Recently, a new "wave" of Orthodox Judaism has come to light in my life, something that I know a lot of people are going to take issue with, but is still worth mentioning. I just would like to remind everyone to try and open their minds, as I have always done, and remember- live and let live- no one person, group or community has the right to judge another.
Halachic Orthodoxy is how I grew up. Communities where everyone in it were assumed to be Orthodox by practice, keeping the law to Orthodox standards, and while some may be more strict than others, everyone belongs to one synagogue and is more or less on the same practicing religious level. Recently, however, I've noticed some things in a number of communities throughout the country, that has led me to come up with another category of Orthodoxy- communal Orthodoxy. In communal Orthodoxy, many grew up practicing Halachic Orthodoxy and some haven't, but everyone- whatever level of practicing they uphold- belong in this community. It is an Orthodox community, but everyone has the right to uphold whatever standards of Orthodoxy they may or may not practice.
I know, "if people do this, it's not an Orthodox community". Or, "that's traditional, that's not Orthodox", or, "you can't pick and choose in Orthodox Judaism". And you may be right according to your own personal definitions of Orthodoxy, or your community's definition of Orthodoxy, but there are many people in an increasingly diverse world, that disagree. And there are many community's that are more and more willing to accept people in their doors, even if it's never expected of them to uphold Orthodox practices. There's such a thing as Orthodox values, without upholding every letter of the law, or just wanting to be part of an Orthodox community without necessarily upholding every practice or Halacha that generic Orthodox communities have subscribed to or come to expect from their members.
And I'll tell you why I prefer these "communal" Orthodox communities, and it's not just because they should obviously be more accepting of LGBTQ members. It's because in general, most members of Orthodox communities are not upholding every letter of the law- but instead they go to synagogue and interact with so many others on the most superficial of levels, just pretending that they're all the same level of practicing Orthodox Jews. Instead, in some newer communities, I find that no one assumes anything about their friends, no one has the right to judge, and everyone is open to everyone else. Regardless of what specific laws they may or may not keep.
Halachic Orthodoxy is how I grew up. Communities where everyone in it were assumed to be Orthodox by practice, keeping the law to Orthodox standards, and while some may be more strict than others, everyone belongs to one synagogue and is more or less on the same practicing religious level. Recently, however, I've noticed some things in a number of communities throughout the country, that has led me to come up with another category of Orthodoxy- communal Orthodoxy. In communal Orthodoxy, many grew up practicing Halachic Orthodoxy and some haven't, but everyone- whatever level of practicing they uphold- belong in this community. It is an Orthodox community, but everyone has the right to uphold whatever standards of Orthodoxy they may or may not practice.
I know, "if people do this, it's not an Orthodox community". Or, "that's traditional, that's not Orthodox", or, "you can't pick and choose in Orthodox Judaism". And you may be right according to your own personal definitions of Orthodoxy, or your community's definition of Orthodoxy, but there are many people in an increasingly diverse world, that disagree. And there are many community's that are more and more willing to accept people in their doors, even if it's never expected of them to uphold Orthodox practices. There's such a thing as Orthodox values, without upholding every letter of the law, or just wanting to be part of an Orthodox community without necessarily upholding every practice or Halacha that generic Orthodox communities have subscribed to or come to expect from their members.
And I'll tell you why I prefer these "communal" Orthodox communities, and it's not just because they should obviously be more accepting of LGBTQ members. It's because in general, most members of Orthodox communities are not upholding every letter of the law- but instead they go to synagogue and interact with so many others on the most superficial of levels, just pretending that they're all the same level of practicing Orthodox Jews. Instead, in some newer communities, I find that no one assumes anything about their friends, no one has the right to judge, and everyone is open to everyone else. Regardless of what specific laws they may or may not keep.
You are simply describing Orthopraxy, which is nothing new. The only difference between reality and what you are writing here, is that generally ones personal beliefs or their practices outside the public realm aren't know so they are not ostracized and remain apart of the "community."
ReplyDeleteEither way, the point of your last paragraph stands alone without any other support needed.
I couldn't agree more. But then again, I feel like I grew up in such a community.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this post as it touches an issue that has always bothered me. I have always felt ambivalent about the "Communal Orthodox Jew". On the one hand, I laud their commitment to Judaism--going to shul on shabbos even if it means not davening. On the other hand, it is generally these people who instead of sitting quietly contemplating the importance of prayer (while not praying themselves),are chatting with their friend, disturbing others with their nonchalant attitude and at times cynical mockery of Judaism.
ReplyDeleteThat is not to say that I have not been that Communal Jew--I have.(I am leaving out "Orthodox" because I feel that at those moments when I am acting in the way you mentioned in your post,I cannot categorize myself as Orthodox). But, the whole issue bothers me.
Specifically what part of these types picking and choosing, yet open minded community is orthodox?
ReplyDeleteHill-
ReplyDeleteAt the very least, the part that is Orthodox is the belief system. A big part of Orthodoxy IS the belief system- the 13 Ikarim, or Principles of Faith. A person can be someone who adheres to these principles- the belief in God, that God is one, that He wrote the Torah, etc- and still not have a desire to follow all the mitzvot, for whatever reason.
