There is so much strife and pain in this world that I can't even concieve of a next - I'm more concerned with what goes on here and fixing the now then spending most of my life planning for what will go on later.
One of the things I've always liked about Jewish religious philosophy is that it doesn't talk about the next world anything like as much as it talks about what we're supposed to do here in this one.
It's not about getting into Heaven. It's about tikun olam -- fixing the world.
(Of course, approaches differ on this in Judaism, as on everything.)
First of all you're not hijacking anything. This rant was basically my reaction to a bunch of blogs and talk radio bashing isreal, jews and judaism for not being consistent on things like "don't kill." On your other point I don't know if you remember but I used to have a button on my bag that said "the next time you're asked your race, just say Human." And then consider that the bible which is widely (and not necessarily wrongfully) considered a book of Laws, begins with a whole book that's nothing but exposition. The creation of the world, adam and eve. one of the most famous biblical commentators of all time asked a simple question. Why start there? If it's a book of laws it should begin with the laws not history. He answered that the entire existence of the first book of the bible is to remind you that all people are decended from the same "parents." So that no person or group of people could ever claim being superior to another or having a greater heritage. It's a major thing to devote a 1/5th of the whole bible to trying to get
( ... )
That's all really interesting, and makes quite a good bit of sense.
But here's a question, that I guess I could figure out on my own, but figured I'd ask:
What about adoption? If my adopted mother is jewish and my biological mother isn't, am I? If my biological mother is jewish and my adopted mother isn't, what then?
Saw your post and was afraid to go look at the news. I put it out of my mind all day, but finally went and checked to see what happened (yes, I even managed to avoid the Daily News front page but caught it out of the corner of my eye in passing and saw nothing happy).
Nothing good ever comes of reading the news. Except, well, being informed.
*hugs* I'm sorry people have been saying such things that you felt compelled to set the record straight, but I'm glad you shared your thoughts.
Comments 7
*pronounced "ah-men"
Reply
Reply
One of the things I've always liked about Jewish religious philosophy is that it doesn't talk about the next world anything like as much as it talks about what we're supposed to do here in this one.
It's not about getting into Heaven. It's about tikun olam -- fixing the world.
(Of course, approaches differ on this in Judaism, as on everything.)
Reply
Reply
But here's a question, that I guess I could figure out on my own, but figured I'd ask:
What about adoption? If my adopted mother is jewish and my biological mother isn't, am I? If my biological mother is jewish and my adopted mother isn't, what then?
Reply
Reply
Nothing good ever comes of reading the news. Except, well, being informed.
*hugs* I'm sorry people have been saying such things that you felt compelled to set the record straight, but I'm glad you shared your thoughts.
Reply
Leave a comment