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| Conservative Rabbi David Wolpe |
One would think that the differences between Open Orthodoxy
and Conservative Judaism are in fact significant at some level. Even though many
of us have said that Open Orthodoxy is just a newer version of an old song.
For
the most part I believe that’s true – as Rabbi Avi Shafran pointed out in a
Jewish Week article that was republished on Cross-Currents. Part of the reason
for all of these protests coming from just about all of Orthodoxy to their
right is that Open Orthodoxy’s members are in fact observant of Halacha. And that is how
Orthodoxy has always been defined. Their female rabbis who are married cover
their hair. And obviously observe Shabbos, Kashrus, and Taharas Mishpacha.
But as those of us to their right keep saying their ideology
departs from tradition so radically that it takes them out of our orbit. Especially
their tolerance for the kind of bible criticism that too easily leads one to
conclude that the Torah was written by man.
They retort - often with a degree of anger - that Orthodoxy was
always about observance. And they observe Halacha no less meticulously than any
other Orthodox Hashkafa. I will go them one better and say Open Orthodox
Jews are probably more sincere than many to their right. There are a lot of us to their right that may not be as meticulous in some areas of Halacha as they are. That is human nature.
It is
the nature of large groups of people of a particular ideology to have a spectrum of belief and observance of it’s tenets. Which makes some of them more meticulous
than others. So whether Charedi or Centrist we have our share of slackers. I tend to believe that Open Orthodox Jews by their very nature
are sincere people and are as meticulous about their observance of Halacha as they are sincere about their ideology of abandoning those traditions they feel are no longer relevant.
That is why it is important to speak out. To assure anyone
listening (or reading) – including those who may consider Open Orthodoxy a real option in Orthodoxy – to realize
it really isn’t. That virtually the entire rabbinic
body of Orthodox Jewry to their right rejects them. It must be made clear that observance of
Halacha while rejecting centuries old Mesorah (tradition) because of the
currents of 2015 is problematic. Traditions should never be changed except in rare
cases of existential threat.
Which brings me to an article in the Huffington Post (republished
in the Jewish Journal) written by Conservative Rabbi, David Wolpe. Some of Rabbi Wolpe’s message could have been
written by almost any Orthodox Rabbi. He described his life in terms that any
Orthodox Jew would describe. For example he said that he Davens 3 times a day.
But then he says the following:
Conservative Judaism is quintessentially the Judaism of relationship. Balancing relationships with other Jewish denominations, reaching out to the non-Jewish world, and most important, understanding our tradition as one in continuing dialogue with God. Every relationship is both a legacy and a promise; it depends upon what has gone before, but if it does not grow and change, it cannot live.
This is where it gets dicey. I suppose one can debate
exactly what he means by ‘Balancing relationships with other Jewish
denominations,(and) reaching out to the non-Jewish world…’. But what I think he meant
is what Open Orthodoxy means. Embracing all denominations – thus legitimizing them.
It isn’t too difficult to embrace those to your right as legitimate as does the Conservative Movement with respect to Orthodoxy. But
what about those to your left? Both Rabbi Wolpe and Open Orthodoxy say
we should embrace them too.
Let me be clear. There is no Jew that I would not fully
embrace no matter what their denomination. It is ideology I am talking about.
Not people. And by embracing their spiritual leaders we are in essence
tolerating their ideology. And the greatest rabbis of the 20th Century including
Rav Yoshe Ber Soloveitchik, ZTL, the universally recognized leader of Modern Orthodoxy
forbade it.
Often I have heard the claim that times are different now
and the dangers of appearing to recognize their theology no longer apply. But I
doubt they would have changed their minds. To illustrate - feminism was already
making inroads into other denominations in Rav Soloveitchik’s heyday. Heterodoxy responded by beginning to ordain
female rabbis.
Rav Soloveitchik was adamantly opposed to it despite the changing cultural climate of his time. He would not permit the innovation of female
rabbis any more today than he did then. And yet Open Orthodoxy has bowed to the demands of the times and has begun ordaining women.
Interestingly, Rabbi Wolpe seems to use the same argument
that Open Orthodox rabbis do. That tradition is a ‘continuing dialogue with God’.
I assume that he means that we can change tradition as part of that dialogue in
effect ‘presenting our case to God’ that the times mandate changing tradition
in order to remain relevant to the modern Jewish mind. Same thing that Open Orthodoxy believes.
My understanding is that Rabbi Wolpe is an observant
Jew that follows Halacha. At least the way the Conservative Movement defines
it. Which to the average eye, would appear to be no different than how Orthodoxy defines it. And I recall an article he once wrote urging Conservative Jews to become more observant. I have also been told that he accepts the
conclusion of many bible critics that say the Torah was written by man –
different parts in different eras.
I have to ask: In what way is Rabbi Wolpe any different
than the rabbis who lead Open Orthodoxy? It is no wonder they seek
interdenominational cooperation with Conservative rabbis. It’s because there is
no real differences between them.
Which is why so many of us consider them Neo Conservative.
It’s because they so obviously are.
