Show me where Judaism is in any way in conflict with Western society and culture please.....If you can show me that, I will march right along with you! ---- Jewish life is based on values like authority, community, and eternity. As a result, American Jews sometimes find their Jewish values at odds with the values of the American society in which they live.
Americans pride themselves on being independent thinkers who recoil at being told what to do or what to believe. How do we reconcile this with Judaism's central principle of *mitzvah*--our obligation to live life in service to God according to a defined set of practices? Commandedness The Hebrew word mitzvah means "command." There is an identical word in Yiddish (*mitzveh*) that means "good deed." Most people use these words interchangeably, but they are polar opposites. A good deed is done for another person out of kindness. A commandment is done to serve God out of obligation. The difference is that as Jews, we are obligated even when we're not feeling kindly or we think we've done enough. >From a Jewish perspective, people who take the commandments upon themselves do not sacrifice their personal autonomy. According to the *Sayings of the Fathers* (6:2), "The only free person is one who is concerned with Torah." True autonomy comes when people can live free of the limitations of human nature by attaching themselves to a "Higher Authority." The Hebrew definition of mitzvah reflects this religious understanding, while the Yiddish one reflects a more secular view. Apparently, this debate has been going on long enough to enter the language. Reinterpretation The discrepancies between our American and Jewish values create a dilemma around which we have tiptoed. One of Judaism's greatest strengths has been its ability to adapt to its surroundings. In this spirit, we have created an "American Midrash" learning to live with certain contradictions. An example of American Midrash is our interpretation of Hanukkah and Passover as freedom holidays--reflecting American ideals. The Hanukkah story is actually about the internal Jewish struggle between assimilationists (Hellenists) and zealots (the Maccabees) who wanted to preserve Judaism from the influences of Greek society. But it fits better into our American context to see it as a battle for freedom of religion. Similarly, the point of the Passover story is not the physical freedom from slavery celebrated at the Red Sea and seder tables in America, but rather the events at Mount Sinai where the Israelites, freed from their Egyptian masters, were able to obey a new and more demanding master--God. An awareness of this contradiction is beginning to bubble to the surface. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, called for a Reform movement "grounded in autonomy and pluralism and also willing to talk of obligations." He called for observance that is "regular and consistent," and asserted that "our actions need not always begin with our own impulses." We live in a society where fulfilling our personal needs and desires is seen as our birthright. But as the late Professor Yeshayahu Leibowitz wrote in his essay "Commandments," "Every action through which one satisfies his own needs, whether physical or spiritual, is a service to himself and not service to God." More Contradictions Another contradiction: Except in times of extreme crisis, it is unusual for the American "we" to supersede the self. In Judaism, even our prayers are written in the plural. Herbert Bronstein, writing in *Tikkun* magazine, says, "Since God's covenant is with the community of Israel, a communal consciousness... transcends the individual self." Finally, American society is goal-oriented in nature, while Judaism is not. One can never do mitzvot well enough to stop doing them or reach the pinnacle of holiness and rest. Think of Neilah, the concluding Yom Kippur prayer service-- the shofar sounds, all is forgiven, and yet, the very next words speak of atoning for sin. As Jews, we understand observance as our way of tapping into eternity--being part of something more enduring than ourselves. After 350 years, we continue to struggle with what it means to be Jewish in America. While we cannot fully resolve the contradictions between our American and Jewish values, we might try acknowledging that the hyphen in American-Jewish is not always an uncomplicated path between our two realities. On Thursday, October 9, 2014 12:03:26 PM UTC-5, KeithInTampa wrote: > > Show me where Judaism is in any way in conflict with Western society and > culture please.....If you can show me that, I will march right along with > you! > > The problem, is that Judaism is not in conflict with Western Society! You > can find some examples of some Jew who has been accused of sexual > molestation, but nothing within Judaism itself approves of this. > > > > On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 12:59 PM, plainolamerican <[email protected] > <javascript:>> wrote: > >> get a clue, zionist xian. >> When a culture such as zionism is at total odds with Western Culture, our >> values, and calls for the demise of yours, mine, and our children's way of >> life, then I take that threat seriously..... >> >> tell you what ... you eliminate the the muzzies in FL and I'll eliminate >> the zionist jews and muzzies in TN. Deal? >> >> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 11:50:47 AM UTC-5, KeithInTampa wrote: >>> >>> I don't promote hatred. I promote common sense. When a culture such as >>> Islam/Sharia is at total odds with Western Culture, our values, and calls >>> for the demise of yours, mine, and our children's way of life, then I take >>> that threat seriously.....Obviously, while you sing another rendition of >>> "Kum-Bay-Yah" or "We Are The World, We Are The Children"; and swap sugar >>> with one of your towel headed brethren, you are naive and blinded by the >>> threat, much like your Peeps Whoopi, Joy