It has been some time now since the 8th Grade was discussing anything, but when last we met it was all about tattoos and piercings - the time before being about the
mezuzah. I had yet to write on either of these, but I have been thinking a lot about both since reading an article posted on medium.com. It is entitled "JUDAISM NEXT" and is a Rabbi's take on what to do about the evolving nature of Judaism, namely Reform/Liberal Judaism. I felt it appropriate to use this article to demonstrate where I am at in terms of everything we are talking about in the 8th Grade this year and trying to make the traditions/commandments relevant to us today.
Here is an excerpt that sums up the article nicely:
The problem with liberal Judaism is liberal Judaism, not liberal rabbis or liberal Jews. The God affirmed in our liturgy is dead. The idea that the earth was created for our sake is laughable. The insistence that God loves us and will intervene on our behalf is simply sad. The notion that the people Israel is chosen and the Land of Israel is promised is seen for what it is: an Iron Age marketing campaign. Hyping Jewish jingoism to post–ethnic and post–tribal Jews and their Gentile partners is absurd. Pretending that serious Torah study consists of asking “What does this passage mean to me today” is insulting to both Jews and Torah. And equating deep contemplative practice with clapping hands to neo–Hasidic melodies is so ridiculous that most Jews in the pews don’t even bother to try. If liberal Judaism is to have a future, we need to do different, not better.
Why have we, as Reform/Liberal Jews, taken it upon ourselves to hold onto some mitzvot and not others? Are we hurting the religion/culture/traditions as a whole by allowing for our younger generations to question Judaism and give them the right to choose what they want to practice?
The whole idea behind a mezuzah and getting a tattoo(s) is to "affix" a meaningful symbol on your doorpost or body. Right now, this article is speaking to me in all sorts of ways.
