He was a Conservative Rabbi who hated Torah True Judaism
I am not familiar with the phrase "Torah True Judaism". Can you expound on it? I am also intrigued by the separations (?), divisions (?), not quite sure which expression best describes the differences between Orthodox, Conservative and Liberal Judaism.
I grew up with Jewish neighbors - some were more observant than others. My catholic grandmother attended a Jewish school where she was befriended. She would smile in telling me they called her a shiksa. When I worked at the North American HQ of an int'l airline in Manhattan, I had 2 Jewish staff. One was Ashkenazi, the other Sephardic. When the holy days arrived, the Sephardic woman needed more time off to prepare.
Recently, a well known rabbi warned the pope to do everything in his power to prevent the same divisions from occurring among catholics. With us it is a lot simpler. Those who dispute doctrine, are excommunicated. Even so, there is an element that consider themselves more orthodox than others and several groups that, as cited above, have excommunicated themselves.
Thank you again for the conversation. I have always held the Jews in high esteem and with great respect. Were I not a Catholic, I would be a Jew.
Sure, happy to. I am always intrigued with these stories. I usually find a common thread. It is not to say that Orthodox never convert, they do, it is just very rare. I usually find it is the liberals.
I am not familiar with the phrase "Torah True Judaism". Can you expound on it? I am also intrigued by the separations (?), divisions (?), not quite sure which expression best describes the differences between Orthodox, Conservative and Liberal Judaism.
Torah True Judaism means that a person believes that the mitzvot or commandments are still binding and that a person should live according to halacha or Jewish Law. So, they typically will be Sabbath observant meaning they dont drive or cook with fire on the Sabbath etc. They keep kosher, not only avoiding pig and shellfish but also milk and meat together, which is more a rabbinic expansion from the oral Torah. The women observe the laws of niddah or family purity, meaning no sex during or immediately after menstruation, followed by the Mikvah bath for spiritual purification before relations resume. It goes on.... Typically the Orthodox (Modern, Chabad, Breslev etc) follow this level of observance.
Conservative and Reform are the other two mainstream groups although there are many others. Conservative still believe in more biblical teachings but not the rabbinic. I would say they the moderates to center left of the spectrum. They do allow women Rabbi's but not gay. Reform on the other hand dismiss the commandments as out-of-date and moral guidelines. The tend to be more center left to left. Social Justice to them comes from the government. Their buildings are "temples" because in their view the Temple Worship in Jerusalem is also an expired concept, as are the commandments. The Rabbis can be women or gay, gay marriage is okay, abortions are okay....the full liberal deal. Unfortunately, this represents 80% of American Jewry. (It is a historical based problem, the flight of reform Jews in the late 19th and early 20th century to the Us. The observant tended to stay in Europe more).
Yeah, lots of Jewish boys go for the shiskas or the gentile girls...forbidden fruit.
Thank you again for the conversation. I have always held the Jews in high esteem and with great respect. Were I not a Catholic, I would be a Jew.
Sure, anytime, glad we could dialogue. I have many Catholic friends and understand where you are coming from. Thanks, the respect is mutual.