The following are just some thoughts I have had over the past few weeks. They may or may not have any connecting thread, they may or may not make any sense, they may or may not be the slightest bit interesting to anyone but me. Never-the-less, here we go....
What does it say about me as a person and as a rabbi-to-be that I feel like some of my most important insights have come from Tom Robbins and not a Jewish/religious book?
There was a report on haaretz.com (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1027741.html) about yeshivah kids throwing rocks at Magen David Adom (the Israeli version of the Red Cross) stations and paramedics during Yom Kippur, to protest their (MDA's) operating vehicles during the holiday. Aside from the fact that Jewish law clearly allows, and even advocates, the violation of restrictions such as driving on Yom Kippur or Shabbat in order to save a life (pikuach nefesh) how disgusting is it that these kids are using this day, which is meant to be one of reflection and repentance, to intentionally inflict physical harm on those who are working to help the sick and save lives (two of the pinacle values in Jewish tradition). I don't care how 'observant' these kids are or claim to be. I don't care how much Talmud they study or how fervently they pray. To me, they are not Jews. They are just thugs.
I was at a Shabbat lunch a couple of weeks ago and there was an Orthodox woman there who, in the context of a discussion about the various streams of Judaism, said that if she didn't believe the Bible was the word of God, she "wouldn't be doing any of this stuff (religious observance)." I found that kind of sad.
Is it better to do something out of a sense of obligation, or because you have chosen to do so?
Who is going to develop a new system of government for the US, because I don't think ours works anymore.
No one should be denied health care or education because of money.
"Brave New World," "1984" and "Fahrenheit 451" are disturbingly relevent in today's society.
If the Jewish community (at least in America) does not remove the Holocaust and anti-Semitism from the center of our communal identity we are doomed.
I find the idea of assigned seats for High Holiday services distasteful. If you aren't going to show up until two hours into the service, then too fucking bad, sit wherever there are open seats. Let the people who care enough to show up sit towards the front. Oh yeah, and shut up, no one gives a damn about what you have to say. If you are going to talk throughout the whole service either go outside or stay home.
I think it is incredibly symbolic that when walking around Jerusalem it either smells wonderful or like shit.
That's enough for now.
Shabbat Shalom and a good weekend to all.
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1 comment:
A couple of thoughts on your thoughts:
Literature is a completely valid resource for original insight on the human condition.
Inequality in access to education, I believe, is the single greatest negative factor in this country that contributes to: violence, poverty, racism, illiteracy, breakdown of the family, apathy - you name it, I believe inequities in education are to blame. Read Jonathan Kozol's "Savage Inequalities." With that in mind, schools aren't the only place where one can broaden their intellectual horizons, which is why I'm committed to a career in public librarianship (also related to my first thought) - preferably in an urban area.
Rock on Scott - hopefully we can catch up someday.
Peace =)
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