Behar, Rosie O'Donnell, and a >>> host of other confused ignorant goofy women! >>> >>> On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 12:25 PM, plainolamerican <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> one can only conclude that you are a hatemongering zionist xian >>>> promoting hatred and war against muslims in both the middle east and >>>> America. >>>> do your children know who your really are? >>>> >>>> >>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 11:18:52 AM UTC-5, plainolamerican wrote: >>>>> >>>>> The bigger development was the reaction >>>>> <http://newsok.com/article/5340759> of Oklahoma's religious and >>>>> social justice groups to Bennett. Instead of dividing the community, >>>>> Bennett had brought together Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups as well >>>>> as >>>>> organizations like the NAACP and the ACLU to stand together at a press >>>>> conference to denounce Bennett and demand an apology. >>>>> >>>>> Rabbi Vered Harris of Oklahoma City's Temple B'nai Israel told me, "I >>>>> respect people of all religions, or no religions, who abide by America's >>>>> core values of tolerance and respect. It's unfortunate that Rep. Bennett >>>>> does not." >>>>> >>>>> I also spoke with the president of the Oklahoma Chapter of the NAACP, >>>>> Anthony Douglas, who said it was too late for Bennett to apologize, it >>>>> was >>>>> time for him to resign. Douglas, a Vietnam veteran, commented that >>>>> Bennett >>>>> is "promoting hatred and possibly even violence against Muslim Americans >>>>> with his comments and there's simply no place for that from our elected >>>>> officials." >>>>> >>>>> http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/19/opinion/obeidallah-anti-muslim-bias/ >>>>> >>>>> [image: john bennett crazy facebok post] >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 9:45:19 AM UTC-5, KeithInTampa wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> A Zionist Christian? Again, this shows that you have not a clue >>>>>> what you ramble on about...... >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 9:48 AM, plainolamerican <[email protected] >>>>>> > wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Bennett is a zionist xian to ignore. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2014 6:30:27 AM UTC-5, Travis wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> BareNakedIslam posted: "In a town hall appearance in Muskogee, >>>>>>>> Republican Oklahoma State Rep. John Bennett told the assembled crowd >>>>>>>> that >>>>>>>> the expansion of rights for Muslim Americans is no different than the >>>>>>>> growth of the Nazi Party in Germany before World War II. Raw Story >>>>>>>> Ben" >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> New post on *BARE NAKED ISLAM* >>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?author=1> My favorite Oklahoma >>>>>>>> Congressman, John Bennett, says: “Muslims can’t be trusted if they >>>>>>>> follow Islam” >>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahoma-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if-they-follow-islam/> >>>>>>>> by >>>>>>>> BareNakedIslam <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?author=1> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> In a town hall appearance in Muskogee, Republican Oklahoma State >>>>>>>> Rep. John Bennett told the assembled crowd that the expansion of >>>>>>>> rights for >>>>>>>> Muslim Americans is no different than the growth of the Nazi Party in >>>>>>>> Germany before World War II. Raw Story Bennett argued that there are >>>>>>>> no >>>>>>>> distinctions between radical Islamists and everyday […] >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Read more of this post >>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahoma-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if-they-follow-islam/> >>>>>>>> *BareNakedIslam <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?author=1>* | >>>>>>>> October 8, 2014 at 6:20 pm | Categories: EnemyWithin-America >>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?taxonomy=category&term=enemywithin-america>, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Islam in America >>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/?taxonomy=category&term=islam-in-america> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> | URL: http://wp.me/p276zM-18u7 >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Comment >>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahoma-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if-they-follow-islam/#respond> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> See all comments >>>>>>>> <http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahoma-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if-they-follow-islam/#comments> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Unsubscribe >>>>>>>> <https://subscribe.wordpress.com/?key=7f89380f46003915c34c2cdd2b126a38&email=bovinescatologists%40gmail.com&b=LC-68%2F%3Fr.6ktrdO%3F%2BHR%7ES%7Efugc2yAlV%2BQWSv%2BZgWOXZCICeo7JC> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> to no longer receive posts from BARE NAKED ISLAM. >>>>>>>> Change your email settings at Manage Subscriptions >>>>>>>> <https://subscribe.wordpress.com/?key=7f89380f46003915c34c2cdd2b126a38&email=bovinescatologists%40gmail.com>. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> *Trouble clicking?* Copy and paste this URL into your browser: >>>>>>>> http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/10/08/my-favorite-oklahom >>>>>>>> a-congressman-john-bennett-says-muslims-cant-be-trusted-if- >>>>>>>> they-follow-islam/ >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. >>>>>>> For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum >>>>>>> >>>>>>> * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ >>>>>>> * It's active and moderated. 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