Remember the whole “Obama Messiah” thing? If you don’t know what I’m referring to, google “Obama Messiah” – You’ll find almost as much material declaring and describing his apparent messianic qualities, as you will find criticising and ridiculing the very thought.

Across the street from our rented vacation apartment, there is a strange and even comical sight (see image below).

The restaurant awning requires no further description (just look at the photo). However, the two yellow flags above and to the left of the store front may seem unfamiliar to some. These are yellow flags with images of blue royal crowns and the word “Moshiach” stenciled directly below the crowns.

The word “Moshiach” is the original Hebrew word for “Messiah”, and these flags can be found all over Crown Heights and elsewhere (some lettered in Hebrew and some in English). Jews are still awaiting the ultimate (meaning, first and only) revelation of the prophesied messiah, and Judaism is deeply invested in fulfilling the prophecy. I bring this extra detail for your consideration to help illustrate the fact that there is certainly no intentional connection between these flags and the store awning – There is absolutely no doubt that Obama, with all due respect to those that worship him, is not and cannot be Messiah under the Jewish definition (which is the origin of most if not all messianic theologies).

By now, the humor in this scene should be obvious, especially when we consider the topical collision between the “Obama Messiah” craze, the restaurant awning, and the Jewish devotion to all things truly messianic…

Are you the type to be motivated by opportune combinations of inspiration, humor, and the sublimely ridiculous? If so, start your Crown Heights mornings on the corner of Troy Avenue and Lincoln Place.