Let us not Kill the Message: The Power of Torah
As many of you have read, or experienced from the posts below, there was much heated discussion about what it means to be a good, and not so goodJew. Through-out all of this banter, comments, hurls of insults, support, and crying, I have actually learned a valuable lesson here.
When I originally went to those blogs to which I speak, I was puzzled, with a feeling of loss over the contradictions I saw expressed in blogville. Here were my own people, professing to be strict interpreters of the Torah, and following their commandments and prohibitions, yet speaking candidly and frankly aboutintimate details of sex and their private lives. This is something, mind you, that they would not ever consider doing in their homes or on their streets. It made me wonder, not so much what kind of Jew I was, but what kind of Jew these individuals were, and the examples they were setting.
Some may judge and condemn me for not being more religious or observant, and I began to wonder myself if this was not something that I should investigate as I am becoming closer to God all of the time. But what kind of an example is this with people talking about sex and private stuff, and not Torah.
In the end, I do believe that the power of God and Torah are stronger than can be put into words for these reasons. The very powers whom I were fighting against, stayed their course, mean, nasty and sex crazed, but what emerged victorious, with the message of the Torah and its teachings through the mouths of those humble Jews who came forward to offer true mitzvot through their words and deeds.
As indicated, I will not ever turn against my own people, whom I love with a deep passion. But in many ways, through their words, deeds and actions, they have made a bigger transgression, which is that they have turned against the very laws of the Torah that they so righteously defend and profess to love.
Thank you for your minds.
When I originally went to those blogs to which I speak, I was puzzled, with a feeling of loss over the contradictions I saw expressed in blogville. Here were my own people, professing to be strict interpreters of the Torah, and following their commandments and prohibitions, yet speaking candidly and frankly aboutintimate details of sex and their private lives. This is something, mind you, that they would not ever consider doing in their homes or on their streets. It made me wonder, not so much what kind of Jew I was, but what kind of Jew these individuals were, and the examples they were setting.
Some may judge and condemn me for not being more religious or observant, and I began to wonder myself if this was not something that I should investigate as I am becoming closer to God all of the time. But what kind of an example is this with people talking about sex and private stuff, and not Torah.
In the end, I do believe that the power of God and Torah are stronger than can be put into words for these reasons. The very powers whom I were fighting against, stayed their course, mean, nasty and sex crazed, but what emerged victorious, with the message of the Torah and its teachings through the mouths of those humble Jews who came forward to offer true mitzvot through their words and deeds.
As indicated, I will not ever turn against my own people, whom I love with a deep passion. But in many ways, through their words, deeds and actions, they have made a bigger transgression, which is that they have turned against the very laws of the Torah that they so righteously defend and profess to love.
Thank you for your minds.
12 Comments:
keep pushing the issue your the victim arent you?
I think that this is a very genuine, thoughtful post. If these are the circumstances, it saddens me to see that the issues that the Jewish community faces are the same issues that all other religious communities face.
It could be hypocrisy, or the eternal struggle of sin nature vs. self control. From the post that Thekvetcher made, I assume it's more likely hypocrisy.
I blog in here regularly, but this guy seems pretty nasty so I'll sign this anonymously this time (which is rare for me). I don't need a 'troll' targeting me next.
Barbara I know you to be a good and honest person. I am worried about you being the target of some sick thinking people.
You always see the glass half full and not empty and I admire your lesson you learned but be careful of these kinds of dangerous people.
I am a regular poster on the other blogs as well.
((((Barbara))))
Anonymous said...
Barbara I know you to be a good and honest person. I am worried about you being the target of some sick thinking people.
You always see the glass half full and not empty and I admire your lesson you learned but be careful of these kinds of dangerous people.
PLEASE LET'S NOT GENERALIZE HERE. CALLING ALL RELIGIOUS JEWS "dangerous people" IS INTOLERANT IN IT OF ITSELF!!!
EACH GROUP OF PEOPLE IN EVERY RELIGION HAS THEIR BAD APPLES.
LETS NOT GET ANGRY AND UPSET AT ALL THE RELIGIOUS PEOPLE DUE TO THE INSENSITIVITIES OF A FEW.
MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.
GREAT POST BARBARA!!
Good for you for getting something out of all the nastiness!
I didn't realize you were a lawyer... I recommend these books (if you haven't already read them):
"Rabbis and Lawyers: The Journey from Torah to Constitution" by Jerold S. Auerbach
"The Pursuit of Justice and Jewish Law: Halakhic Perspectives on the Legal Profession" by Michael J. Broyde
I already gave them away... now I wish I could send them to you! Oh well.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Hi Barbara,
I think all those posting as anonymous are genuinely scared for you, and so scared, they are considering their own position too.
There are some seriously scary people posting on your site right now.
Be very careful, I am concerned for you.
don't mistake this post as nasty but, jeez, you guys have thins skins in here... if a guy like the kvetcher makes you wet your pants, what will the real world do to you?
Someone once told me being a jew is like fighting everyday butkeeping your eyes closed... I never knew what he meant, maybe now I'm starting to understand
Thoughtful post.
You my want to get a tracking meter; it logs in the IP addresses of the people who visit your site.
If it gets too nasty, you have a trail.
Since I'm not a Jew, I don't really know what you are going through. Obviously it's very unpleasant. You are a good PERSON, and you are a Jew. That can't be a bad thing.
My advice is to live your life the way you see fit, and ignore those who tell you that you are not "jewish" enough (whatever that means). Nothing you do will ever please the ultra orthodox. Even if you join them, you will be fully accepted.
Do not let them upset you. They feed off that.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home