The Quest?
It would seem to me that one of the problems with pick and choose liberal interpretations of Judaism is that while the more responsible members do recognize the difference between mitzvoth and traditions, they don’t seem particularly bound by those differences.
On Jewcy, Jon Papernick decided try wearing a kippah for two weeks, and explained,
Wearing a kippah seemed an appropriate place to start. Growing up Reform, I’d never covered my head at services. In fact, I found the idea of placing an itchy cloth disc on my head so embarrassing that I didn’t even wear one at my wedding. But if I was faintly ashamed to announce my Jewishness with a kippah, then how could I become a Perfect Jew?
Perfect? In this world? Why not start with practicing? Maybe start with keeping kosher or shabbes? Or if you want to wear something, why not Tzitzis?
No. That’s too obvious for Papernick. And it won’t be the next step either. Rather,
“The next quest: Ritual purification in a mikveh.”
Great. Cause that’s a big one for Jewish men. What Jewish man is complete without the mikveh?
Oy gevalt. Can’t we find any meaning in the main course of Judaism instead of the trappings and the stuff that isn’t really all that intrinsic? Are we so removed from Judaism that the only way we can appreciate it is by turning it on its head?
4 comments
He should read Failed Messiah before going to the mikveh. I swear I’ll never be able to think of those places again without having a sickening feeling.
Dk, Your post is so true. Perhaps you should devote another post or two about it.
N
I was thinking of posting on Papernick’s piece, but with a different emphasis. I think he missed the boat, but not because he chose minhag instead of mitvah. He alludes to the importance of education, but does not realize that study is the crux of Judaism. That the primary Jewish act is engaging with the texts in study. I know someone will tell me that the primary act is the mitzvot, but we wouldn’t know how/which mitzvot without rabbinic literature and we wouldn’t be able to discern their meaning without study. So at the basis of his quest to be a “Good Jew” (and you know how I feel about that terminology) should be a quest for a good Jewish education.
Cant we find any meaning in the main course of Judaism instead of the trappings and the stuff that isnt really all that intrinsic?
No.
Are we so removed from Judaism that the only way we can appreciate it is by turning it on its head?
Yes.
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