[HANASHIR:1739] Re: Politically Incorrect

[Adrian A. Durlester <durleste...>]

I, personally, would always prefer the composer's original lyric. However, I
do know that some Jewish songwriters feel that getting their music out there
and sung is more important.

This may be bias on my part, but I am less offended by Orthodox Jews
substituting Hashem and Adoshem than I am by Reform Jews changing Hashem to
Ad-nai (as is often done with Reb Shlomo's songs.)

I guess I am backing myself into a corner. For if I say that it is
appropriate to change Ad-nai to Hashem to respect Orthodox sensibilities,
how can I then say it is not necessary to change text in order not to offend
women or other disenfranchised people? But I do see a distinction, as
inconsistent as that may be.

The use of substitute pronunciations of the tetragrammaton has a long
history-and it is not about offense, political correctness, etc. It is about
the unpronounceable personal and secret name of G-d that is not, according
to our tradition, supposed to be spoken.

I have yet to hear a convincing argument from any liberal Jewish theologian
as to why it would be inappropriate, in a liberal context, to use
traditional substitutions for the tetragrammaton.(I have heard some
unconvincing arguments-mostly about rising above superstition. How typically
arrogant of the liberal intellectual.) While intellectual Reform scholars
may have been able to rationalize the appropriateness of using Ad-nai, and
it not being necessary to use the substitutions (and I have heard some
convincing arguments in that regard-even from Orthodox scholars)they have
yet to rationalize, from my perspective, why the use of the substitutions in
a liberal context is inappropriate.

Not as simple an issue as it sounds, is it?

Adrian


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On
Behalf Of LSOLKOWITZ (at) aol(dot)com
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 1998 8:03 AM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:1737] Re: Politically Incorrect


I've been reading this "Rise & Shine" debate with intense interest.  I've
been
on both sides of the fence in the past, but now I have new concerns...

I'm now a member of (and music teacher for) and Orthodox / Lubavich
congregation and school.  We only use Ha-Shem and Ado-Shem in songs (we
avoid
the English terms all together).  I've been wondering how the composers on
this list would feel with this substitution, not only for Rise & Shine, but
for their works as well.  Without the substitution, our Rabbi will not
permit
the songs to be used.

Personally, I find this substitution to be respectful and politically
correct.
What do y'all think??

laura