Controversial "South Park" Minyan Divides Student Body

Those little rascals from South Park are mired in yet another maelstrom of controversy. Only this time, it is not just the usual laundry list of activists and concerned citizens -- parents, politicians, religious leaders, educators-- who have been taken aback by the popular cable show's sexually charged content and raunchy jokes. A good deal of students at YU are now up in arms, resolute in curtailing South Park's burgeoning popularity at the college.

These students, besides for being repulsed by the large crowds that often gather in the various lounges across campus for the show's airing every Wednesday night at ten o'clock, are equally dismayed by the Minyan that is formed in the Morg Beit Midrash right before show time. Known derisively as the "South Park Minyan," it usually begins at five minutes before the hour, and rarely takes longer than three minutes, just in the nick of time for the show's opening credits. The Minyan's "one minute" Shmone Esreh and "twenty second" Shma have become legendary; throughout the Minyan's duration, nervous students often move about anxiously, pacing back and forth, their minds drowned in a sea of doubt of whether the davening will finish in time for more important matters.

Not surprisingly, a large segment of the student population at Yeshiva -- an institution where traditionally any action that has deviated slightly from the conventional practice has often been relegated to taboo status and become fodder for endless controversy -- are enraged. For these students -- comprised predominantly of the more observant element in the institution -- such a Minyan reeks of hypocrisy and should be disbanded at once. The sheer idea that their fellow classmates are rushing their prayers in order to watch a show consisting of foul-mouthed cartoon characters hurling four-letter epithets at one another is too galling to even contemplate. Moreover, the Minyan's detractors add, students who choose to go to this Minyan, instead of waiting the extra five minutes to daven with the Yeshiva in the main Beit Midrash, should be ashamed at themselves as Jews and especially as Talmidim in America's largest Modern Orthodox yeshiva.

Sophomoric in its humor, obscene in its dialogue and graphic in its numerous references to sex, South Park, in its brief yet tumultuous history, has become a popular-culture phenomenon, amassing a cult-like following numbering in the millions; literally thousands of web-sites have sprouted throughout cyber-space dissecting the show's every episode; fraternity houses across the country hold "South Park" parties, where people are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters. With its witty references to old sitcoms, washed up Rock 'n' Roll stars and other tidbits of pop-culture folklore, South Park is now widely seen by sociologists and media commentators alike as the ultimate post-modern farce, a television show whose sense of irony is particularly representative of this country's current Zeitgeist.

Comedy Central, the once sagging cable network which airs the show, has seen its ratings across the board double, buoyed by its first bona-fide hit. South Park is a crudely drawn cartoon which depicts life in a stereotypical suburb, as seen through the precocious eyes of third-graders. Despite their angelic looks and harmless appearances, the pint-sized characters in the show curse like sailors, indulge in nihilistic violence and often pull off cruel pranks that leaves at least one of the characters dead every episode. Combine that with cartoon's numerous allusions - both subtle and unsubtle - to copulation, homosexuality, pornography and drug use, and you have a television show that even the most understanding parents won't let their children watch. Some of the show's more over-the-top premises include a showdown between Jesus and the Devil on Christmas Eve, a ten year old female character trying to seduce her married teacher, and a black cook at the school ( who coincidentally sounds a lot like Isaac Hayes) being arrested for drug use.

Predictably, the show has been greeted with as much criticism as it has with praise. Television critics and parental watch groups have belittled the show for its glorification of violence, anti-religious overtones and smutty language. Countering with equal fervor, the show's supporters see South Park as a slick satire - television at its scabrously funny best - combining high-brow and low-brow humor to form a Matisse-like cartoon that can be understood on numerous levels.

As an institution whose walls are not impervious to the perfidious trends of popular culture, YU has seen a similar debate erupt, dealing not only with the show's content but whether a Minyan whose sole purpose is to let students watch an X-rated cartoon should be allowed to continue. For attendees of the Minyan and fans of the show the answer is a clear yes. "I love the show," said Daniel Goldstein when asked about his feelings concerning South Park. "I think the humor is quite sophisticated. It is truly one of the great shows on television these days." Regarding the Minyan, Goldstein, a tallish, good-looking twenty-year old clad in jeans and a tee-shirt, did not even know that there were people in the college who opposed it. "Why should anyone care that we are davening Maariv a bit earlier," the YC junior opined. "I think it is better is to daven than not to daven. Hashem accepts all tefilah."

Other fans of the show saw the opposition to the Minyan as reflecting the right-wing course many students in the university have taken in recent years, and as yet another attempt by the student body's more religious segment to impose its will on the mainstream. As one student who responded on the condition of anonymity sternly put it: " I think the opposition comes from the more "Yeshivish" part of this school. It is unfortunate that people would be against other Jews davening to G-d, no matter how quick or unfelt their davening was." The student chafed at the notion that it was hypocritical for him to attend such a Minyan. "I can daven wherever I want, whenever I want. I feel it is even a greater hypocrisy for a Jew to rank out his fellow Jew just because he does not agree with another person's actions."

However, many students when asked about the Minyan and their views on South Park in general, relished the idea of critiquing their fellow students. "It is disgusting that people are attending this Minyan and setting aside time in their day to watch such a show," said Monty Steckler, a sophomore majoring in history. He has never actually seen the show, but, nevertheless, has read about it. "What's the point of davening if your going to race through it and have no Kavanah and then immediately afterwards watch such a show?"

Others took even a more unforgiving stance. Jonathan Price, an MYP student, called the fans of South Park who take over the televisions in the lounges, thus forcing everyone watching television at the time to see the show, "disgraces." He elaborated on his comments stating " I have no idea why such people would choose to attend this institution." Another MYP student went even to greater lengths in his opposition to the Minyan, going to the extent of personally disparaging the types of students who are fans of the show. Wisely speaking on the condition of anonymity, the student - black hat on head and Gemara in hand - pointed to the fact that the students who gather to watch the show come mostly from JSS, IBC, BMP and less prestigious MYP shiurim "At least some of them are davening before watching this drivel," the Chareidi looking senior concluded sheepishly. This last sentiment was echoed by many of the more religious-looking students interviewed for this article. Although never stating it explicitly, many used coded phrases hinting to the fact that students who were serious about learning were not fans of the show and that fans of the show should not be considered part of the Yeshiva.

Still, there were students who offered tempered words of optimism. Roni Shapiro, adopting a more conciliatory position, stated "that while I don't like the show, I do think students have a right to watch it publicly on the YU campus." He added that "people should refrain from judging others, especially in Elul." The question for the rest of the school year, is whether voices of reason like Mr. Shapiro will ultimately triumph. If not, then once again another petty, yet contentious issue will help exacerbate an already pronounced chasm in an increasingly factious student body.