Thursday, January 19, 2012

Who is Narrow Minded?

Question of the Week:

 

I don't want my children to be small-minded or fundamentalist, so I haven't given them a Jewish education. They have been brought up without any religion; they are free to choose whatever beliefs they like. I try to live by the words of John Lennon:

 

Imagine there's no countries / It isn't hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for / No religion too,
Imagine all the people / living life in peace...

 

Is there anything more important than that?

 

Answer: 

 

I admire your passion and idealism. You have obviously given some thought to your children's moral future, which is a credit to you. But I don't see how the philosophy you have espoused is any less closed-minded than fundamentalist religion.

 

You don't want to force your ideals on your children. But by denying them their spiritual heritage, you are forcing your ideals on them. They are missing the chance to explore their Jewish identities during their formative years. They didn't choose that, you did. You have decided their religion for them. They are Lennonists whether they like it or not.

 

And if that song is your bible, then they are being brought up in a much more closed-minded religion than Judaism.

 

You have only quoted one verse. But I think the last verse of the song is the most revealing. It proclaims a worldview as parochial and insular as the narrowest sect:

 

You may say I'm a dreamer / But I'm not the only one.

I hope someday you'll join us / And the world will live as one.

 

So, according to Lennonism there is "you" and there is "us". You are the unenlightened ones. We have found the truth. But hopefully one day you will see the light and become one of us too. Only then can the world finally live as one. Is that open-minded?

 

Contrast this with Judaism's view that not everyone has to be Jewish. A non-Jew can live a perfectly fulfilling and meaningful life while remaining a non-Jew. They don't have to join us to be considered a good person. If anything can make us truly live as one, it is the recognition that we are all created by the same G-d, but we don't all have to serve Him in the same way.

 

We each choose a value system to live by and to teach our children. Whether you call it religion or something else makes little difference - it is a particular way of looking at the world. Can you imagine a religion that teaches its children to be proud of who they are, but that not everyone has to be like them?

 

It's easy if you try.

 

Good Shabbos,

Rabbi Moss          

 

To subscribe email rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au

 

 

NEW KIDS EQUIPMENT

We received great community support to update our kids equipment.

 

Special thank you to the following people who helped make it happen:

Lynette Masters          Yamit Zelazne              Bev Kampel        Justine Romm

Jodie and Eli Ariel       Simone Gerry              Richard Pajor    

Noach and Keshet Kessel          Claude and Hassana Sandler

 

We hope to be able to further improve the children's facilities, all assistance appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marriage Preparation Course at Nefesh

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- Jewish wisdom on relationships

- The meaning behind the wedding ceremony

- The Power of the Mikvah

- Spiritual guide to love and marriage

- A deeper look at men and women

 

Three Tuesday nights, January 31st, February 7th and 14th

8:00 - 9:30pm at 128 Wellington St Bondi.

 

Course cost: $150 per couple (free for Nefesh members), includes separate Mikvah class for brides

 

To register please click HERE or email office@nefesh.com.au

NEFESH SERVICES - 54 Roscoe St Bondi Beach 

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Friday night

Candlelighting 7:50pm (not before 6:40pm)

 

Mincha 6:10pm

 

Shabbos Service 6:30pm followed by Kiddush in honour of the yarzheit of Joan Irving, Chana bas Yesse, sponsored by her children Peter Irving and Libby Moss - Long Life.

 

Shabbos day

9am Class on Weekly Parsha

10am -12:15pm Morning Service with Kids' program followed by Kiddush sponsored by Larry and Ashlyn Diamond in honour of the birth of their son Levi Jay - Mazal Tov!

Shiur 6:50pm

Mincha 7:50pm followed by Seudah Shlishis and Maariv

Shabbos ends 8:49pm

 

Sunday

8am Shachris followed by breakfast and beginners' Talmud 9:00-9:45am

 

Monday

Shachris 7am followed by Chassidus

 

Wednesday Rosh Chodesh Shevat

Shachris 7am

 

Thursday (Public Holiday)

Shachris 8am

 

This email was sent to shmuly77d@gmail.com by rabbimoss@nefesh.com.au |  
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