The LA Times reports on the efforts to rescue Torahs from NOLA's Orthodox shul.
It's a good article -- except for the places where the reporter parades his ignorance of Judaism.
You'd think the LA Times could afford a fact checker.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Are MOs the "black people"* of Orthodox Judiasm?
Are MOs the "black people"* of Orthodox Judiasm?
It's a commonplace to say that Jews were the "black people" of Europe. After all, in Europe, we were the ones left unprotected by the laws, the ones often used as slaves, the ones forced into ghettos and demonized via sterotypes, slander and libels.
It goes much too far to say that MOs are treated this badly by the other branches of Orthodox Judaism, but the discussions of race and NOLA have brought one simmilarity into focus.
When we looked at NOLA we saw the behavior of a handful of black people, and from this the unscrupulous among us learned lessons about all black people in general. They're all poor, all lazy, all violent, all looters, all too irresponsible to get out of the city. And this, the unscrupulous among us decided, is unique to black people, and the fault of black culture.
Never mind, that many white people also behaved without honor in NOLA. No one will ever decide, based on the disaster at St. Rita's, that white people, as a group, are in the grips of a culture of irresponsibility. No one will ever decide, based on the president's and his lacky's lazy, indifferent response to the emergency, that white people as a group are aloof and indifferent to the suffering of other people. Any lessons drawn from the behavior of white people will be lessons learned about the culture in general. No one will ever get up on a soapbox to pontificate about white people, and their culture in particular. Which, incidently, is how it should be.
I've noticed the UO Jews tend to treat MOs with the same disrespect. Acording to the UOs MO culture encourages preekas ol (1) . MO culture puts teens at risk. MOs -as a community- don't value Torah study. MO culture is materialistic. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Never mind that there are mansions in Flatbush which surpass anything in West Hempstead. Never mind that Lakewood has plenty of its own at risk teens. Never mind that you'll find more people batteling (2) outside the Mir or Yeshiva Gavoha than you'll find inside the YU bes medrash (3) (4.) UO's who don't live up to the high standards of our faith will always be thought of as individuals who failed, while the unscrupulous among us will always consider the MOs who fall short as products of a failed culture.
----
1 - Throwing off the yoke of the commandments
2 - Wasting time
3 - Study hall
4 - Yes, there are also more people inside the bes medrash at Yeshiva Gavoha and Mir than there are in the YU bes medrash, but that misses the point.
* You can substitute the N-word, if you wish, but I do not condone this.
It's a commonplace to say that Jews were the "black people" of Europe. After all, in Europe, we were the ones left unprotected by the laws, the ones often used as slaves, the ones forced into ghettos and demonized via sterotypes, slander and libels.
It goes much too far to say that MOs are treated this badly by the other branches of Orthodox Judaism, but the discussions of race and NOLA have brought one simmilarity into focus.
When we looked at NOLA we saw the behavior of a handful of black people, and from this the unscrupulous among us learned lessons about all black people in general. They're all poor, all lazy, all violent, all looters, all too irresponsible to get out of the city. And this, the unscrupulous among us decided, is unique to black people, and the fault of black culture.
Never mind, that many white people also behaved without honor in NOLA. No one will ever decide, based on the disaster at St. Rita's, that white people, as a group, are in the grips of a culture of irresponsibility. No one will ever decide, based on the president's and his lacky's lazy, indifferent response to the emergency, that white people as a group are aloof and indifferent to the suffering of other people. Any lessons drawn from the behavior of white people will be lessons learned about the culture in general. No one will ever get up on a soapbox to pontificate about white people, and their culture in particular. Which, incidently, is how it should be.
I've noticed the UO Jews tend to treat MOs with the same disrespect. Acording to the UOs MO culture encourages preekas ol (1) . MO culture puts teens at risk. MOs -as a community- don't value Torah study. MO culture is materialistic. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Never mind that there are mansions in Flatbush which surpass anything in West Hempstead. Never mind that Lakewood has plenty of its own at risk teens. Never mind that you'll find more people batteling (2) outside the Mir or Yeshiva Gavoha than you'll find inside the YU bes medrash (3) (4.) UO's who don't live up to the high standards of our faith will always be thought of as individuals who failed, while the unscrupulous among us will always consider the MOs who fall short as products of a failed culture.
