[net.religion.jewish] New Renaissance Movement

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.