Final Reflection

Throughout this blog, I have expanded my understanding and acceptance of Orthodox Judaism, and many of their beliefs. I have a better understanding of why Orthodox Judaism believes the Torah is the word of G-d, and why I cannot be married in the state of Israel. While I wish I could be, and hope to some day be able to, I understand their reasoning for saying my mother’s conversion is not “Orthodox enough.” Also, when I first thought about this blog and the research I would do and understandings I would come to, I did not foresee myself understanding how Jews could be anti-Israel. However, my research has taught why this extremist group believes what they do, and I even found myself relating to many of their beliefs. Overall, I was able to suspend my beliefs throughout my research and gain a better understanding of why Orthodox Jews are as literal as they are. And I feel the most important conclusion that I came to is that Orthodox Jews, specifically the ones I encountered in my first trip to Israel, do not feel superior to me. I appreciate their believes just as they appreciate my dedication to my view of Judaism.

Beth El-Atereth

As my research for this blog comes to an end, I decided to go to Boston to witness another Orthodox service. A large part of my interest in researching Orthodox Judaism, especially in relation to Reform Judaism, originated from my encounters in Israel with the Orthodox community, specifically at Shabbat services. I traveled on Friday night April 18 to Newton, MA to Congregation Beth El-Atereth, not knowing what to expect. I dressed conservatively to be respectful to their beliefs. Upon my arrival, I was immediately welcomed by the entire community, and even the males were friendly to me. It is a more progressive Orthodox community. I took a seat in one of the two women’s sections. I understand their belief that women and men must pray separately, but I respect the congregation because they offered two sections for women. The synagogue is shaped like a semi-cricle with the arc and bimah (where the Torah is read) in the middle. This way women can see it as well. Both men and women pray on the same level; men sit in the middle section and women sit on the two sides next to the walls. Surrounding the men’s section, there was still a mechitza (seperation wall); however, the top half was partially open. This way, women still feel part of the community when praying.
While this synagogue is still different than what I am used to, I have a better understanding of why they pray this way, and I respect the congregation’s effort to create and equality between men and women. Even though I was surrounded completely by women, which is different than the way I pray at home, I did not feel isolated the way I had in Israel. I felt part of a smaller, closer knit community of women who immediately included me in their Shabbat prayers. I enjoyed my experience at Beth El-Atereth, and I felt that they accepted me as a complete Jew. Yes, they do not know my background, but we showed each other mutual respect.

More on Neturei-Karta

When I first learned that these Jews were against the State of Israel, I wondered how they could consider themselves Jews. However, as I have now learned the reasoning for why they are opposed to the existence of the state, and are anti-Zionist, I realize their beliefs fall very much inline with my own.
As I explained in the last blog, Neturei-Karta Jews believe that the State of Israel does not rightfully exist because of the way it came to be. This group is very supportive of Palestine. While I support the State of Israel, I do not necessarily agree with the basis for the formation, or the way Israel is handling many of the Palestinian refugees. While I previously thought that the Neturei-Karta were anti-Zionist strictly for extreme religious beliefs, I am realizing this is not the case. While the group believes that the State of Israel should not come into existence until the messiah comes, their main beliefs have to do with the moral interpretation of the Torah.
Furthermore, the way my friends expressed their feelings after encountering the neighborhood in which the Neturei-Karta reside implied they were ignored because the group felt my friends were “not Jewish enough.” However, I my research has led me to believe that the group does not judge who is Jewish enough or not. They explicitly state that their reason for not supporting Israel has nothing to do with the fact it is a secular state. The group most likely ignored my friends because they would assume that if they were visiting Israel, they must support the country, and therefore, be Zionist. While this is an assumption, and surely some of the reason they were ignored related to their appearance as outsiders, it does have some truth to it. It especially has truth if the Neturei-Karta realized my friends were American because of our country’s support for Israel.

Anti-Zionist Jews?

Most people, including myself, initially associate Judaism with a love and support for the State of Israel. However, there is an extreme sect of Orthodox Judaism known as the Neturei-Karta who do not believe in Zionism. When I first learned that these Jews were against the State of Israel, I wondered how they could consider themselves Jews. However, as I have now learned the reasoning for why they are opposed to the existence of the state, and are anti-Zionist, I realize their beliefs fall very much inline with my own.
I had my first encounter with them when my friends chose to explore that neighborhood in Jerusalem one Shabbat. I am now further exploring why Jews who primarily live within the State of Israel are opposed to its existence.
The group was founded in Jerusalem, Palestine in 1938. The group was given the name Neturei-Karta, meaning “Guardians of the City” in Aramaic. They are believed to be the guardians of the city from an ancient story in which a rabbi sent two people on a pastoral tour of inspection. In one town, these people asked to the see the guardians of the city and were led to the city guard. The people responded that this city guard was the city’s destroyer, which prompted the citizens to ask who the guardians were. The rabbis answered,” The scribes and the scholars,” referring them to Psalms Chapter 127.
This group, similarly to Orthodox Judaism, believes the Torah is the word of G-d and must be followed literally. The group is not opposed to Zionism or the State of Israel because it is very secular, but rather because they feel it goes against fundamental beliefs and values in the Jewish religion. Neturei-Karta believes that Jews do not have the right to a State until the messiah. While this may seem a bit extreme to some, their believes in why are very altruistic. The Torah teaches to be kind to all, and also does not believe in the use of violence unless in defense. These are values similar to the golden rule that all people should live by. Neturei-Karta Jews therefore interpret the existence of the State of Israel as going against the Torah in the sense that the Zionist movement took the land from the Palestinians.


