tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626974447429315601.post7966554272164630700..comments2023-08-16T11:24:07.170+03:00Comments on Chopping Wood: The Clinton-Mezvinsky Wedding: A Watershed Jewish MomentUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626974447429315601.post-48005677583101756052010-09-06T22:17:20.447+03:002010-09-06T22:17:20.447+03:00Here are some follow up thoughts on the matter:
h...Here are some follow up thoughts on the matter:<br /><br />http://blog.rabbijason.com/2010/09/rabbis-attendance-at-interfaith.htmlRabbi Jason Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07805550465729805847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626974447429315601.post-70809656286029446682010-08-27T09:43:49.373+03:002010-08-27T09:43:49.373+03:00It seems to me that you have missed the point of t...It seems to me that you have missed the point of the post entirely. You are talking about a situation which undermines the entire halachic system. Of course there is a difference between attending an intermarriage and conducting an intermarriage. However, attending the intermarriage as a Rabbi condones the act. Shalom Bayit often plays a role in halachic decisions. However, when you became a Rabbi, that status made you a representative and protector of Judaism. The analogy of "trying to be the cool kid" implies compromising one's own ethics to fit in with the crowd. What about standing up for your own beliefs and setting an example? Granted it isn't always easy or popular, but in this case it's essential. That's what you chose when you became a Rabbi.<br />Three more points:<br />1. In your essay, you referred to your friend's non-Jewish partner as his "bashert", which means she was his destined soul mate. I highly doubt that God would destine him to marry a non-Jew, as lovely as she may be.<br />2. You end your essay saying that the policy sends a message that "Judaism puts tribalism before dignity and respect." What about the dignity and respect of Torah and the Jewish People?<br />3. After reading your essay, I am still confused as to one point - if the policy did not affect your personal actions, i.e. you still attended an intermarriage despite the policy, then why do you care so much that it is in place and why call for its revocation?<br /><br />Ktivah v'chatimah tovah,<br />Rena SpolterRenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03928102786435881968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7626974447429315601.post-80155837364619122102010-08-27T00:24:27.508+03:002010-08-27T00:24:27.508+03:00Reuven:
Just some points of clarification. 1) I h...Reuven:<br /><br />Just some points of clarification. 1) I have always wanted to be the "cool kid," thank you very much. 2) I use Windex for just about everything. It works. You should try it.<br /><br />In all seriousness, I hope you can see the difference between a rabbi officiating at the marriage between a Jew and a non-Jew versus attending such a wedding.<br /><br />I don't need to tell you that halachically, an interfaith wedding is not kidushin. So, sitting in the audience during this non-kidushin wedding shouldn't be halachically objectionable to you. Correct? Isn't this more of a social issue than Halacha? Perhaps you could argue it's an issue of marit ayin and I'd agree with you. At a certain point (and each rabbi has to decide what that point is), shlom bayit has to play a factor.<br /><br />You were a rabbi at a Young Israel congregation in Metro Detroit. I'm sure there were times when shlom bayit factored into your decision making (for yourself or when you had to psak for your balei batim). <br /><br />Remember Reuven, EVERY Jew can look over their right shoulder at another Jew criticizing their actions and views. You're a centrist Orthodox rabbi. Do you really think your fellow Yiddin to the right of you aren't ashamed of some of the things you do (or don't do)? What you consider to be a chumra (because you're Orthodox), the Haredim would consider to be a kula. I'd like to believe that deep down you recognize this.<br /><br />Shanah Tovah.Rabbi Jason Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07805550465729805847noreply@blogger.com