[2315] in Depressing_Thoughts
Re: The role of religion
marc@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (marc@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Thu Sep 12 18:30:55 1991
One of the things I learned about Judaism is that one of the most
important facets of Judaism is that it is a moral code, mostly for
dealing with others. (Hillel standing on one foot and all of that.)
You can divide most of the halachot into "morals" and "ritual". For
instance, who is the better Jew, one who observes all the rituals to
the letter, but doesn't do much in the way of community service, etc,
or the president of the local JCC, who volunteers at a soup kitchen
several times a month, gives often to charity, but doesn't keep kosher
or go to shul often?
I decided for myself that I can reconcile being a Jew with my actions
by trying to be a good, active member of society in the latter sense
above. Fulfilling this to the extent I think I want may have to wait
until I'm out of school, but I consider that only a temporary problem.
I spent 6 weeks in Israel the summer before I came to MIT. While
there, I kept kosher, observed Shabbat (except lights. I can flame
about that elsewhere), etc. It was a great experience, but one which
I don't think can work in the United States unless you hole yourself
up in a community which looks out (and down) on everyone else, and I
disagree with almost every form of extremism.
So, what I would suggest to you would be to do as much as you can in
and out of your home, but don't take it to an extreme. If someone
invites you to a concert Friday night, go. Personally, I find it
difficult to think "I'm having a more meaningful life because I'm
observing Shabbat, and missing my friend's concert." and really mean
it.
IMHO, any law which forces you to make sacrifices like that is too
rigid, and should be changed.
