Several months ago Dennis Prager's nationally syndicated radio program was introduced to the Chicago market. I have been listening to his program in utter amazement as he espouses views that seem to coincide with my own, an Orthodox point of view. That he has a handle on the Torah viewpoint is not surprising considering his background. He was brought up in an observant home of which he speaks warmly. And, he often speaks of his experiences in an Orthodox Jewish day school or high school
In fact as an Orthodox Jew it is a matter of great satisfaction and even pride listening to him talk of things Jewish and things religious in such a positive light. His views on relations with our fellow Christian citizens are almost a carbon copy of my own views. Philosophically his rationality in recognizing the contributions of science in matters of the origins of the universe yet recognizing that there is a Creator behind all scientific fact is totally consistent with an enlightened Orthodoxy. And he constantly refers to himself as observant.
Normally I would consider Dennis Prager a great asset and a very positive development favorable to Orthodox Judaism. But is it? Well, let’s take a look. Based on his descriptions of his own behavior, he cannot possibly be defined as observant. It is matter of great discomfort to me to publicly castigate one who seems so positive an influence on American and Jewish values. But to allow him to continue to say he is a religious man and an observant Jew is simply not true. One cannot claim to be religious and observant while publicly admitting that his observance is at best selective and admitting that he explicitly rejects certain religious obligations. That simply does not work in Judaism.
He has stated that his place of worship is a Reform Temple. One cannot belong to a branch of Judaism which as a matter of doctrine rejects the very thing he claims to have. In fact, to claim observance while belonging to a movement, that has historically advocated non-observance is at best hypocritical. That Reform Judaism is now going through a re-examination of whether or not to advocate ritual observance is not relevant. Because even those within Reform Judaism who advocate it do not consider it in any way binding. It is therefore incorrect to call that, observant Judaism.
So, even while I admire him in many respects and am a fan of the show, Dennis Prager may very well be a danger to observant Judaism. Hypocrisy on such a public scale needs to be clearly identified, even if it hurts us in the short run. It isn’t enough to preach religiosity and claim it for yourself while not actually practicing it as defined by the Code of Jewish Law. One cannot simply define observance the way they sees fit. Judaism does not work that way. Observant Judaism is about obligations to God as redacted in the Shulchan Aruch, the Code of Jewish Law. It is not about one’s own version of which obligations to God one chooses and which not, especially a lay person like Mr. Prager.
How can his claim of observance be a danger to Judaism? It is a danger because it will be interpreted incorrectly by vast amounts of people. Observant Judaism is based entirely on the Shulchan Aruch, consisting of rabbinic and biblical dictates passed on through our forefathers, generation after generation going back to the days of Moses. To claim observance while denying the validity of certain laws in Shulchan Aruch is a denial of that heritage entirely and through it Judaism itself. Ultimately it is a desecration of God’s name which needs to be clearly identified.
What makes it worse is that Dennis Prager knows better. He was raised in an Orthodox home and went to Orthodox religious schools that defined observance as following the Shulchan Aruch,, not the pick and choose form of observance that he does.
So, I am both thrilled and saddened to hear this new voice in Chicago. I am glad to hear such a knowledgeable and articulate radio personality with millions of listeners talk so positively of things religious and things Jewish. Most of the time, I feel pride in what he has to say. But then I cringe when he slips in a fact about himself that belies his claim of observance. And he continually identifies himself that way.
Dennis Prager could be a great asset to observant Judaism, were he to be truly observant. Perhaps he actually is anyway because of his positive approach to Torah preached amost daily... I’m just not sure.
