ken@hp-pcd.UUCP (ken) (05/07/85)
Have you had any experiences with what is being called "New Renaissance Judaism"? I attended a pot-luck shabbot dinner/service led by a rabbi from a nearby moshav. I would typify the evening best by relating it to similar experiences I had while chanting in sweat-lodges during the hippie era. The evening was a real boost for me! I have slowly been losing my distaste for the conventional reform upbringing that I found utterly shallow. I experienced this weekend only shortly after reading the April issue of Yoga Journal (that's right) devoted to the "New Renaissance Judaism'. They spoke much of people like Shlomo Carlebach; and of works like the Kabbalah and the Zohar. Then I had the forutne of seeing 'The Traveling Jewish Theatre'. Is this only happening to me? Do you care to share your thoughts or feelings about this 'movement'? 'When the student is ready, the teacher will appear' Ken Bronstein hp-pcd!ken
faust@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mitch Faust) (05/10/85)
> Have you had any experiences with what is being called "New > Renaissance Judaism"? > > Is this only happening to me? Do you care to share your thoughts or > feelings about this 'movement'? I think what you are calling "New Renaissance Judaism" is simular to the Havora movement (or something close to that spelling). A Havora group is a group of people who get together for various celebrations, shabbat services and prehaps dinner afterwards; outside of a formal synagouge setting. Although I personally do not belong to one, I feel that this is the type of "Jewish Experience" that I want. Not to offend any rabbi's out there but I an sick and tired of just being a observer during services, I want to participate and learn. These new movements weather or not they are sponsored by an organized movement or not (ie. reform) offer just that. Enough said for now....Any comments? _____________________________________________________________________________ Mitchell Faust (yes there is a jew named Faust!)
wkp@lanl.ARPA (05/12/85)
> Have you had any experiences with what is being called "New > Renaissance Judaism"? > > I experienced this weekend only shortly after reading the April issue > of Yoga Journal (that's right) devoted to the "New Renaissance > Judaism'. They spoke much of people like Shlomo Carlebach; and of > works like the Kabbalah and the Zohar. > Ken Bronstein As far as I can tell, Shlomo Carlebach is a good Jew, and a deeply committed rabbi. Many zealous frummies have a distaste for him since he leans toward the gentle and peaceful side of Judaism as opposed to the legalistic and intolerant side. So be forewarned about their opinions. If Shlomo gives you a "real boost", that's great! On the other hand, I must warn you about taking the Zohar and the Kabbala too seriously. I myself view those two works in the same way I view the astrology or witchcraft sections of the Talmud: as *avodah zarah*. Rambam, in his Mishna Torah, viewed the astrological/magical/etc. parts of the Talmud as "all lie and falsehood...it is unseemly that Jews, who are intelligent and wise, should be drawn to such nonsense, or should believe they are effective." [Hilchot Avodat Kohavim, Ch. 11]. It is not surprising that Yogis and/or Hindus are drawn to the Zohar. There are many close parallels between the two. I generally refuse to quote anything from the Zohar, but I will this time just to demonstrate my point: Of the ten sfirot in the Zohar, the second (the Father) and the third (the Mother) have a most interesting union: When the seed of the Father is about to ejaculate, it does not have to seek the Mother, for She is with Him and is always in readiness for Him. His seed does not flow unless She is ready, and when they desire one another. Then they unite in a single embrace, and never separate. [Zohar 1:162a-b] When the Mother became pregnant with a child, the child is androgenous and is called the "Son and Daughter"; but the Son and Daughter soon split, and have their own "erotic" life. Note the similarity between this and the Hindu legend of the union between Purusa and Prakriti whose product was Shiva manifested as Ardhanarishvara. Another mythological similarity is the almost-incestuous love between the Father and his Daughter (Shekina Matronit) whom He constantly kisses and fondles. The Hindu equivalent is the love between Prajapati and his dauther, the Goddess of the Dawn. At any rate, reading the Zohar is sometimes entertaining in a sexual sense. Consider the following: She (the Matronit)...went back to her couch to await the coming of the Groom...Alone, the Father and Her embraced and kissed, and He then led her to the couch. He placed his left arm under her head, his right arm embraced her, and He let Her enjoy His strength. The pleasure...was indescribable. They lay in tight embrace... He playing between Her breasts....etc.,etc. [Zohar Hadash, Midrash HaNe'elam] A good introduction to these comparisons can be found in some of the books of the Israeli theologian Rafael Patai. If these kind of stories turn you on, that's fine. I think I prefer going to baseball games. -- bill peter ihnp4!lanl!wkp and not in his tendency to worship false gods. -- bill peter ihnp4!lanl!wkp
teitz@aecom.UUCP (Eliyahu Teitz) (05/14/85)
> > Although I personally do not belong to one, I feel that this is the type of > "Jewish Experience" that I want. Not to offend any rabbi's out there but I > an sick and tired of just being a observer during services, I want to > participate and learn. These new movements weather or not they are sponsored > by an organized movement or not (ie. reform) offer just that. > > Enough said for now....Any comments? Maybe the problem is that there is no education in the groups you are involved in. Jewish education is a must in order to see the beauty of Judaism; otherwise it is just a bunch of rituals and prohibitions. Maybe you should look into education classes where they teach Torah ( from the original ) to gain a perspective of what Judaism is really all about. When you look at it you see it is more that just the pit of hell staring you in the face night and day ready to swallow you if you make a mistake. Many people only get the negative side of /udaism. There are alot of positive aspects to the religion ( and to its strict observance too ). Getting together in an atmosphere of serenity, as I understand the chavurot, is also good, and maybe all some people want. But there is alot more to Judaism than prayer and social gatherings. Eliyahu Teitz.