(no subject)

[seekingferret]

This was originally going to be a comment on some random blog, but I didn't actually want to get into an argument about this with random strangers on that blog, so I'm adapting it here.

I was responding to a discussion about defining a spectrum of Jewish practice wherein one might be described as 'more observant' or 'less observant'. It's my belief that they were suggesting that Reform Jews are 'less observant' than Orthodox Jews, but they weren't entirely specific.

I self-identity as 'an observant Jew' at times because I am uncomfortable identifying in some contexts with either the Conservative movement or the Modern Orthodox movements, though those two sets of ideological tenets fall closest to my practice. Observant is a somewhat useful identifier in this context. It implies a commitment to the practice of Jewish law as I understand it, in contrast to 'ethnic Jew' or 'cultural Jew' or a handful of other similar names that imply a person whose Jewish identity does not involve religious observance. However, this does not mean that I believe in the kind of spectrum of observance I mentioned.

I don't consider 'the Ultra-Orthodox' to be 'more observant' than me, because their observance extends to rules I think are overreaching, not supported by Halacha, and in some cases ethically wrong. To call them 'more observant' would be to suggest that I considered myself to be failing to live up to their standard of observance. And there are some Reform Jews that I don't think are 'less observant' than me, because their practice of Judaism suffuses their life in a similar way to how my practice suffuses mine, though I disagree with the specifics of their understanding of Jewish law. I do believe that the Torah requires observance of the laws of Kashrut, for example, and I think that a Reform Jew who believes otherwise is wrong, but I don't believe that a Reform Jew who does not observe them is 'less observant' than me.

Where "more observant" might be useful is within the context of a conversation about sin. I am a sinner. There are laws that I do subscribe to yet don't fully live up to. The Torah requires me to show kindness to those in need, to look after the welfare of the poor, to be a brother to my fellow Jew and to my fellow human, and these are areas in which I can always be more observant. There are ritual areas, too, in which I could improve. I could definitely be more committed to the observance of Shabbat as a day dedicated to God, more enthusiastic in my enjoyment of Shabbat. I miss davening more often than I ought to. I've slipped behind in my Daf Yomi study. On Yom Kippur I atone for my failures to live up to the standards of observance that I believe the Torah requires for me. I don't atone for my failure to live up to the standards set by the Charedi community.

Jews have enough problems without getting into competition with each other about whose religious beliefs are better. I'd prefer we approached our religious dialogue from a position of humility, with the knowledge that all of us could be more observant and none of us are lesser people for it.

Comments

[ambyr]

I really like this post.

[kass]

One of the Reform rabbis of my childhood tried hard to teach us not to fall into the "more observant / less observant" (or: "more religious / less religious") fallacy. He used to say that our Orthodox cousins might be more traditional than we, but not necessarily more religious or more observant or more Jewish.

Some days I just want to identify myself as a Jew. period. Not a [insert denominational label here] Jew, not even a post-denominational Jew, just -- a Jew. In relationship with God. Studying Torah. Being part of the Jewish people. That ought to be enough, you know?

[seekingferret]

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean about just identifying as a Jew. [My father says that denominations are a way for Rabbis to distinguish themselves from other Rabbis, and if the Jewish people got rid of all our Rabbis, we'd all just be Jews again. :P]

This is a case where it might be better if we were more like the Christians. :P Nobody says that the Episcopalians are more religious than the Baptists, do they?

[(Anonymous)]

Ferret, thanks for this post. I've made "more observant" and "less observant" comments at times and had Orthodox friends get confused and occasionally upset at me, and this is a great illustration of why those aren't useful comparisons.

[(Anonymous)]

Sorry, didn't sign my last comment.

-Noah

[zandperl]

I realized recently that over time people seem to be more accepting of the distinction between Judaism as a religion, culture, and ethnicity. People used to ask me how I could call myself half Jewish when "Jewish" is a religion and I'm no religion at all, but I haven't gotten that question in years. I'm not sure if it has to do with the new people I interact with being older than then on average, or more awareness of Jewish culture (and more reminders of Jews having been seen as being not white historically), or maybe even where I've been located (though I'd think Massachusetts would be just as aware of Judaism as New York, and I certainly wouldn't think Wyoming would know anything about non-white and non-Christians).