Plain Ol cut and pasted: *"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?"* Huh? This is "mumbo jumbo"! First, Americans do in fact believe in and support, the concept of "Community", they believe in an "Authority" including a "Higher Authority"; and the concept of "Eternity" is not a foreign concept to American Christians or even American Agnostics! Again Plain Ol', Mumbo Jumbo! On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 2:22 PM, plainolamerican <[email protected]> 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! > ---- > 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]> >> 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-t >>>>>>>>> hey-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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