Marc Jampole’s “Hashmal”

Earlier this summer, editorial board member and frequent Blog-Shmog contributor Marc Jampole’s short story “Hashmal” was published by the Jewish Literary Journal. A voyage through “the long, narrow, tenebrous breach from the light outside the door to the light at the end of the hall,” it’s a reflection on ways of knowing and the kabbalistic concept from which it takes its title. And chess:

Chess is a lot like life. You make small immediate goals for yourself that will lead to the big goal. Like occupying the center of the board to capture the King later on. You’re limited by your material and time, just like life. And no matter how strong a move is, it must by definition weaken you someplace else on the board. That’s the first law of thermodynamics. And just like life, you have to be in the right place at the right time.

If you’re looking for something to read this weekend, we recommend it highly.