----
1 - Throwing off the yoke of the commandments
2 - Wasting time
3 - Study hall
4 - Yes, there are also more people inside the bes medrash at Yeshiva Gavoha and Mir than there are in the YU bes medrash, but that misses the point.
* You can substitute the N-word, if you wish, but I do not condone this.
My first post on spirituality
When someone uses the word "spirituality" you never know what they are talking about.
This is because spirituality is a horrible word, a word that means different things to different people, and a word that subsumes many different areas of thought, areas of thought like the existence of spiritual worlds, the rules of the afterlife, and the purpose of mitzvoth.
I'd love to see the word dropped from intelligent speech, in the way that words like "nice" and "special" are largely avoided by people who care about words. I'd love for people to say what they mean, instead of hiding behind a high-sounding weasel word like "spirituality."
Here's an illustrative example.
GH likes to say that "Spirituality is an important part of Judaism." But what the hell does he mean? That demons are an important part of Judaism? That the afterlife is an important part of Judaism? That kugel is an important part of Judaism? I have no idea. And I supect that he doesn't either.
If GH would like to (finally) explain to us what he means when he says that "Spirituality is an important part of Judaism," I'll be glad to tell you if he's right or wrong.
This is because spirituality is a horrible word, a word that means different things to different people, and a word that subsumes many different areas of thought, areas of thought like the existence of spiritual worlds, the rules of the afterlife, and the purpose of mitzvoth.
I'd love to see the word dropped from intelligent speech, in the way that words like "nice" and "special" are largely avoided by people who care about words. I'd love for people to say what they mean, instead of hiding behind a high-sounding weasel word like "spirituality."
Here's an illustrative example.
GH likes to say that "Spirituality is an important part of Judaism." But what the hell does he mean? That demons are an important part of Judaism? That the afterlife is an important part of Judaism? That kugel is an important part of Judaism? I have no idea. And I supect that he doesn't either.
If GH would like to (finally) explain to us what he means when he says that "Spirituality is an important part of Judaism," I'll be glad to tell you if he's right or wrong.
Culture of Life
Number of gay marriages Bush has prevented: 0
Number of abortions Bush has prevented: 0
Number of people dead today in Iraq: 150
And no, you can't blame in all on Brownie.
Number of abortions Bush has prevented: 0
Number of people dead today in Iraq: 150
And no, you can't blame in all on Brownie.
Is that the devil wearing ice skates?
Bush:: "Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government. To the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility."
Alan tears the Godol a new one
CLICK
Note to the sweet and sensitive: I'm not "crowing." It gives me no pleasure to see the Godol Hador go down in flames. I like the Godol Hador. On most issues, I want him to win. I'm calling attention to Alan's comment (and his subsequent remarks on that thread) only because the fantastic points he makes about morality and the Torah are points I've been struggling to make for the better part of a day.
Also, regarding this issue, GH called me a bozo yesterday. Who's the bozo now, big guy? (See? That was crowing.)
Note to the sweet and sensitive: I'm not "crowing." It gives me no pleasure to see the Godol Hador go down in flames. I like the Godol Hador. On most issues, I want him to win. I'm calling attention to Alan's comment (and his subsequent remarks on that thread) only because the fantastic points he makes about morality and the Torah are points I've been struggling to make for the better part of a day.
Also, regarding this issue, GH called me a bozo yesterday. Who's the bozo now, big guy? (See? That was crowing.)
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Prager the girl-hater
Shorter Dennis Prager: Girls are rotten made out of cotton.
In the comments, I'll tell you why he's not just an idiot, but a misogynistic idiot.
Update: Never mind. Yudel and the BBJ did it just fine.
In the comments, I'll tell you why he's not just an idiot, but a misogynistic idiot.
