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Oy vey! My last post has me on a serious tangent thinking about the persona and
stereotypical portrayal of the chronic kvetch. It's a cool word given that it's both a verb and a noun. Some have argued that it is also an art form (here for a funny video; here for the whole symposium). At the
very least, it is learned behavior. The determinants that create a kvetch
are complex and include societal, cultural and family dynamics.
Given my penchant for scriptural analogies to the mundane, I’ve
been looking for the kvetch in the scriptures. From the biblical perspective,
chronic complaining may be likened to murmuring. Both Hebrew (luwn -
Strong's H3885; to grumble, complain or murmur) and Greek (goggyzō - Strong's G1111; to murmur, mutter or grumble or those who chronically complain)
words translated as murmur in the Bible describe the kvetch. Though there are probably
many examples of the kvetch in scripture, we really don’t need to look further
than the second chapter of The Book of Mormon
for a great case study.
Nephi’s family is the best-described family in The Book of Mormon, and it has more than it's share of
complainers. Admittedly, they are
cast in the light of murmurers rather than complainers, but the difference is merely semantic. Laman & Lemuel,* Sariah** and even Lehi*** all had
their moments of murmuring. Add to these the constant complaining of Nephi's
in-laws**** and it is safe to assume that oy
vey was a familiar refrain
in the Lehite home.
It is also safe to say that the hardships and trials that Nephi went
through were at least as difficult as those of Laman and Lemuel.
The Psalm of Nephi (2 Nephi 4:16-35) is one of the most beautiful passages in scripture, and
gives great insights into some of Nephi's struggles.
O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart
sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. I am encompassed about, because of the temptations
and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire
to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins . . . why should
my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my
flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea,
why should I give way to temptations,
that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? 2 Nephi 4:17-19; 26-27
A common response to this kind of adversity would be to
vigorously murmur and complain. It's certainly how Nephi's brothers
generally responded. Yet Nephi does not kvetch, but rather he kvells. Kvell is another Yiddish verb meaning 'to be extraordinarily pleased; to be bursting with pride.' Consider his Psalm again:
I know in
whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me
through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me
upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love,
even unto the consuming of my flesh . . . Rejoice, O
my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever;
yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my
salvation. 2 Nephi 4:19-21, 30
Where Laman and Lemuel are defined by the kvetch, Nephi is defined by the kvell. His life is that of one who kvells over the things
the Lord has done for him. The perfect brightness of hope he taught was not just some idea, but
the experience that defined who he was--in spite of all of his adversity. While
many of those around him despaired and complained at every turn, Nephi
miraculously finds the way to "raise kvell". What a guy.
_____
* Laman & Lemuel's murmuring: 1 Nephi 2:11-12; 3:5;
3:31; 4;4; 16:20; 17:17; 17:22; 17:49; 2 Nephi 1:26; 5:3-4
** Sariah's murmuring: 1 Nephi 5:2-3
*** Lehi's murmuring: 1 Nephi 16:20; 16:25
**** Murmuring of the in-laws: 1 Nephi 16:20, 16:35
Loved this post.
ReplyDeleteYes Nephi had just as much to complain about as Laman and Lemuel, but he seems to have cultivated the practice of remembering all the Lord had done for him in his afflictions and learned how to turn to the Lord in his weakness.
I've read a really amazing book recently called Weakness is Not Sin. Highly recommend it, since it has some really solid ideas about HOW we can grow from our weaknesses.
I love that book as well. Thanks for your comments.
ReplyDeleteLove the last two posts.
ReplyDelete