The Marvelous Midos Machine
| The Marvelous Midos Machine | |
|---|---|
Cover of Episode 1 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Original release | |
| Release | 1986 – 2011 |
The Marvelous Midos Machine is a series of Orthodox Jewish children's audiotapes by Abie Rotenberg and Moshe Yess.[1] The series follows the science fiction adventures of rabbi-scientist Dr. Midos,[2] who teaches Jewish values like Torah study, respect for the elderly, and the avoidance of sinas ḥinom (baseless hatred).[3][4]
At the start of the first album, Dr. Midos successfully launches a satellite into space, manned by a teenage "yeshiva bochur" (boy) named Dizzy. The satellite is the last necessary component to power his Midos machine, an invention that Dr. Midos hopes will help children around the world. The Midos machine works by finding a scenario somewhere in the world where kids are acting improperly, such as not speaking the truth or acting selfishly, and sounding a loud "Midos Alert!" Dr. Midos and his helper Shnooky then intervene to teach the children about that value, usually by playing a song that the children believe is coming from somewhere nearby. After hearing the song, the kids understand their mistake and try to improve.
Until today, the albums are still being played in Orthodox Jewish preschools and homes, teaching the children how to become kinder, more caring people.
The series was also released as a video by Oorah.
Volumes
- Episode 1: Up Up and Away (1986)
- Episode 2: Shnooky to the Rescue (1987)
- Episode 3: Does Anyone Have the Time? (1988)
- Episode 4: Shnooky's Bar Mitzvah (2011)[5]
References
- ^ Goldstein, Riki (March 15, 2017). "'Who Spilled the Milk?'". Mishpacha Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
- ^ Silow-Carroll, Andrew (April 17, 2022). "Lego rabbis, Hasidic coloring books: How toy makers and publishers created an alternative Jewish universe". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
- ^ Brosseau, Miriam. "Jewish Children's Music Grows Up: From Uncle Moishy to OyBaby". My Jewish Learning. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
- ^ Robinson, Ira (2008). "That Marvelous Midos Machine: Audio Tapes as an Orthodox Educational Medium". Translating a Tradition. Judaism and Jewish Life. Boston: Academic Studies Press. pp. 258–271. doi:10.1515/9781618110336-015. ISBN 978-1-61811-033-6.
- ^ "Abie Rotenberg releases Marvelous Midos Machine Vol. 4 after 20 years!". The Jewish Insights. December 8, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2022.