Wednesday, February 24, 2010

This would be funny, if it weren't true.

There have been reports of RCA rabbis lobbying synagogues not to hire rabbis ordained by YCT, a reflection of what they think of Rabbi Weiss’ standards.
In a twist, one Rabbi Weiss school, YCT, won’t recognize the rabbinic credentials of the other Rabbi Weiss school, Yeshivat Maharat, with Rabba Hurwitz being denied membership in the International Rabbinic Fellowship, also founded by Rabbi Weiss and primarily composed of YCT rabbis.


Source of quote is the link above.

Also, see Hesh's post. It has a link to a VIN article. I liked comment #24 on it.

I always wanted to be a rabbi, but didn't bother, 'cause the orthodox wouldn't take me seriously. Apparently (according to the quote above), YCT's walking a line that sends that very message. Which is too bad. Disorganized religion is far easier to deal with, imo. Which reminds me, Patrick's coming up to play a gig in NYC this Saturday night (Purim!). I'm looking forward to it.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Worth repeating

Please click the link below, then scroll up for the quote in original posted context.
Frumsatire Fan
February 8, 2010 at 1:00 PM

I really think everyone should read some A. J. Heschel – man who believed in tradition but rejected some aspects of the theology of orthodox judaism. It’s not all-or-nothing, my-derech-or-no-derech.

“It is customary to blame secular science and anti-religious philosophy for the eclipse of religion in modern society. It would be more honest to blame religion for its own defeats. Religion declined not because it was refuted, but because it became irrelevant, dull, oppressive, insipid. When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendor of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion–its message becomes meaningless.”
Abraham Joshua Heschel (God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism)