Jul 1st, 2010
by rabbifink.
It only took 2 months. But in the time since I wondered on April 16, 2010 if there were any Orthroprax Rabbis (read: Orthoprax Jews and Orthoprax Christians), an Orthoprax Rabbi has come out of the proverbial closet.
Boy did he set off a firestorm. Hundreds of comments on his blog, another few hundred on the other blogs talking about the Orthoprax Rabbi confirm the provocativeness of the idea of an orthoprax rabbi.
I have a lot to say ABOUT the Orthoprax Rabbi and I also have some things to say TO the Orthoprax Rabbi (IF HE IS REAL AND NOT A HOAX). (more…)
Mar 23rd, 2010
by rabbifink.
This is part IV in a loosely connected series of posts on equality and change.
Parts 1-3:
-Simple Justice | The Story of Brown v. Board of Education: The End of Separate But Equal in Schools
-Reverse Discrimination and Oversensitivity
-The Mechanics of Change and How To Make A Difference
In 1868 Black Americans were granted equal protection and citizenship in the United States of America. However, in 1896 the Supreme Court of the United States held in Plessy v. Ferguson that “separate was equal”. There was “no inferiority suggested by keeping races separate” and so things went for about 60 years. In 1954 in all changed. Brown v. Board of Education demonstrated to the SCOTUS that separate was not equal and it was held that states could not discriminate between races in matters that were of compelling government interest. The Civil Rights movement pressured states to remove all discriminatory laws and in 1964 the Civil Rights Act expanded the law forbidding discrimination to more scenarios. Today there is virtually no overt, legal discrimination in the United States of America.
How did one of the greatest legal and social changes in history occur? (more…)
Mar 11th, 2010
by rabbifink.
This post has been cross-posted to DovBear. For more discussion, click here.
Rabbi Steven Pruzansky is making headlines with his front page Jewish Press article in which he thoroughly disposes of Orthopraxy and ousts the Orthoprax from Modern Orthodoxy.
For a thorough fisking of the main parts of the article go to XGH’s blog, this is his area of expertise.
What Rabbi Pruzansky’s article made me ponder is the relevance of Orthopraxy to the average Frum Jew. (more…)
Jan 12th, 2010
by rabbifink.
Today’s NY Times has some glowing praise for the Jewish People. David Brooks holds nothing bakc in his effervescent article chronicling the great succeses of the Jewish People in the modern era and particularly in Israel.
It is something of note that such a small people makes up such a large number of success stories. Brooks notes accomplishments as chess champions and Nobel laureates, Ivy League School attendance, Academy Award Nominations, philanthropists and Pulitzer Prize winners, among others. For some reason he omits athletics. Have you not heard of Omri Casspi!? (I kid.) (more…)
Nov 24th, 2009
by rabbifink.
I am sure you are familiar with the Christmas Creep phenomena. You can’t miss it!
The basic principle of Christmas Creep is that each year Christmas celebrations begin earlier and earlier.
The cynical view is that retailers use the earlier Christmas season to maximize sales. I can’t imagine that works very well. People are going to buy a certain number of gifts, no matter when they start seeing Christmas displays. Right? For more on Christmas Creep read the Wikipedia article here.
There are some holdouts. The contrast between the holdouts and the creepers is evident at the nearby outdoor mall – The Grove. (more…)
Sep 17th, 2009
by rabbifink.
Something has been on mind the last few days. The last three blog posts I have attempted to write have been all on the same topic. I have decided to turn them into two blog posts and this is the first of a two part series.
The topic is parenting. The relationship between parents and their children.
It is a timely subject as the Jewish Calendar turns the page into a new year. A major element of the Rosh Hashana liturgy is the relationship between us and God. That relationship takes a few forms. One form is that of a parent to a child.
(more…)
Jul 30th, 2009
by rabbifink.
A few years ago I was a campus Rabbi for the Jewish Awareness Movement (I even made the video on their home page) at USC. One of my primary responsibilities was to lead large groups of Jewish college students on inspiring trips to Israel.
Of course, the personal inspiration for me, was very often, greater than the inspiration for some of the students.
One episode has inspired me since the moment it occurred and it is directly related to today’s Tisha B’Av fast.
(more…)
Jul 26th, 2009
by rabbifink.
Last week the world witnessed another wonder of our universe, the Solar Eclipse. This eclipse was visible from Southeast Asia and was the longest eclipse in 18 years and will remain the longest for the next 123 years.
The eclipse has long been associated with mythology and supernatural acts. If you are a fan of the TV show, Heroes, you know what I mean.
In Southeast Asia, many Hindus were gripped by fear. According to Hindu tradition, the eclipse can cause harm to unborn children. Many ancient cultures attached mythological meaning to solar eclipses. Today, we know that the eclipse is part of the solar pattern that is predictable to the second.
What about Judaism? What do we say about the solar eclipse?
(more…)
It only took 2 months. But in the time since I wondered on April 16, 2010 if there were any Orthroprax Rabbis (read: Orthoprax Jews and Orthoprax Christians), an Orthoprax Rabbi has come out of the proverbial closet.
This post is really two Public Service Announcements.
