Discussion: Stephen Miller's Childhood Rabbi Rebukes Trump Aide In Rosh Hashanah Sermon

robaruba · September 11, 2018, 3:48pm

I thought my rabbi gave a pretty good sermon yesterday, but I would have loved to hear this one.

slagathor · September 11, 2018, 3:49pm

In the immortal words of Juan Epstein, the Puerto Rican Jew of ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ fame; Santa Gevault!

navamske · September 11, 2018, 3:50pm

Trump adviser Stephen Miller’s childhood rabbi eviscerated him and his role in President Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, like the administration’s family separation policy, during a Rosh Hashanah sermon Monday, the Guardian reported.

Dang, it’s past Rosh Hashanah and I’m still writing “5778” on my checks.

matthew_tanner · September 11, 2018, 3:55pm

In the South, we just say, you are going to hay-ell.

redhand · September 11, 2018, 3:59pm

I really do find this inspiring.

steviedee111 · September 11, 2018, 4:00pm

Miller will have this derasha framed and hung on his office wall, a badge of honor.

matthew1961 · September 11, 2018, 4:01pm

Exactly. As my dear professor used to say, “It is the fundamental error of rationality to suppose that it can dictate to the irrational.” Anyhow, what actual Jew needs to be told that white supremacists are not your friend?

woland66 · September 11, 2018, 4:02pm

I think паскудник is Russian not yiddish. But yes, it fits.

josephebacon · September 11, 2018, 4:07pm

Steven Miller is a Jew with Nazi principles.

woland66 · September 11, 2018, 4:07pm

You’ll be surprised. I know a guy who emigrated from USSR because of antisemitism over 40 years ago and who was buying Russian propaganda in 2016 hook, line, and sinker. And the question “why are you in the same side as white supremacists?” does not lead to self-reflection, only to anger. At least this guy has an excuse of an advanced age.

nekrotzar · September 11, 2018, 4:11pm

When Miller heard about the sermon, he was so upset he threw $65 worth of bacon-and-cheese sandwiches in the garbage.

massie · September 11, 2018, 4:22pm

How about “schmuck”?

seamus42 · September 11, 2018, 4:23pm

Wonder if he’s related to Dan Burros, Nazi and Klan Grand Dragon who shot himself when he was outed as Jewish? That’d be him here, in the spectacles, looking fierce.

c_stedman · September 11, 2018, 4:23pm

OYVAY! For this putz, this schmuck I wasted my time!

sharong · September 11, 2018, 4:40pm

Yeah- I’d use that one- definitely.

the_loan_arranger · September 11, 2018, 4:40pm

It comes into Yiddish from Polish and/or Ukrainian:

Etymology
From Yiddish פּאַסקודניאַק‎ (paskudnyak), traceable to Polish and Ukrainian.
Noun
paskudnyak (plural paskudnyaks)

(derogatory) A nasty or contemptible person.
paskudnyak - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

thunderclapnewman · September 11, 2018, 4:44pm

So the rabbi didn’t wish Miller a Shana Tovah.

tena · September 11, 2018, 4:48pm

Didn’t Kushner’s rabbi do something similar last year? I remember reading that he’d done a sermon aimed straight at Jared.

c_stedman · September 11, 2018, 4:52pm

Hooray for rabbis!

hgc10 · September 11, 2018, 4:56pm

Typical? Depends on the rabbi and the bent of the congregation that employs them. Most Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist congregations are politically liberal on social issues, and this would be no surprise. It’s the Orthodox, “modern” Orthodox, and “black hat” ultra-Orthodox who are more inclined to be right-wingers. To call out one of their own by name, that’s unusual. But then Stephen Miller must be an embarrassment to this rabbi. With Miller’s uncle already excoriating him in op-ed pages, their family probably considers their association with him pretty awful. I gather that he developed his racism early in life.