Pravda Ne'eman
"Precious" is the perfect word for SJ! I think that his teenage angst is adorable.
SJ- A real class act; clearly a person with too much free time on his hands. Get a life.
Well, I'm convinced. He pointed out our errors, rationally and convincingly. I'm considering becoming irreligious right now.
The only response to someone like SJ is to hold their hand gently and assure them that everything will work out for the best, trying your best to hide your patronizing smile. Immediately after he has gotten out of ear-reach, roll on the floor and laugh your tuches off.
Haha! Priceless.
In all seriousness: SJ, I don't know who you are, have never read anything else on your blog, and don't have anything against you. Except, that is, for the rudeness of your two posts about this site. Look, if you want to express your opinions, please try civil discourse. Everyone would be a lot more willing to hear what you have to say, k?
sam, you mean civil discourse like freethinking upstart who says that he is more "mature" than I am and then calls me names?
or how about civil discourse like J.D.'s original sleazy mean spirited post bashing me which provoked all this? where was your "civil discourse" speech then?
There is a great deal wrong with Orthodoxy today. It has diverged greatly from the high standards of the past. Leaders of a prior generation (even those with whose views I disagree), were at least much more sincere. They LOVED other Jews. Today's leaders USE other Jews. SJ has the right to be disappointed. He should not, however, hate.
Orthodoxy must be improved from within. The education system is an abomination. The caste system is worse. SJ, if you don't feel happy about the Orthodox "prison" into which you were thrust, there are several things you can do. You can work to reform the system (not very realistic). You can move to a community, or join a group, that has a less extreme "brand" of Orthodoxy. What passes for "normal" in some of the suburbs, is very different than what is "normal" in Borough Park. Finally, and unfortunately, you can abandon Orthodox practice.
There is a big difference though, between subscribing to divergent views, and resorting to gutter talk. I am not Chassidic, nor very "Yeshivish". I am not "Modern" Orthodox, I'm not Reform, Conservative or Reconstructionist. I disagree with many of the concepts that ALL of those groups propound. Yet, I don't hate them, don't curse them, and don't use foul language to describe them. Where our interests coincide, I join them, where they don't, I stand aside. Sometimes, I try to influence them. Usually, I fail.
I've spent thirty five years of my adult life, "sitting on the fence", between the various groups that constitute modern Judaism. I have earned the respect of all parties, without really belonging to any.
Resorting to language befitting a drunken sailor, will earn you the respect that is the due of a drunken sailor. Grow up! Act with dignity! Use the power of your pen and your mind, to achieve something, not to earn the scorn of your fellows!
When he first opened up, I had high hopes that finally we'd hear secular Judaism expressed in a positive, intellectual fashion.
To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.
nolo contendere
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