clean characters like Mickey Mouse.
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Please see my prior post. The Lubavitcher Rebbe ZYA did not consider Mickey MOUSE a clean character. Noiach did not either, and my friend who is an exterminator would most certainly agree. You disagree – fine, but we follow our Rebbe and you follow your daas Torah – elu ve’elu. For us not to know about cartoon mice, especially when we do participate in all the world has to offer on our own Torah terms, is a source of pride.
The Ginsberg children were brought up in BP, where there are Jewish toy stores or Judaica gift stores filled with toys on every commercial block. Why would their parents, who represent the Rebbe’s teachings in BP, bother with Mickey Mouse? It is like asking a balabuste in BP why she doesn’t use Gold Medal flour or can’t remember the name of some popular brand of margarine – why should she if Kemach and Gefen are available on every corner.
Even if the older ones know who Mickey is, it is like asking me if I know who Tebow or Lin are. Sure, I do – I know they are sports stars. I would not recognize a picture of either of them. I do not know their first names. I am not sure what team they play for, and I’m not sure what sport Lin plays – I think it is basketball but I really would have to double-check. For that matter, is Lin the right spelling of his name? I don’t know. I know Tebow plays football and got some attention for his beliefs. I am very proud I do not know more about sports – for me it is mental clutter.
They may well know that Mickey is a cartoon character, but that’s about all they know. They don’t count that as knowledge.