The Artificial Divide
Interesting words from, of all places, a blog sponsored by the Reform movement:
The commonly held view of the polarized division between Orthodox and non-Orthodox is in fact far from accurate. While there are all sorts of examples of opposition and active conflict, of mutual fear, there is also heavy traffic along the paths leading in both directions… These personal religious journeys, as well as marriages across the lines of religious definition, lead to a reality in which it seems like every extended family contains a variety of disparate positions. One sees these especially at life cycle observances and Passover sedarim, when the families gather and you can tell from the headgear and the skirt length that the whole spectrum is represented.
There are plenty of Orthodox rabbis actively engaged in missionizing among the non-religious population… However, it seems obvious that most of those who become involved are not being tricked — they are finding something they’ve been looking for.
Hat Tip: Rabbi Dovid Winiarz
I read the whole article on the blog and noticed a banner ad for a book by Jim Keen. I’ve read some of his articles in a local weekly. He has a good heart, good intent, but the Judaism he is enabling the rest of the family to live is so unsubstantial that it’s no wonder that there is the kind of movement towards observance that the blogger refers to. Though unfortunately, as the years go by, the world is getting so much more superficial that I fear this movement may fizzle out, especially as the authentic Jewish world gets more superficial. A challenge for us all.
Too often, we tend to think that we are somehow better than other Jews. The article quoted below causes me such shame that I would rather not be identified with the “frum” side of the divide. How in the name of decency can we associate with people who discriminate against other Jews in this way and then have the gaul to think they are closer to Hashem? Why can’t they go to school with Sephardim?
Deputy Minister Porush Working to Find Solution for Emanuel School
April 9, 2010
Deputy Minister of Education R’ Meir Porush has been meeting with attorneys and rabbonim as he continues efforts to find a solution to this week’s High Court of Justice ruling, fining Chinuch Atzmai 5,000 NIS a day for each day the Beis Yaakov in Emanuel remains segregated between ashkenazim and sephardim.
Porush met with Maran Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita and the Slonim Rebbe Shlita, presenting them with the facts given over to him by legal experts, as well as seeking the guidance of the gedolei torah.
According to reports, R’ Elyashiv realized the magnitude of the court’s decision calling for a “loud cry”.
According to a Kikar Shabbos report, R’ Elyashiv is calling for protest action against the High Court of Justice.