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174 FROM BEYOND ThE GRAVE, ThE PODIATRIST COUNSElS hIS SON ON PRAYER “How to pray? You’re gonna need a password. But not now. And you’re gonna see it’s numbers, not words. Didn’t I tell you: if it’s got words, it’s not prayer, and it’s not a password either. So what if I’m dead? What does that matter? You think you bury your father and that’s the end? Schmegegge! What are you thinking, that the living have a monopoly on life? Give the dead some credit. I didn’t just die, you know. Think of the preparation. A man has to get himself ready. And what did I ask? That you pay your respects. So light the yizkor, light the candle. Oi! Tear the clothes, rend the garment, I said, and that you did. Point my feet toward the door, I said, and that you did. God takes what He takes, son, and the body follows. But prayer? Prayer? Where was the prayer? Listen: God created us first the feet, then the rest. So? So we bow the head when we pray to show respect. Cover the head, where’s your yarmulke? Daven, daven, rock back and forth . . . Now ask: ‘Who am I? Who am I? What am I here for?’ 175 These are the things you ask, but this is not prayer. It’s what you need to know before you start. Why are we here? We’re here to mend the world. That’s it. Just remember, God doesn’t answer prayers. So don’t ask. Don’t ask for anything. Shopping is shopping. Prayer is prayer. Don’t confuse the two.” ...

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