Version Colors
Morgen in der Fruh
Is he twisted, and so he twists? Or was he educated twistedly? Hopefully, he'll realize—as soon as tomorrow morning.
The other day I was discussing Harvey Swados with a friend of mine. He was a prolific author in his own right and an American social critic who authored novels, short stories, essays, and journalism.
He's the origin of the Rebbe's famous response whether or not there'll be another Holocaust:
"...Was it his opinion, then, that the tragedy [the Holocaust] was not a unique visitation upon the Jewish people, and that it could happen again? 'Morgen in der fruh,' he replied unhesitatingly. 'Tomorrow morning.'..."
In other words, he asked: "Was the Holocaust a one-time event that will never happen again, or are such bloodbaths lurking around the corner?"
The Rebbe responds: "Morgen in der fruh. Indeed, such a disaster can happen as soon as tomorrow morning."
You need not be a wise man to understand this dialogue.
But plot twist: my friend begs to differ. He goes on to explain the "true meaning" of the Rebbe's response: "The Rebbe meant it 'sarcastically'. Just like it's not just happening tomorrow morning--it won't happen again."
I stared, mouth agape. "How did you come up with this brilliant conclusion?" I asked at the end of my sigh. "That's the meaning." he said with conviction.
I didn't know what to make of it. I attempted to explain his obvious foresight, oversight, but he held tight. I walked away, feeling a tingling sensation -- some people just get things farkert. It's frightening.