Update: Never mind. Yudel and the BBJ did it just fine.
Following GH's stunning, but Christian-assisted 100 percent on the Orthodoxy test, we have this (left) from Mis-Nagid, who says "And you think DovBear and GodolHador are confused about their religiosity? ;-) "
Spiritual mumbo jumbo
This test, promises to reveal your spiritual type. Whatever that means.
My result?
"Old-fashioned Seeker -- Happy with my religion but searching for the right expression of it."
Which, sounds about right.
My result?
"Old-fashioned Seeker -- Happy with my religion but searching for the right expression of it."
Which, sounds about right.
Demolishing Dumb Diagnostic Devices
At the Godol Hador's urging, I took a silly little quiz, published at Beliefnet, which promises to reveal "what religion (if any) you practice...or ought to consider practicing."
Here are my results:
1. Reform Judaism (100%)
2. Orthodox Judaism (93%)
3. Sikhism (86%)
4. Liberal Quakers (84%)
5. Islam (82%)
6. Bahá'í Faith (81%)
7. Unitarian Universalism (76%)
8. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (68%)
9. Jainism (61%)
10. Orthodox Quaker (60%)
[...]
19. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (43%)
20. Seventh Day Adventist (39%)
21. Eastern Orthodox (37%)
22. Roman Catholic (37%)
The quiz is deeply flawed, so flawed in fact that if you managed to score at 100 percent for Orthodox Judaism I'd question your kashrus, or your honesty.
The problem is that instead of basing itself on what Orthodox Judaism actually is, as taught by Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim, the quiz appears to be based on some late 20th century idea of what Orthodox Judaism represents. And as readers of my blog know, late 20th century Orthodox Judaism, as it is represented by far too many Jews, tends to have much more in common with Bible-belt Christianity than it does with the authentic teachings of Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim.
Some examples, from the quiz:
What are the origins of the physical universe and life on earth? Choose one.
The correct answer is: "As in the book of Genesis, but "day" is not 24 hours, possibly refers to thousands (or even millions) of years, or to creation phases." But I expect the quiz penalized me for choosing it. I expect the quiz imagines Orthodox Jews take the bible's creation account literally, and gave a higher "Orthodox Jewish" score to those who chose that option.
What happens to humans after death?
I chose: "There is definitely an afterlife, but the specifics cannot be known or are unimportant--most important is one's conduct in life," an intellectually honest position given the multiplicity of opinions expressed by Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim. I bet the quiz expected something more concrete from an "Orthodox Jew, " because in the 20th century, "uncertainty" is rarely accepted as an "Orthodox" position, yet on the question of life after death, that is exactly what the disagreements among Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim have produced.
Choose ALL statements below that represent your beliefs.
1. Adhere strictly to the rites, practices, precepts, commandments, prohibitions, laws, sacraments, or ordinances of the faith to be rewarded after life.
2. All, even the wicked, are rewarded after life (e.g., go to heaven, merge with God) as God(s) is infinitely good and forgiving.
3. Extinguish all cravings, attachments, and ignorance, or rid oneself of all impurities, to become fully enlightened.
4. Learn all life's lessons through rebirths.
5. Realize your true nature as purely spirit (or soul) and not body, as one with the Absolute, Universal Soul.
6. Live very simply; renounce worldly goals and possessions.
7. Tap the power of the Ultimate (God, or the divine) through intercessory methods such as psychics, channeling, tarot cards, crystals, magic.
Choices 4, 5 and 7 aren't remotely Jewish. Choices 3 and 6 are consistant with Judaism, but aren't how I live. Choice 1 is obviousl Jewish, but so is choice 2: At the end of Chagiga, Reish Lakish tells us "The fires of hell do not harm the sinners of Israel;" and in Pirkei Avos we learn, "All Israel have a share in the World to Come, as it is stated:"And your people are all righteous; they shall inherit the Land forever. [They are] the branch of My planting, the work of My hands in which to take pride." I wonder if the quizmakers were aware that Orthodox Judaism is, in fact, so forgiving?
