Friday, October 4th 2024   |

Ted Roberts – The Scribbler on the Roof (In Memoriam)

THEODORE “TED” ROBERTS was a humorist and writer, who lived in the Deep South of Huntsville, Alabama and wove stories based on his lifelong love of Judaism. Roberts’ collection of columns that ran in the CCJN with his sobriquet “The Scribbler on the Roof,” are archived here in the hopes that reading his homespun brand of Talmud will bring you continued joy and love of Jewish learning and culture. Roberts, 89,  died on March 2, 2020 and was buried in his hometown of Memphis.

The First Prayer – Missing Gift

By TED ROBERTS, the SCRIBBLER ON THE ROOF

It had been a busy six days even for the King of the Universe. The earth and all its contents – well, that was accomplishment enough. But the galaxies and the rules...

A letter to God

By TED ROBERTS, the SCRIBBLER ON THE ROOF

We’ve talked before, but I never put it in writing. Initially, I wasn’t comfortable about this. But then I reflected that a frank dialogue with The Master of the Universe, whose creative...

Ain’t science great?

BY TED ROBERTS, The SCRIBBLER ON THE ROOF

When it comes to objective, non-biased perceptions of my fellow human beings, I pride myself on my lack of bias.  If three men in plaid Walmart shirts knock me down, kick me...

A question of jurisdiction

By TED ROBERTS, The SCRIBBLER ON THE ROOF

It wasn’t a great place to die in. Naked board walls – in the corner, a wood stove – straw, not rugs, on the floor and a bed that was no more...

Beged Ka’as: His Coat of Anger

By TED ROBERTS, the Scribbler on the Roof

I had an interesting challenge the other day. One of my favorite editors of a Midwest Jewish newspaper, knowing my reputation as a connoisseur of Midrashim, said:  “OK, Ted, what about Beged...

Shavuot – the ignored holiday

By TED ROBERTS, The Scribbler on the Roof

There’s an old Midrash that I just made up that talks about the holidays. They had a party – the holidays that is – and paraded through the synagogue. There was music...

Shavuot: A holiday for seven-year-olds too

By TED ROBERTS, the Scribbler on the Roof

My seven year old granddaughter usually visits around Shavuot. She loves to visit her doting grandfather. Naturally. What’s not to like? We eat ice cream. Fudge ripple’s her favorite – our ONLY...

NOWFE trips into town next month

By TED ROBERTS, The Scibbler on the Roof

Guess what happens on May 22 through May 25? No, it’s not my wife’s birthday.  It’s an event that food lovers and oenophiles (that’s a big word meaning wine lovers – I...