Initial Refusal

Concerning the calling presented by the double helix of storm whirl and fire whirl, Moses Levinsky came angrily to the decision of not wanting this life-changing mandate. He came to the point of conveying this refusal, in the presence of the Darkness, towards God.

"Eternal One, I respectfully refuse this mandate!" he went straight to the point.

Wow! I appreciate your appointee's summoned courage and candor. He has not fled from us in the manner of a peculiar prophet, nor has he provided a litany of excuses in the manner of his namesake.

It has to do with his past. Mark my words, though: he will do something more outlandish! Like you quipped, I just had to select someone with a stubborn knack for temper. He will offer a litany of excuses soon enough, then have the chutzpah to outdo Jonah and do a Shammai on us!

Do a Shammai?

As in scolding us and sending us away angrily? As in proverbially pushing us away with a stick?

Oh, that outlandish?

Yes, that outlandish! This time, I'm more than willing to tolerate his initial refusal and to play his extended game, but only up to a point.

"I can't just give up my livelihood and prospects, as well as my social circle, to become an abject pariah or sorry outcast, or to be deemed a mentally disturbed person!" protested the annoyed one, "That's exactly how modern society would treat the prophets of old, were they alive today!"

"Time across almost all Creation is at a near-standstill," answered the Supreme Being.

"Who… arranged for this temporal manipulation?" he rebutted emphatically, then chanted with equal authority, "Is it not I, the Eternal?"

Excuse me, Brother?

Before you rashly revive our argument just now, Sis, I merely said that I arranged for the temporal freeze, not that I exerted it.

"Because of this, you will still be able to service your congregation and your clients, as well as socialize with friends and family, when you're not steeped in your mandate," the Creator offered divine assurance.

Despite hearing this assurance, Moses Levinsky remained intransigent in his dissatisfaction. He even strengthened his resolve not to carry the heavy burden that was this life-changing mandate. From the perspective of the Darkness and God, however, he was actually hardening his heart.


Author's Note: Chuck's elaboration on "do a Shammai" comes from Shammai's anger towards presumptuous prospective converts in Shabbat 31a of the Babylonian Talmud.