dsg@mhuxi.UUCP (GREEN) (05/09/84)
[something for the golems and dybbuks to munch] Joe Abeles ( mhuxm!abeles ) posted two articles last month dealing with many issues of importance to the Orthodox Jewish Community. The Article-I.D. of one is mhuxm.103 and references another that was e-mailed to me by Mr. Abeles. I found numerous points worthy of discussion and would like to comment on the first paragraph of the first posting: >Rabbi Greenberg is a Modern Orthodox Jew. To him, a central question con- >fronting Judaism is, "In a world in which we are not powerless, how do >we pray?". This deep question alludes to the fact that Judaism was >successful with and had been well-adapted to life in Eastern Europe, >while in modern times and societies, Orthodoxy has suffered a body blow >in the form of a severe toll taken by assimilation. This questions raises >the issue that in today's scientific society man has the ability to under- >stand better than before the world around him and, as a result, affect >that world to his benefit or detriment. Finally, the question recognizes the >reality that because of a tremendous increase in ou power to determine our >own lives. .... I would like to now ask the "net" for a definition of Orthodoxy and Assimilation. I have my own working construct of what both mean, but that may be too specific, and relevant only to me as a New York born-and-bred 28 year old Orthodox by background and affiliation and "assimilated". Now to my commentary on the above. I do not accept the premise that Orthodoxy was better suited to life in Eastern Europe; the reason is that Judaism was not invented in Eastern Europe but just lived there, for better or worse, for a couple of hundred years. I think that Orthodoxy is a state of mind and independent of time and place. Note that that is my opinion. I also disagree that scientific society assists assimilation. Why was the "Guide for the Perplexed" written, and when was it written? The world wasn't as scientific, in terms of technology then as now, but did the age of reason ( when was that ? ) cause assimilation? As long as you question, and no answers are available will you lose faith. Does one become less observant, less orthodox and more assimilated because of scientific discoveries and current philosophies or because of a lack of teaching and knowledge of one's religion? It seems to me that an Auto-da-fe at the Spanish Inquisition, Pogroms, and the Holocaust would be more powerfull motivators towards assimilation than an American Public or Private (non-parochial) education. Why did the Jewish people survive the various Hamans but are losing to American Society? I do not know the answer. I have had printouts of Joe Abeles' postings on my desk at home since 4/26/84. I've read and re-read them and these are just a few of my thoughts. I certainly have more questions. The bottom line is that if there is any interest in pursuing the topic of Modern Orthodoxy on the net, I will be more than happy to participate as it is not a stale topic for me. If there is sufficient interest, I will re-post, e-mail, or photocopy Joe's originals to anyone who wants them. Shalom, David Seth Green Bell Labs ( HL 77425 ) 201-564-2290 path {most systems}mhuxi!dsg (I apologize for my grammar, spelling, and translations ... what do you expect, I lived in Brooklyn for three years! )