Lipa's newest song, Buha Buha, which is not yet on Youtube but can be heard in this Kikar article, is creating quote a stir.
The song describes first how Lipa went to Rav Chaim Kanievsky for a bracha. Rav Kanievsky said "buha buha". Lipa asked the gabbai what buha buha means, and the gabbai explained it is an abbreviation of "bracha vhatzlacha" - בו"ה, and that Rav Kanievsky does not say the entire set of words out because he is busy learning and saying these words is bittul torah, so he minimizes his words. Lipa goes on to say how great it is that Rav kanievsky is so involved in his learning that even that little bit bothers him, yet he still sees and blesses all these people so they would not get insulted.
In the second part of the song, Lipa goes on to relate a story when he went t visit the Tosher Rebbe. After waiting for a long time, all night long, and it was about to be his turn, the gabbai came out and said the rebbe has to go eat before dawn.
Toker decided that this song is seriously disrespectful to the gedolim and he refuses to play it. Radio Kol Hai has reportedly backed him and gave instructions to all their show hosts to not play this song.
When I first listened to it, it truthfully sounded strange and disrespectful. As I listened though and paid attention to the words, it seemed to me to be very respectful and even expressed admiration - at least in the story with Rav Chaim Kanievsky. I still do not understand the point of the story with the Tosher Rebbe.
Lipa is a strange bird in general and seems to enjoy pushing the envelope...
What do you think about this song - is it respectful or disrespectful?
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when i went to rav kanievsky he said the words bracha vhatzlacha and not buha.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is respectful - his point seems to be that EVEN THOUGH he doesn't want to interrupt his learning, he still receives people and says at least buha.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the problem is that if Rav Chaim tries so hard to save a second of bittle torah - so why is it not an extreme disrespect and bizayon when hundreds of people waste Rav Chaim's time, not to mention hours and hours and hours of bittle torah every day in order to "get a bracha" (or a photo op) from him. Just leave him alone and let him learn!!! Why is getting your bracha from Rav Chaim is worth wasting his time??
ReplyDeleteYehuda, depends on what Rav Chaim's purpose is here on earth? It certainly is not to isolate himself and be some hermit. I understand that there are tzaddikim that are hidden and avoid dealing with many people, but others are out there in public leadership positions.
DeleteIt is a chessed on his part to help people out and comfort them. Maybe THEY should be more considerate, but if they feel they need it then he is doing a mitzvah by accepting them.
DeleteWhy is giving out "buha's" a public leadership position or helping and comforting people??
DeleteI understand that Rav Chaim is too "eidle" to push anyone away, but i know so so many people that go "bracha collecting" or so they can tell their friends that they "got a bracha from Rav Chaim". He is on the list of "things to do with your kids" for the frum tourists. Come on! Unless you really need a question answered that your LOR can't help with - then stop badgering him and let him learn.
Interesting that he would think buha buha requires less time to say. Even multipled by 100, not sure how it does.
ReplyDeleteI heard the song and didn't find anything disrespectful in it. He was not mocking Rav Kanievsky.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking perhaps that Rav Chaim could have been trying to be 'fly'? Are gedolim allowed to have a sense of humour?
ReplyDelete