Being Jewish VS Shammayans

May 27, 2009 at 9:00 pm (Jewish)
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Why be a Jew? Or better yet, why do Jewish things?

Saturday is my Bar Mitzvah. Today I am feeling a bit disturbed. This happens every once in a while but today it stinks because I should be happy about my weekend coming up.

Should one follow the lineage of Hillel or Shammai? Should one follow the majority which the Talmud points out is more important than what’s “halachically correct” and G-d is OK with that (see Oven of Aknai = Bava Metzia 59b)?

I am disturbed by the frum Shammayans. Who are they you might ask? Shammayans believe that:

  1. Jews who do not practice the way they do aren’t Jewish
  2. The law is more important than the intent
  3. Hillel was wrong and Shammai should have won
  4. Tradition is always right
  5. Judaism never changed between the Mishnah and the 18th century
  6. It is impure to daven with Jews who do not identify with their rabbi
  7. It is ok to belittle their kin and mourn them while they live
  8. Idol worship is wrong unless it is their way you worship
  9. Their kashrut is more kosher than yours
  10. As long as it is kosher who cares how it is done

It upsets me that I have the Christians trying to convert me, the Muslims trying to one up the Christians and the Shammayans trying to do more damage than both of them by destroying my identity and way of life. I can deal with the Christians and Muslims they are on the outside. I am not sure what to do with the Shammayans.

Why bother being Jewish if a significant portion of the same population doesn’t want you to be? And if the assimilated world does not want you to be? Nevermind antisemitism, Shammayans are doing their best to minimize the Jews in the world.

cross posted on Blog Midrash

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Whoso be a man be a non-conformist

June 22, 2008 at 9:46 pm (Uncategorized)
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“Whoso be a man be a non-conformist.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Now I feel like going in the woods and building myself a cabin to live alone. … Living by your ideals sure can be a lonely experience. I have been having a crisis of community for a couple of months now.

In my professional life I am a software designer. Many times I am the only one on my team or in my company that does what I do. Lately it feels that I do not belong in the company nor in the design community. My ideas seem to always need time. They need repetition and explaining. Sometimes I just want group think.

In my life, I am Jewish. I like to live this life with intention and try Jewish traditions even though they are foreign to me and sometimes my family and community. I am Jewish in a community that has many Jews but you would never know unless you read their names. They are assimilated Jews. Some are very active in the Jewish community. Many are not. I feel like I am different in the general community and within the Jewish community. I get the feeling that I am not with the community I am within. Sometimes I just want group think.

Something I find very difficult are the frum/ Orthodox who tell me that I am not Jewish. I am not sure what to do with this emotionally or intellectually. The judgments are infuriating and only make me feel further outside. Sometimes I wish for a little humility.

Am I man yet? I think I need a new definition.

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Frum?

June 11, 2008 at 9:29 am (Uncategorized)
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I don’t get it. Why is it those vocal people who consider themselves frum (e.g. orthodox) think that by belittling the Judaism of those who are not frum is going to bring them closer to G-d and Judaism? Why do some continue to say that those who are not frum are not Jewish? What gives them the right to idolize their worship over that of others?

There are not many Jews in this world. People are all up in arms that intermarriage is so high and Jews are leaving the fold. I am not so concerned. The Jewish people have been knocked back to their last green growth many times over the millennia. Those remnant populations have emerged and created great growth and contributed greatly to Judaism. The curse of each generation is the infighting. This generation seems very adept at splitting itself into groups. I believe the plurality of ideas helps strengthen the Jewish people. However, the outright belittling of each group is useless and divisive. I will go one step further and say that it is detrimental to the growth and spirit of the Jewish community.

It is our responsibility as Jews to worship G-d, study Torah and perform Tikkun olam. We should strive to ensure we do not do to others which is hateful to ourselves. This is the essence of Judaism. If you are frum and follow halachic rulings, that is interesting in a traditional sense but is not the only way to practice Judaism. No one knows the true way. What I do know is that if you follow this essence of Judaism with intention there is no person in this world that can tell you that you are not a Jew. You have a place in this world and the world to come.

I implore you, break down these barriers and let’s strive to be Jews together. Be Jewish with intention and do what has been asked of you.

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