Comments on: Ethical Monotheist Leader Rebukes The Orthodox http://kvetcher.net/2008/09/1518/ethical-monotheist-leader-rebukes-the-orthodox/ kvetch \KVECH\, intransitive verb: To complain habitually. noun: 1. A complaint 2. A habitual complainer. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:43:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jeff Eyges http://kvetcher.net/2008/09/1518/ethical-monotheist-leader-rebukes-the-orthodox/comment-page-1/#comment-7702 Jeff Eyges Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:59:53 +0000 http://kvetcher.net/?p=1518#comment-7702 Shaul Magid brought up a related point in that article in which he quoted you and Shmarya - the Modern Orthodox seem to regard Hareidism as "authentic" Judaism (even if they do so subconsciously), and communicate this message subliminally to their children, who then go to Israel, become affiliated with organizations like OS and Aish, and become Hareidim themselves. I'm not surprised that they are unwilling to criticize. I've seen the same phenomenon among evangelicals. There are progressives among them, and they are often appalled by the fundamentalists, but they're limited in their willingness to criticize them publicly. There's a sense of "us" vs. "them". You're right, David. The MO see the Hareidim as one of their own - something we will never be. I was also brought up to see social progress as an integral part of Judaism - but this will simply never be as important to them as is kashrus. And, yes, this affects the way in which Liberal Jews view traditional mitzvot, such as kashrus - but who cares what a bunch of Jewish goyim think? Shaul Magid brought up a related point in that article in which he quoted you and Shmarya – the Modern Orthodox seem to regard Hareidism as “authentic” Judaism (even if they do so subconsciously), and communicate this message subliminally to their children, who then go to Israel, become affiliated with organizations like OS and Aish, and become Hareidim themselves. I’m not surprised that they are unwilling to criticize.

I’ve seen the same phenomenon among evangelicals. There are progressives among them, and they are often appalled by the fundamentalists, but they’re limited in their willingness to criticize them publicly. There’s a sense of “us” vs. “them”.

You’re right, David. The MO see the Hareidim as one of their own – something we will never be. I was also brought up to see social progress as an integral part of Judaism – but this will simply never be as important to them as is kashrus. And, yes, this affects the way in which Liberal Jews view traditional mitzvot, such as kashrus – but who cares what a bunch of Jewish goyim think?

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