Re: Kol Isha

[Eliezer Kaplan <zelwel...>]

> In my view (and many others agree), Judaism has survived only because it
has
> accepted change,

Marvin- 2 words- Intermarriage Rate. I don't think Judaism is really
surviving in America!
                    EK


----- Original Message -----
From: "Marvin" <physchem (at) telocity(dot)com>
To: "World music from a Jewish slant" <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2001 10:03 AM
Subject: Re: Kol Isha


> To show where I "come from" on this matter, I'm a Reform Jew who
> has studied Torah (my mixed male/female group finished the last of the
five
> books late last year, after spending an hour most weeks for more than four
> years with our Rabbi, reading and debating line by line), but not Talmud.
I
> respect the differing views of other Jews, but I don't accept claims some
> make that their views are the only legitimate ones, or that it has "always
> been that way".  I especially resent those who say I'm not Jewish.
Perhaps
> they need to be reminded that, not matter how observent thay are, there is
> always someone who thinks he is holier.
>
> A couple of years ago, the question of who Jacob wrestled with came up on
a
> Jewish humor newsgroup.  I made the comment that in a modern context,
> considering the circumstances surrounding Jacob's experience, one might
say
> that he wrestled with his conscience.  I quickly got an e-mail informing
me
> that only rabbis are allowed to make such comments.  I mention that only
as
> an example of the kind of thinking I won't accept.
>
> In my view (and many others agree), Judaism has survived only because it
has
> accepted change, most notably when the priesthood lost out to the rabbis.
> The change is still going on, and one modern aspect is the growing rights
of
> women.  When they want to, even the most Orthodox rabbis manage to find
> reason to change halachah.  In terms of women singing, I understand that
> more than half the cantorial students for the last several years have been
> women, and they are accepted by both Conservative and Reform
congregations.
> The numerically prevailing view among congregation rabbis in the US
supports
> women as cantors, which doesn't mean that all rabbis must accept them.
>
> I don't automatically give in to those who wish to control a group (e.g.,
a
> concert) by objecting that an activity isn't allowed under the rules that
> they follow.  There are other interpretations by rabbis who are well
> qualified.  I wouldn't force anyone to violate his principles, but the
> person who is offended can leave the room.
>
> Conflicts of laws and rights occur in other contexts, and in the U.S.
there
> is a principle often stated as "your rights end at the tip of my nose".
>
> Marvin Margoshes
>
>
>
>
>

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