Big Kiruv’s Fatal Flaw

June 28, 2009   Uncategorized  

by DK

5 comments

1 Garnel Ironheart { 06.29.09 at 10:22 am }

Eh. Not such a good article.
The real problem with Big Kiruv is that Judaism and especially the Torah observance part of it is very personal, based on a one-on-one relationship with God. Attempts to fill a room with people and tell them that to be a good Jew means to dress a certain way, talk a certain way and think a certain way works against that.

2 DK { 06.29.09 at 10:41 am }

Garnel, how are we disagreeing, exactly?

3 Jeff Eyges { 06.29.09 at 10:42 am }

Garnel, I’d disagree. The history of Judaism can be seen as a relationship involving God and a community, but a “very personal… one-on-one” relationship is a Christian idea – unless you’re getting into Kabbalah territory, and not everyone goes there (and it’s largely nondualistic, anyway).

4 Garnel Ironheart { 06.29.09 at 2:52 pm }

I disagree, Jeff. There is a community relationship, to be sure, but the personal is also important. For example, the whole concept of the minyan. Only by including myself in the group can I improve my chances of my prayer being heard but while davening I have to feel a personal connection to the One I am davening too. Much of the Rav’s works revolve around the duality of having a personal relationship with God at the same time as being part of the community and relating as a member instead of an individual

So let me ask you, DK, what’s your opinion on Little Kiruv, you know, frum people making friends and influencing based on that?

5 Jeff Eyges { 06.29.09 at 4:35 pm }

You’d probably have Buber on your side as well. I still disagree. It’s a modern/postmodern invention – even for the Christians.

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