Comments on: Updated: Rude, Rudderless Rabbi

By: Dantes

Dantes — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:05:13 +0000

Well put Andrew. Personally, I too find these differences within orthodoxy very inspiring, even beautiful. Shebopnik vs Dati leumi vs Modern Orthodox, lubavitch/chabad vs meshichist chabad (although theyre generally considered heretical), american charedi vs israeli charedi, yekish, mizrachi, sephardi, persian, ethiopian (!), etc. As someone who lived in Israel for a year and having attended the main institution of modern orthodoxy, Yeshiva University, I had the chance to interact with many of these groups; this [genuine] diversity is truly inspiring in that all these groups still feel a great kinship and unity through the traditions of overall Judaism.

Ilana, concerning your point, I would say that perhaps the Kotel is not a place for having an interfaith PR spectacle (after all, the wall is the remnant of the temple destroyed by the ultimate ancestor of the Vatican, the Romans, which is why this rabbi is adding fire to fuel. You are absolutely right. It is a chilul hashem. However, I recall an incident which ruffled some feathers some time ago. The pope had entered an orthodox synagogue, and upon his entrance, many in the congregation bowed on one knee and kissed the ring on his hand. Many were disturbed by this chutzpah and rightfully so. The pope should not expect non-Christians to prostrate themselves, even if this is the typical greeting he receives. For a Jew to do this, especially in a house of worship, is completely inappropriate.

[When was bowing and scraping ever in question? A far cry is this from stripping the head of the Catholic Church of his cross; that’s plain disgusting.]

Its all about principled balance I suppose.

By: Myron Pauli

Myron Pauli — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:39:09 +0000

There are variations even within Chabad. In Northern Virginia where I live, there may be 20 – 50 truly Orthodox families ( and maybe 200 nearly Orthodox ) so the Chabads are heavy on the welcoming and community outreach and not heavy on the “Rebbe is Messiah” nonsense. They even tolerate an atheist like myself, my Chinese adopted daughter, and various mixed couples and I have seen a few people at functions who had crosses (although it is probably not encouraged). It sounds like Rabbi Rabinovitch considers the Wailing Wall to be his private property – so some of the difficulty may be when Israel designates certain Jews as the “official keeper” of the truth and faith. Mixing state power with religion is a time-honored formula for mischief and tyranny. That, in part, is the wisdom behind America’s First Amendment.

By: Andrew T.

Andrew T. — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:43:44 +0000

Grant,

An enormous mistake is to refer to Jews monolothically. This will lead one to be anti-semitic. There are Jews that have never worked on the Sabbath day, Jews that are cross-country bikers, and there are Jews that dress in drag. More Jewish people than not live just about the same lives as any gentile. The best someone can do, I think, is just stick to theology and history.

The fact that Hasidic Jews are the most conservative of all sects does not mean that they speak for any and all more liberal sects of Judaism. They basically retreat from everything that is associated with the modern world, and their absolutist eschatology deems the State of Israel illegitimate, whereas this ethos is totally absent in Reform, Conservative, or even mainstream Orthodox Judaism. Ironically, the name of the Hasidim is based on the Hebrew word for “hospitality/kindness”, which too many of them have been notoriously unwilling to exhibit towards outsiders and even other Jews (sometimes, even one other, when even the most minor religious disagreement exists). Even here, one has to be prudent not to generalize too much. The difference in outlook toward the modern world, Israel, etc. between a Hassidic Jew of the Chabad sect and one from Satmar is really profound.

By: Grant

Grant — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:11:54 +0000

Having just returned from Israel, I can tell you that I observed the hypocrisy firsthand of the so-called religious Jews who think that their displays of piety will earn them something from YHWH. Jesus made it clear that their hypocrisy and displays earn them nothing! Not only that, the rudeness I witnessed by the Hasidic Jews was appalling beyond description. They are the biggest hypocrites of all! I can’t imagine that God is pleased with the Jews. They are in one of the many periods where they have pretty much turned their backs on Him. It’s no wonder that it seems like they and the Western countries are not being blessed.

By: Andrew T.

Andrew T. — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:21:48 +0000

I don’t find the rabbi’s statement “rude”, exactly. FYI, the ancient Temple did not even allow gentiles to come beyond a certain point on the surrounding land.

Yes, I’m a Christian.

By: Robert Glisson

Robert Glisson — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:28:35 +0000

As a Christian, who studied the roots of Christianity and now appreciates his Tallit, the good rabbi might find it a surprise to learn how many of us Christians (those accepting Abraham as founder rather than Calvin who created another religion that is)that not only have a Tallit at home but also take it to church sometimes. You are very right about many churches accepting articles of worship. Thank you for mentioning it.