Elective abortion should be accepted (not proclaimed or treated as immoral).
Agree. Disagaee. Not Applicable.
This was tricky and a poorly worded question. It's a tremendous oversimplification to say that the Torah considers abortion to be murder, as a number of fundamental issues are the subject of dispute. The Achronim don't agree. Some say (1) it is murder; others say (2) it is murder, but a Jew who kills a fetus is not liable for capital punishment; still others say (3) it isn't murder, but forbidden only on the grounds that it causes a deliberate injury to the mother. Additionally, these opinions depend on the phase of the pregnancy, and on the circumstances of the pregnancy and the welfare of the other. Many poskim permit abortion in the case of rape. The Christian may see this as a black and white issue. For the Torah Jew, it's very grey. I don't think late term elective abortions should be permitted, but I can't object to an abortion -done for any reason - within the first thirty days.
Homosexual behavior should be regarded as immoral or out of harmony.
Agree. Disagaee. Not Applicable.
Another badly worded question. In the end, I chose diagree, because I don't recognize "immoral" or "out of harmony" as religious categories. In Judaism some acts are permitted; others are forbidden. Homosexual behavior is forbidden, but immoral? Only if you think eating an ant, or cheating at business is immoral, because the Torah describes all three acts (ant eating, sodomy, and business cheating) in exactly the same terms.
----
So, at the end of the day, what is Orthodox Judaism? Is it what Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim said it was? Or is it what 20th century Orthodox Jews, in their rush to keep up with the Christians, imagine it is?
Tough questions, to be sure.
Here are my results:
1. Reform Judaism (100%)
2. Orthodox Judaism (93%)
3. Sikhism (86%)
4. Liberal Quakers (84%)
5. Islam (82%)
6. Bahá'í Faith (81%)
7. Unitarian Universalism (76%)
8. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (68%)
9. Jainism (61%)
10. Orthodox Quaker (60%)
[...]
19. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (43%)
20. Seventh Day Adventist (39%)
21. Eastern Orthodox (37%)
22. Roman Catholic (37%)
The quiz is deeply flawed, so flawed in fact that if you managed to score at 100 percent for Orthodox Judaism I'd question your kashrus, or your honesty.
The problem is that instead of basing itself on what Orthodox Judaism actually is, as taught by Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim, the quiz appears to be based on some late 20th century idea of what Orthodox Judaism represents. And as readers of my blog know, late 20th century Orthodox Judaism, as it is represented by far too many Jews, tends to have much more in common with Bible-belt Christianity than it does with the authentic teachings of Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim.
Some examples, from the quiz:
What are the origins of the physical universe and life on earth? Choose one.
The correct answer is: "As in the book of Genesis, but "day" is not 24 hours, possibly refers to thousands (or even millions) of years, or to creation phases." But I expect the quiz penalized me for choosing it. I expect the quiz imagines Orthodox Jews take the bible's creation account literally, and gave a higher "Orthodox Jewish" score to those who chose that option.
What happens to humans after death?
I chose: "There is definitely an afterlife, but the specifics cannot be known or are unimportant--most important is one's conduct in life," an intellectually honest position given the multiplicity of opinions expressed by Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim. I bet the quiz expected something more concrete from an "Orthodox Jew, " because in the 20th century, "uncertainty" is rarely accepted as an "Orthodox" position, yet on the question of life after death, that is exactly what the disagreements among Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim have produced.
Choose ALL statements below that represent your beliefs.
1. Adhere strictly to the rites, practices, precepts, commandments, prohibitions, laws, sacraments, or ordinances of the faith to be rewarded after life.
2. All, even the wicked, are rewarded after life (e.g., go to heaven, merge with God) as God(s) is infinitely good and forgiving.
3. Extinguish all cravings, attachments, and ignorance, or rid oneself of all impurities, to become fully enlightened.
4. Learn all life's lessons through rebirths.
5. Realize your true nature as purely spirit (or soul) and not body, as one with the Absolute, Universal Soul.
6. Live very simply; renounce worldly goals and possessions.
7. Tap the power of the Ultimate (God, or the divine) through intercessory methods such as psychics, channeling, tarot cards, crystals, magic.
Choices 4, 5 and 7 aren't remotely Jewish. Choices 3 and 6 are consistant with Judaism, but aren't how I live. Choice 1 is obviousl Jewish, but so is choice 2: At the end of Chagiga, Reish Lakish tells us "The fires of hell do not harm the sinners of Israel;" and in Pirkei Avos we learn, "All Israel have a share in the World to Come, as it is stated:"And your people are all righteous; they shall inherit the Land forever. [They are] the branch of My planting, the work of My hands in which to take pride." I wonder if the quizmakers were aware that Orthodox Judaism is, in fact, so forgiving?
Elective abortion should be accepted (not proclaimed or treated as immoral).
Agree. Disagaee. Not Applicable.
This was tricky and a poorly worded question. It's a tremendous oversimplification to say that the Torah considers abortion to be murder, as a number of fundamental issues are the subject of dispute. The Achronim don't agree. Some say (1) it is murder; others say (2) it is murder, but a Jew who kills a fetus is not liable for capital punishment; still others say (3) it isn't murder, but forbidden only on the grounds that it causes a deliberate injury to the mother. Additionally, these opinions depend on the phase of the pregnancy, and on the circumstances of the pregnancy and the welfare of the other. Many poskim permit abortion in the case of rape. The Christian may see this as a black and white issue. For the Torah Jew, it's very grey. I don't think late term elective abortions should be permitted, but I can't object to an abortion -done for any reason - within the first thirty days.
Homosexual behavior should be regarded as immoral or out of harmony.
Agree. Disagaee. Not Applicable.
Another badly worded question. In the end, I chose diagree, because I don't recognize "immoral" or "out of harmony" as religious categories. In Judaism some acts are permitted; others are forbidden. Homosexual behavior is forbidden, but immoral? Only if you think eating an ant, or cheating at business is immoral, because the Torah describes all three acts (ant eating, sodomy, and business cheating) in exactly the same terms.
----
So, at the end of the day, what is Orthodox Judaism? Is it what Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim said it was? Or is it what 20th century Orthodox Jews, in their rush to keep up with the Christians, imagine it is?
Tough questions, to be sure.
Monday, September 12, 2005
What's a six letter word meaning "thick-witted," starting with "C"?
"Coburn"
Tom Coburn (R-OK) let's himself get caught doing the crossword puzzle during the Roberts confirmation hearing.
Do what DovBear says:
Mar Gavriel wants to know: The Democratic primary is on Tuesday. And I haven't been following the candidates.
Readers from New York: For whom should I vote?!! Help!
Easy. Anthony Wiener. He's the only one of the bunch of Democratic tweedle-dees who could plausibly said to be untainted by the machines. Ferrer is a product of the Bronx machine; Fields comes to us by way of the Manhatten machine; and Miller is the current City Council speaker. DovBear doesn't like political machines (they run like shteebles) and he urges you not to support machine candidates.
In the general election, DovBear endorses Michael Bloomberg. Aside from his stupid idea for a West Side Stadium, an idea that blessedly is dead, Bloomie's been a fine mayor. He's also a liberal, too liberal to pass for a Republican west of Ninth Avenue anyway
Readers from New York: For whom should I vote?!! Help!
Easy. Anthony Wiener. He's the only one of the bunch of Democratic tweedle-dees who could plausibly said to be untainted by the machines. Ferrer is a product of the Bronx machine; Fields comes to us by way of the Manhatten machine; and Miller is the current City Council speaker. DovBear doesn't like political machines (they run like shteebles) and he urges you not to support machine candidates.
In the general election, DovBear endorses Michael Bloomberg. Aside from his stupid idea for a West Side Stadium, an idea that blessedly is dead, Bloomie's been a fine mayor. He's also a liberal, too liberal to pass for a Republican west of Ninth Avenue anyway
You can't fire me. I quit!
Drownie resigns as FEMA head.
... and walks straight into a high paying lobbyist job, no doubt. I can hear him already: "FEMA contracts! Get your FEMA contracts. Plump juicy FEMA contracts!"
NEW: From now on, all horrible mistakes will be called "eating a brownie," as in "DovBear sure ate a brownie when he let Amshinover guest-blog."
... and walks straight into a high paying lobbyist job, no doubt. I can hear him already: "FEMA contracts! Get your FEMA contracts. Plump juicy FEMA contracts!"
NEW: From now on, all horrible mistakes will be called "eating a brownie," as in "DovBear sure ate a brownie when he let Amshinover guest-blog."
Rescued
Report:
And, I can't beleive Lazer hasn't already explained why 25 rescued Torahs prove moshiach will be here by lunch time. The old guy's slipping.
Anyway, bloggers, put on your thinking caps: I want to know how twenty-five rescued NOLA Torahs relate to Gush Katif. There has to be a reason, right Sulton and Shragie?
Twenty-five Torah scrolls in New Orleans, Louisiana synagogues escaped damage despite Katrina hurricane flood waters that partially submerged several synagogues.How is that possible? Were the arks waterproof?
Leaders of the Jewish community of Baton Rouge, the capital of the Louisiana, traveled to New Orleans to save the scrolls and were surprised to discover they had not been damaged. The scrolls and sacred books were transferred to the Bet Shalom (House of Peace) synagogue in Baton Rouge.
And, I can't beleive Lazer hasn't already explained why 25 rescued Torahs prove moshiach will be here by lunch time. The old guy's slipping.
Anyway, bloggers, put on your thinking caps: I want to know how twenty-five rescued NOLA Torahs relate to Gush Katif. There has to be a reason, right Sulton and Shragie?
Results of a local poll
Two days ago, I asked the guys I drink with the following question:
Is the Torah we have today the same Torah God gave to Moshe on Har Sinai?
First guy: No way
Second guy: No way
Third guy: Of course
Said the third guy (angrily) when I repeated all the proofs to the contrary, "I came here to drink. Not to get philosophical."
Don't know about you, but I'm only philosophical when I'm drinking.
Is the Torah we have today the same Torah God gave to Moshe on Har Sinai?
First guy: No way
Second guy: No way
Third guy: Of course
Said the third guy (angrily) when I repeated all the proofs to the contrary, "I came here to drink. Not to get philosophical."
Don't know about you, but I'm only philosophical when I'm drinking.
In a perfect world
Mike Brown's next job:
The sale of tiger parts is illegal in China and officers shut down the restaurant, only to be told by owner, Ma Shikun, that the meat was actually that of donkeys, flavored with tiger urine to give the dish a "special" tang, the newspaper said.[Source]
The report didn't say how the urine was obtained.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Court allows "dirty bomb" suspect to be held
Judge Michael Luttig:
1) The administration hasn't proved that Padillia is associated with al Queda. He's been imprisoned on the government's say so: no charges have been filed , and Padillia still have not been given the opportunity to defend himself in court.
2) There's no good reason to deny Padillia an indictment and a trial. He's an American citizen.
3) Michael Luttig should have recused himself from this case. He's on everyone's short list to get O'Conners seat. Can we really expect him to be able to evaluate the president's authority without prejudice?
4) If they can do it to Padilla, they can do it to you.
"The exceedingly important question before us is whether the President of the United States possesses the authority to detain militarily a citizen of this country [Jose Padillia]who is closely associated with al Qaeda, an entity with which the United States is at war. We conclude that the President does possess such authority."I think it's time to recognize the following things.
1) The administration hasn't proved that Padillia is associated with al Queda. He's been imprisoned on the government's say so: no charges have been filed , and Padillia still have not been given the opportunity to defend himself in court.
2) There's no good reason to deny Padillia an indictment and a trial. He's an American citizen.
3) Michael Luttig should have recused himself from this case. He's on everyone's short list to get O'Conners seat. Can we really expect him to be able to evaluate the president's authority without prejudice?
4) If they can do it to Padilla, they can do it to you.
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