Source:
2003 “What is the Neturei-Karta?” Electronic Document,
http://www.nkuk.org/, accessed April 17.

Different Beliefs

The main difference between Orthodox and Reform Judaism, other than observant people are, is their views of the Torah. The Orthodox movement of Judaism believes that the Torah was written by G-d and given to Jews on Mount Sinai. The Reform movement, however, believes that the Torah was written by different human sources and then compiled. Therefore, the interpretations vary between the movements. The Orthodox movement follows the Torah and Jewish law much more strictly than does the Reform movement. The Reform movement does not follow the 613 commandments, but rather takes its values and lives by them. Orthodox Jews are much more literal about the Torah and the commandments, and therefore, are strict about observing holidays and keeping kosher.
So why then does Israel not allow people to be married who aren’t Jewish? The state does not have civil weddings; they are all legalized by the Orthodox rabbis. I have begun to understand why these Orthodox rabbis would not allow non-Orthodox converts to be married. Orthodox rabbis and the movement believe that the Torah needs to be taken literally, and the laws need to be upheld as they are stated in the Torah. Therefore, it is unknown how loyal a convert would be to the Torah. The Orthodox movement still acknowledges converts. However, if these converts were able to marry in the state of Israel, the purity of the Orthodox religion could be changed. Also, I am beginning to understand why the Orthodox insist on proving Judaism for marriage. As stated in the article in the New York Times, the high rate of intermarriage, especially in the United States, is changing the way Judaism is practiced. Therefore, Jews, especially who are not from Israel, need to show that they really do value the religion. It is still frustrating to me that I could not be married in the state as of now, but I better understand why the Orthodox rabbis would not allow me to.


Source:
Rich, Tracey R.
1995-2006 “Movements of Judaism.” Electronic Document,
http://www.jewfaq.org/movement.htm, accessed April 14.

Differences between Conversions

The fundamental differences between Orthodox and non-Orthodox conversions are the way the sects interpret the Commandments. The Orthodox movement in Judaism believes that the Torah is the direct words of G-d, and that all 613 commandments must be abided by. Reform Judaism on the other hand believes it is the choice of the individual.
The conversion process for Orthodox Judaism takes a long time because in the initial stages, the Rabbis generally persuade people converting so that only those truly genuine about the conversion go through with it. If the rabbi agrees to oversee the conversion, the individual then must study and confirm he or she believes in the Torah and the commandments and will publicly observe Jewish Law. There are then two basic ceremonies in the conversion process. Men must undergo a mila (circumcision), and tevilah (an immersion in a ritual bath). These procedures must be overseen by a religious court of three people known as the Beit Din. To be considered a valid witness for the court, the individual must observe all Jewish laws, especially Shabbat. Orthodox Jews believe this is the only way a conversion can be done because we cannot change the way of the Torah.
In Reform Judaism, an individual, like in Orthodox Judaism, must study to decide if he or she indeed wants to convert. However, the convert is generally not required to have a mila, or tevilah, although they are allowed to if they choose so. Converts are not required to publicly observe all 613 commandments, but they are encouraged to join and participate in a synagogue to show they have concern for Jewish values. To officially convert to Reform Judaism once these steps and agreements have been made, one much declare orally and in writing in the presence of a rabbi and two other witnesses from the community that they accept the Jewish faith and plan to live in accordance to the commandments.
Orthodox Jews, from my understanding, do not feel they are better than reform Jews, and they do appreciate the sincerity of converts to others sects of the religion. However, Orthodox Jews feel much more obligated to follow the Torah as it is stated; they do not allow for as much room for interpretation. I respect that Orthodox Jews do not try to impose their believes on others. I also appreciate that they do not let just anyone join the religion. Even though I am not “Jewish enough” to be married, divorced or buried in Israel, I still take my religion very seriously and do not want just anyone converting to it. All converts should be genuine and truly observe Jewish values, something Orthodox Jews rightfully uphold. In my next blog, I would like to further explore differences between reform and orthodox Judaism, as well as why non-Orthodox converts are not able to be married in Israel.

Sources:
2007 “The Conversion Crisis.” Electronic Document,
http://rac.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=1740&pge_prg_id=8114&pge_id=2918, accessed April 2.

2008 “Conversion.” Electronic Document, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Conversion.html, accessed April 2.