teshuvah in the film was not at all trying to be obnoxious, but his friend, who clearly felt threatened, was really rude. It's a common problem and I'm glad you made the film to try to bring it under discussion.

(7) peter, December 13, 2011 8:34 PM

all men are created with the same formula

love larry david he is totally brilliant in a Jewish kind of way human truthfull and totally real His skits really touch alot of nerves in the American psyche if you like it or not he delivers chopped liver right to your door

(6) elaine, December 13, 2011 7:55 PM

this happens every day

Most of my friends dropped me I became shomer negia (not touching guys). I was treated as a freak with a contagious condition. My local Orthodox shul was of no support as I was going to a Conservative shul and many Orthodox treated me badly even after I switched to an Orthodox shul. Socially, I paid a high price for frumming out.

raizel, December 14, 2011 11:07 AM

friends?

ELaine- they probably wernt really good friends if they could treat you like that for your convictions. People believe taht they are so open minded until someone does something that makes them feel uncomfortable or question themselves and they dont have any room for that in their mins. I hope things have begun to look up for you in your social life and remember that the more difficult the road towards your own growth, the greater the reward.

(5) Anonymous, December 13, 2011 5:14 PM

Larry David

Larry David's reaction to Judiasim here, is selfish and typical of some ignorant people, when it comes to their own relegion.

(4) Frank Lowinger, December 13, 2011 4:46 PM

I thought this was in bad taste and sends a wrong message. While Larry David is a funny guy this little shtick makes a mockery of those who place a higher value on Jewish identity.

(3) Stephen Macht, December 13, 2011 4:21 PM

Larry is Jewish to the bone!

Larry looks as though he is criticizing the Bal-Teshuva who has come to observe Jewish ritual, but as always, Larry is saying, "Don't do as I do, I'm the crazy one who would give everything up for a golf game" In fact, Sandy Koufax was a hero and Larry is satirizing himself and getting his audience to question the values for which they live. That's the heart of Jewish humor: self criticism in favor of reaching the Golden Mean.

(2) Anonymous, December 13, 2011 3:45 PM

That's horrible !!!!

(1) joanne haney, December 13, 2011 5:15 AM

Jews dont fit in when we follow Torah

Ivery real portrail. I converted from Christanity. I havent been tested like that yet. I have been challenged to tell I am a Jew or just go with the flow. And I think I have passed the challenges so far. Toda raba for the video.

Anonymous, December 14, 2011 3:46 AM

It's sad that Jews don't accept each other

Why are we so afaid of each other? Why can't someone practice without the rath of fellow Jews? The world won't respect us, if we don't respect each other!

Anonymous, December 14, 2011 9:47 PM

The worst antisemites have been other Jews

History has only shown that some of the worst antisemites have been other Jews

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