Olomeinu

Does anyone remember the children's periodical Olomeinu - Our World, published by Torah Umesorah? Perhaps you remember Mendel the Mouse, or the interesting easy-Hebrew article, or the cartoon on the back page (as I recall, somehow it always featured a yeshiva bochur going to Odessa on a train). Perhaps your children receive a copy monthly.

A friend* sent me a cartoon from a recent issue.**



(click to enlarge, or download it as a PDF; direct link)

My friend asked what my thoughts were. I remarked that it reminded me of a Chick tract (for a classic Chick tract, click here : Where's Rabbi Waxman?). I then said that I wondered if this sort of cartoon is something new for Olomeinu, or perhaps these sorts of polemical messages basically flew over my head as a child** (related).

Agreeing that the latter is a possibility, my friend shared the thoughts which had occurred. Since there was little I disagree with, here are my friend's thoughts:

1. asking a question = chutzpadik
2. asking questions leads to going off the derech
3. going to college is equated with becoming irreligious
4. three college professors would be travelling together in one car to go to a lecture, as though they were bachurim going to a chasunah
5. the antiquated depiction of the professors
6. the phone call later admitting that the Gemara was right, and in fact, all of Torah was right

Anticipating that each of these points may be subject to dispute in the comments, let me just say that the reason why I think these messages are intended is basically because this is a story which was made up. The cartoonist was free to create any scenario, including one in which the boy who questions becomes a rosh yeshiva rather than irreligious. That's why it's similar to the Chick tracts.

All in all, this little gem is not half as interesting as the pearl unearthed by Blog in Dm.

All in all, I'm sure there will be an article devoted to these rare pieces of early 21st century Judaic ephemera in the American Jewish Historical Society journal. Perhaps I'll even rate a footnote.

*Who will be named, either by first or both names, or initials, if s/ he wishes.
** I honestly don't remember message of this sort, but I suspect that this isn't a new cartoon, but a reprint. Some things about it smells 1970s and not 2000s.