I think this post serves as complete hypocrisy to the general purpose of the blog. You claim to want acceptance but by categorizing people into boxes you yourself are denying them the same thing. You don't want to just be seen as a member of the LGBTQ community but you seek to place those who are practicing Orthodoxy, within their own comfort levels, in a box of what they should and should not be doing without any regard for the individual within that community. I think that what these communities seek to solve is the acceptance of individuality (which is not a universal communal bylaw). But to write that they observe superficially without any intimate knowledge of their individual lives and practices is an empty comment and one without merit. Furthermore, you judge "halachic" orthodox communities without any regard for one the most important principles of Judaism, sheviim panim letorah (there are seventy faces to the torah). Halacha is subject to interpretation, specifically within an individuals practice. This article is in itself close minded, and not being open minded to the fact that people are allowed to be exclusive, and to want to practice Judaism to their own level. Separating these communities is creating a further divide in and already split Jewish world. Instead of lauding one community while degrading another, take a closer look at the everyday behaviors of the individuals and then proceed to continue on your way, open minded and non-judgemental, just as you want people to be for you.
ReplyDeleteBasically, the only point of religion from these communal orthodox communities is to have social and extrinsic beliefs met and fulfilled. There is nothing intrinsically Jewish about these communities if all they care about is getting together, socializing, making friends, creating solidarity, without the laws of Judaism itself driving that. Might as well find a group of friends who think like you and you can click with and then call that a religion.
ReplyDeleteFollowing Halacha by upholding the Written and Oral Torah is what a Jew does. That is the definition of a Jew. A community that is based off these principles is a Jewish community. I am sick of the labels. Orthodoxy anyways is a label we have to use thanks to the insurgence of Reform and Conservative Judaism.
Ely, a Jew follows the Torah. It is that simple. The Torah says not to judge others. You should be seeking proper Jewish communities for your Jewish identity. Not communities that negate Halacha because that means they a negating something about Judaism too. Nor should you seek communities that don't judge you favorably, cause that is not properly Jewish either.
Here is your real problem though: Proper Jewish communities today are rare to find.
" ....live and let live- no one person, group or community has the right to judge another"
ReplyDeleteIt's good you put that out there, as a preface for later statement-
"It's because in general, most members of Orthodox communities are not upholding every letter of the law- but instead they go to synagogue and interact with so many others on the most superficial of levels, just pretending that they're all the same level of practicing Orthodox Jews."
When you write things like this it's difficult to support you.
"There's such a thing as Orthodox values, without upholding every letter of the law, or just wanting to be part of an Orthodox community without necessarily upholding every practice or Halacha that generic Orthodox communities have subscribed to or come to expect from their members."
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that there are indeed orthodox values that are not tied to orthodox practices.
I would like to ask: Do you think this type of Judaism can and will be sustained for many generations to come? Can it last?
"most members of Orthodox communities are not upholding every letter of the law- but instead they go to synagogue and interact with so many others on the most superficial of levels, just pretending that they're all the same level of practicing Orthodox Jews."
ReplyDeleteIs it such a bad thing that people don't publicize the areas of their religous lives where they aren't at the level they'd like to be, or the level that is congruent with Halacka?
I am going to chalk it up to the fact that you're young and still learning about the world. Before the Internet world blossomed, most folks had a privacy about their lives that just doesn't exist today. You've chosen to put your life on the Internet and share some of your most intimate struggles with sexuality, Torah, and connecting with others.
There's a fine line between pretending and keeping things private, and I think that in the domain you're referring to it is perfectly understanding why people may uphold certain images. You're entitled to tell the world about your problems and areas that you feel inadequate, but don't disrespect people who choose not to publicize their struggles.
I've noticed that as soon as you leave the NY / Northern NJ area, people in Orthodox shuls tend to be more open-minded and accepting of members with more lax practices. I think part of the reason is that since there are fewer shul options outside of NYC, everyone just flocks to the nearest shul in their community, whether the person is completely observant or semi-observant, and the diversity in the shul encourages an attitude of acceptance.
ReplyDeleteI live in Philly now, and the community in center city is wonderful. There is only one ashkenaz Orthodox shul, so we get an amazing variety of observance levels within the Ortho community, and no one judges anyone. In fact, some people bounce back and forth between the Orthodox shul and the Conservative one, and still call themselves Orthodox... and no one minds at all.
In contrast, I used to live in NYC, and before that, Teaneck, where everyone would simply go to the shul that most resembled their own specific religious practices, and everyone looked and acted exactly the same. I definitely prefer having some variety in my shul.
-Susie (yes, the one you know) (although I suppose you may know more than one)
I couldn't agree with you more Ely. Thank you for speaking up to say something that is on a lot of people's minds in a public forum. I never really understood why Judaism can't be a "pick-and-choose religion", (besides the fact that it really is but most orthodox people deny it). I'd like to believe that I take all the good that I can from the Judaism that I grew up with and leave the rest. Why should I feel resentful of having the other parts weigh me down? We have to recognize that the halachic system was developed in an era that's long gone and maybe it is out of date. I see no reason why we can't still embrace and celebrate our tradition and thus be a light unto the nations.
ReplyDeleteDana likes! Great post Wink
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