The Hasidic movement began as a response to this but it itself has calcified. It seems we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over. I will say this as someone who questions: If Judaism is fundamentally true, we forgot the way to arriving at that truth
Sometimes I like to fantasize that the Baal Shem Tov was actually a heretic who instead of walking away, chose to stay and reshape it from within. I know that’s almost certainly not true, but I like imagining it. We can debate where it went wrong or who ruined it, but it’s clear that he basically created a new religion.
In my mind him, and people like him, are the real heroes.
Nice writing but I don't think the mashal is accurate. This is the classic observation of the famous Meshech Chochma at the end of Bechukosai. When there's no need for individual leadership/original thinking/creativity, you end up with most sliding into formalism without much heart or mind until the only solution is another exile to send everyone to a new environment that will require individual leadership/original thinking/creativity, bringing Judaism back to life
I see joy in frum Torah life all the time--in every type of community, even the litvish chareidi ones in E.Y.
Shabbos Zemiros, kumzitz niggunim, family simchos, weddings, Yomim Tovim, etc.
Some weeks, It's one party after another. Maybe its highly choreographed and not spontaneous, but everyone is genuinely enjoying themselves much of the time.
I have no idea of the somberness you are describing in this moshol.
Shavua Tov - I have children and grandchildren in Lakewood - I see unbridled joy there on all levels - perhaps what a person sees if a reflection of an image from within ? Or perhaps not. But either way your article was good, both well written, informative and brings much to think about. However perhaps your picture is not what others see?
Traditions always made sense at the time they came about, but we can lose sight of the underlying reason for their origin. Some remain relevant, others need adjustment in light of current conditions...and others can fade away, to be studied for context and history even if not actively practiced.
Rituals also prone to fatigue like this: what starts as an enthralling ceremony full of depth becomes a chore to dial in, unless we provide enough variations or find new meanings within the text and action to keep them enchanting.
They called it Soccer Lishma
wow. I'm going to reread this.
The Hasidic movement began as a response to this but it itself has calcified. It seems we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over. I will say this as someone who questions: If Judaism is fundamentally true, we forgot the way to arriving at that truth
Sometimes I like to fantasize that the Baal Shem Tov was actually a heretic who instead of walking away, chose to stay and reshape it from within. I know that’s almost certainly not true, but I like imagining it. We can debate where it went wrong or who ruined it, but it’s clear that he basically created a new religion.
In my mind him, and people like him, are the real heroes.
If it is true that we tend to “repeat mistakes”
like a broken record?
I was thinking of the dna molecule
Which pictured is a spiral.
If one makes small changes continually,
Or (as a driving instructor once taught) “Correct your steering for the road”,
Then there is a spiral pathway that is not repeated.
It doesn’t go like an ox grinding a millstone over grain: i.e., circularly.
Tradition has a purpose: assisting memory.
Chalk it up to galus
Nice writing but I don't think the mashal is accurate. This is the classic observation of the famous Meshech Chochma at the end of Bechukosai. When there's no need for individual leadership/original thinking/creativity, you end up with most sliding into formalism without much heart or mind until the only solution is another exile to send everyone to a new environment that will require individual leadership/original thinking/creativity, bringing Judaism back to life
It's a great meshech chochma
I see joy in frum Torah life all the time--in every type of community, even the litvish chareidi ones in E.Y.
Shabbos Zemiros, kumzitz niggunim, family simchos, weddings, Yomim Tovim, etc.
Some weeks, It's one party after another. Maybe its highly choreographed and not spontaneous, but everyone is genuinely enjoying themselves much of the time.
I have no idea of the somberness you are describing in this moshol.
Formality, yes, lack of emotion, no.
Maybe it's just in Lakewood?
Shavua Tov - I have children and grandchildren in Lakewood - I see unbridled joy there on all levels - perhaps what a person sees if a reflection of an image from within ? Or perhaps not. But either way your article was good, both well written, informative and brings much to think about. However perhaps your picture is not what others see?
Love it
Traditions always made sense at the time they came about, but we can lose sight of the underlying reason for their origin. Some remain relevant, others need adjustment in light of current conditions...and others can fade away, to be studied for context and history even if not actively practiced.
Rituals also prone to fatigue like this: what starts as an enthralling ceremony full of depth becomes a chore to dial in, unless we provide enough variations or find new meanings within the text and action to keep them enchanting.