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| One of the founders of Reform Judaism in America, Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise |
But in his latest Times of Israel article Rabbi Muskat suggests doing something I cannot agree with. Which is that we seek to create joint programs with heterodox movements with a goal that would actualize what he calls Ahavat Chinam - the unconditional love of fellow non Orthodox Jews.
It’s probably true that a lot of heterodox Jews think that Orthodox Jews
hate them. That is false but somewhat understandable. It is based on an assortment of issues where we find ourselves at odds with each other. Such as our opposition to heterodoxy’s attempt to gain recognition in Israel. Most of Orthodox rabbinic leadership is opposed to that –
as am I for reasons that will become obvious later in the post.
But that does not mean I have any animus towards heterodox
Jews or even non denominational Jews. I love every single Jew regardless of
which denomination they belong to. What I don’t love is their denominations.
Which I believe are based on false notions about Judaism. I can’t love
something I believe is false.
What Rabbi Muskat suggests is doing away with the decades old prohibition of interacting with heterodox rabbis. He believes that past fears about legitimizing them are no longer realistic. And that it is far more
important to - instead of just paying lip service to it -.do something concrete to show that not only don't we hate fellow Jews - but to show much we love them!
I actually agree with his goal. Just not his method. Even
though the dangers of recognition are no longer significant, that does not
mean we can do things that make it appear as though we legitimize false views and practices. By creating a joint program, we give the false impression that all streams of Judaism are legitimate. So that if Jew does not want to be observant, then
joining the Reform Movement is a perfectly fine expression of their Judaism. That it’s just a different way of doing God’s will. Which is completely false. We believe that
serving God means doing what he told us
to do in the Torah– as interpreted by the greatest rabbis of each generation since
Moshe.
The question then becomes, if I believe in Rabbi Muskat’s
goal but not his methods, how do we get his
message of Ahavas Chinam across to our non observant brethren? How do we put our
money where our collective mouths are?
There are a variety of acceptable ways to do that. For
example there is the case of Rabbi Yosef Reinman, a Rav from Lakewood. A few
years ago he befriended a Reform Rabbi and ended up writing a book together for
purposes of showing that we can be friends and respect each other across denominational lines even
when there are profound differences between us.
They began a promotional book
tour where Rabbi Reinman met many Jews he would otherwise never would have and
made a positive impression upon them. By making it clear that there was no endorsement
of Reform Judaism there was no way to say he was legitimizing it. But the ‘Daas
Torah’ of the Charedi world told him to stop because just by being on the same
stage with them - it implied legitimization.
I disagreed with them then and still do. But Rabbi
Reinman was not about to disobey his ‘Daas Torah’ and acceded to their wishes.
He stopped participating in that book tour. However, upon doing so he commented that his only
regret was no longer being able to meet with them and having the above-mentioned positive impact.
For me there is a difference between joining them with a
clear message that you don’t agree with them – and what Rabbi Muskat wants to
do. Which is ti simply join with them in some sort of collaborative venture that would not indicate any
disagreement.
True, as he says the theological divide is so great today that there
would be no way to mistake one denomination for the other. But that does not
preclude individual Jews participating in those programs from seeing it as some sort of legitimization.
There is no way that we can be seen as legitimizing things we believe to be
false.
By saying all this, I realize that to those on my left will it will reinforce their perception of me as a closet Charedi. Just as some of my other
posts make me seem by those on my right as clearly left wing Modern Orthodox. (e.g.
yesterday’s post on the sad state of secular education in the more right wing
Yeshivos).
But I am neither of those. I am a Centrist. Which is not
some sort of mathematical midpoint between the right and left. Although some of
my views are shared by the left and some by the right, they are all based on the thoughtful consideration of the values I received from a variety of role models I have been involved with along the path of
life thus far. (…and I’m still learning). People that include my parents, my
Rebbeim, my wife, my peers, my friends, and even my children. As well as other
significant individuals - either in person or through their writings.
That’s my story and I’m
sticking to it!
