He might've been practicing Orthodox but he was not observant. His philosophy was hateful and an unintentional source of assistance to our religious enemies.
I have a low opinion of intellectuals. Historically they have been wrong about most things and taken the wrong moral side on major issues. His sister, on the other hand, is a major figure in our history and literature for the opposite reasons.
His musings on faith weren't so radical. It's pretty standard that we do the mitzvos primarily because God commanded them. "There is no reward in this world." "The mitzvos were not given for benefit." We have faith that God commanded us to perform them so we do. As for state Judaism, there is no separation of synagogue and state in the Torah. A proper halakhic state would have a rabbanut and frankly that rabbanut would have far more power than the one in Israel today. His argument to separate religion made sense to prevent abuse from religious authorities but then Israel truly becomes what the Chareidim claim it is - a non-Jewish secular state that only claims to be Jewish but really isn't. Never mind the Chareidim then acting like they already do. The Religious Zionists would've joined them because why support a country that reflects none of your values on principle? He went too far in many comments, like calling Religious Zionists "Zionazis" which was completely inappropriate or denigrating worship at the Kosel as meaningless.
IMHO --- That is EXACTLY the part he got right! It is PRESENTLY a secular state, the Rabbanut and the religious parties are more corrupt than the Seculars, if that's possible!
He might've been practicing Orthodox but he was not observant. His philosophy was hateful and an unintentional source of assistance to our religious enemies.
ReplyDeletePay attention to the message --- One of the great Jewish thinkers, not the greatest Jewish tzaddik!
DeleteI have a low opinion of intellectuals. Historically they have been wrong about most things and taken the wrong moral side on major issues.
DeleteHis sister, on the other hand, is a major figure in our history and literature for the opposite reasons.
What statement did you disagree with?
ReplyDeleteHis musings on faith weren't so radical. It's pretty standard that we do the mitzvos primarily because God commanded them. "There is no reward in this world." "The mitzvos were not given for benefit." We have faith that God commanded us to perform them so we do.
DeleteAs for state Judaism, there is no separation of synagogue and state in the Torah. A proper halakhic state would have a rabbanut and frankly that rabbanut would have far more power than the one in Israel today. His argument to separate religion made sense to prevent abuse from religious authorities but then Israel truly becomes what the Chareidim claim it is - a non-Jewish secular state that only claims to be Jewish but really isn't. Never mind the Chareidim then acting like they already do. The Religious Zionists would've joined them because why support a country that reflects none of your values on principle?
He went too far in many comments, like calling Religious Zionists "Zionazis" which was completely inappropriate or denigrating worship at the Kosel as meaningless.
IMHO --- That is EXACTLY the part he got right! It is PRESENTLY a secular state, the Rabbanut and the religious parties are more corrupt than the Seculars, if that's possible!
ReplyDelete