The Rabbi brings up many good points and concepts, and I've learned from this essay. The reason for the following questions posed in the essay don't appear in the Torah: "Why do Jews strictly avoid intermarriage, limit cultural assimilation, and uphold rigorous conversion standards?" Jews of note in the Torah intermarried, assimilated, yet maintained steadfast as Jews and represent as essential figures in Judaism. This is seen most notably in the examples of Moses and Joseph, both intermarried, both assimilated, yet both are central figures and examples of Judaism. As for rigorous conversion standards, where do they appear in the Torah? What chapters, where is it cited? When Ruth followed Naomi after the death of Boaz, she simply said "Your people shall become my people, your G-d my G-d," and she was a Jew. I've always felt the rigourish and judgmental Jewish conversion standards, which I understand began after the destruction of the 2nd Temple, are one major reason there aren't billions of Jews in the world instead of billions of Christians and Muslims, and perhaps one reason we still await moshiach.
In this beginning new phase since Oct 2023, some leaders from the Reform movement have been open to ask "Where did we go wrong". They were reflecting on the Jewish protestors at elite USA universities who were and are outspoken in ways that are virtually advocating for Hamas and the like, while being advocates against security and validity of The State of Israel as an intact Nation. At the same time, the Rabbis / Beth Din's that are overseeing complete Conversion processes are able over recent generations of time i.e. modern times since the 1800's to see where a breach in 'membrane tactics' soon becomes a sequential weakening of the convertee and Family's will power thus undermining the necessary integrity of the Jewish central purpose.
With no intention of being disrespectful to the author, the entire essay is based on the interpretation of the words "Chosen People" by the Bal Shem Tov. In fact, the author admits right from the start that if the words were taken literally, they would indeed be very divisive.
This unfortunately is one of the many issues I have with all religions .... it seems when you take them at face value, they are not only divisive but sexist, homophobic, condoning of slavery, murdering the innocent eg Gods killing of the Egyptian first born and so much other utterly despicable positions.
Personally, the words Chosen People has caused far more pain in the world than good especially for Jews but then again that seems to be the way of religion. Bringing us far more bad than good.
Reminds me of a song written and sung by John Lennon called "Imagine" ..... unlike religious text, when you take it at face value, it is utterly beautiful.
Great essay, but I'm the Ba'al Koreh at my shul and I cannot get past the image of the Sefer Torah at the top. I sure hope someone gets it to a sofer, stat!
Thank you! I'm a fan of Future of Jewish and also read the essays of many Guests. As I was reading... I couldn't believe I was seeing a substack writer who was clearly grounded in Torah (drastically more than I am!!!!). And I was nearly squeaking out a yippee or a bona fide kosher, Jewish Halleluiah. So when I got to the end desperate to see who wrote this essay so I could look them up. Lo and behold:):) 'tis you, Rabbi Menussi who I have recently viewed a dozen or more talks from. I found the 'membrane' metaphor remarkably useful! Regards, Ira
The Rabbi brings up many good points and concepts, and I've learned from this essay. The reason for the following questions posed in the essay don't appear in the Torah: "Why do Jews strictly avoid intermarriage, limit cultural assimilation, and uphold rigorous conversion standards?" Jews of note in the Torah intermarried, assimilated, yet maintained steadfast as Jews and represent as essential figures in Judaism. This is seen most notably in the examples of Moses and Joseph, both intermarried, both assimilated, yet both are central figures and examples of Judaism. As for rigorous conversion standards, where do they appear in the Torah? What chapters, where is it cited? When Ruth followed Naomi after the death of Boaz, she simply said "Your people shall become my people, your G-d my G-d," and she was a Jew. I've always felt the rigourish and judgmental Jewish conversion standards, which I understand began after the destruction of the 2nd Temple, are one major reason there aren't billions of Jews in the world instead of billions of Christians and Muslims, and perhaps one reason we still await moshiach.
In this beginning new phase since Oct 2023, some leaders from the Reform movement have been open to ask "Where did we go wrong". They were reflecting on the Jewish protestors at elite USA universities who were and are outspoken in ways that are virtually advocating for Hamas and the like, while being advocates against security and validity of The State of Israel as an intact Nation. At the same time, the Rabbis / Beth Din's that are overseeing complete Conversion processes are able over recent generations of time i.e. modern times since the 1800's to see where a breach in 'membrane tactics' soon becomes a sequential weakening of the convertee and Family's will power thus undermining the necessary integrity of the Jewish central purpose.
With no intention of being disrespectful to the author, the entire essay is based on the interpretation of the words "Chosen People" by the Bal Shem Tov. In fact, the author admits right from the start that if the words were taken literally, they would indeed be very divisive.
This unfortunately is one of the many issues I have with all religions .... it seems when you take them at face value, they are not only divisive but sexist, homophobic, condoning of slavery, murdering the innocent eg Gods killing of the Egyptian first born and so much other utterly despicable positions.
Personally, the words Chosen People has caused far more pain in the world than good especially for Jews but then again that seems to be the way of religion. Bringing us far more bad than good.
Reminds me of a song written and sung by John Lennon called "Imagine" ..... unlike religious text, when you take it at face value, it is utterly beautiful.
papa j
I see the separation, but I don't see the mutual exchange, because the separation is too great.
Great essay, but I'm the Ba'al Koreh at my shul and I cannot get past the image of the Sefer Torah at the top. I sure hope someone gets it to a sofer, stat!
Thank you! I'm a fan of Future of Jewish and also read the essays of many Guests. As I was reading... I couldn't believe I was seeing a substack writer who was clearly grounded in Torah (drastically more than I am!!!!). And I was nearly squeaking out a yippee or a bona fide kosher, Jewish Halleluiah. So when I got to the end desperate to see who wrote this essay so I could look them up. Lo and behold:):) 'tis you, Rabbi Menussi who I have recently viewed a dozen or more talks from. I found the 'membrane' metaphor remarkably useful! Regards, Ira
G-D wants to “save the ends of the earth”, so He wanted help from Israel to shine His Light there.
Like to see “sweetening” otherwise it feels very much against my life “philosophy” which is against divisiveness.