Thursday, February 17, 2011
Torah Dissident
I was asked to leave the orthodox jewish synagogue in my location and never return. My transgression? I spoke out on 2 occasions when I was egregiously offended by the conduct of another participant. Neither of these persons was Torah observant and neither was a regular person. The first I addressed politely. The second of the two, I spoke harshy after I was indeed myself spoken to with a flippant and arrogant manner from the other. I do not regret my commentary and in the same circumstance would have felt Torah required me to do the exact same thing. I can only say that it is disapointing that we must place decorum above Torah values. I do not in any way or occasion feel that I violated Torah and I feel that my comments were justified. I had previous to this been attending synagogue regularly and felt that I was a strong participant in our daily worship. I am aggreived at this example of restricted learning and restricted expression. I do not believe that it is Torah observant to allow improper conduct to exist in a synagogue on a routine basis. I am not one to consider myself a muckracker, rabble rouser, dissident or fool. I must admit that I have been unable to say kaddish or hear kaddish now for several months. I do have the possibility to travel to a distant location to participate, but have only to date gone one time. I feel aggreived. I have on a few occasions put on tefillin at home and done a cursory breif prayer service in my own home. It does help. I was used to visiting the synagogue probably 4 times a week or so. I had quit going on shabbas since last March as I felt that it violated Shabbas. I do not agree that torah was held fast in this instance and though I will not approach the synagogue, I do remain hopeful that at some time in likely the distant future, this situation will be rectified. I stand fast to my beliefs. I do not consider a breach in decorum to be a malevolent crime or a wanton sin, only if it is done without Torah or the greater good in mind. Please those who may read this, keep those who may not be adhering to Torah in this circumstance in your thoughts and prayers and say a refuah shleimiah for those involved. This is not the way that I believe a healthy community would conduct its affairs. Baruch Hashem!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment