In looking at the lives of Jews from a sociological point of view, one must question as to where each jew derives his dignity and honor. Do they gather their belongings and ask for a new wardrobe in the springtime? Do you just wear the same situation day in day out?
I profess that one such as myself which I coin the term populist Jew gathers dignity and honor from my own sensibilities. Sensibility. What you do when you go to the closet and drawers and choose items to don in apparel for the occasion or for the day or for your home use.
I do not wish to aggreive my fellow jew, but I will profess that I can not see where one derives ones dignity and honor in the light of a situation which does not change day in day out.
I will profess that the black motif has been impressive. The rabbis look really well and authoritative in that motif. I will admit that the calling is clear and of course any jew looks good in a suit and tie; black coat not withstanding. But I will call you to the attention that there is no honor in looking 'good'. Just looking trustworthy.
I do profess that I admire the black coat and hat orthodox communities quite a bit. They are usually peaceful (though today that is changing in the streets of some of our communities), they support one another in many ways, they obviously are studious and adhere to Torah as they know they must do so, and they are completely in the capacity to think of their Creator and praise G-d as they do their business and go through their experiences and days. I must remark that there is a growing underserved class in the yeshiva system and there is always the child who goes 'off the derech' and is trouble for his family and community, in the light that they seem to view his or her indiscretions. There is learning and there are unfortunately distractions or perceived distractions. There are crusades against simple things that the general popultion of Klal Yisrael and the world take for common such as computers and cellular phones and the like. But of course, there is a prosperity among these people and they consume their lives in the service of our G-d as they think they see fit; though I will profess who is to know exactly our G-ds will at all times unless you completely understand Torah and its implications and its applications. That is always possible, but to think that each of these ultra orthodox chassidic jews has that capacity or that elevated level of learning is of course not authentic. There is a differentiantion among all peoples as to which one has the most innate Torah knowledge and which one is truly elevated at a higher spiritual plateau as well as who has completely at best perfected his own middos (characteristics). This is always possible for that is what Torah does for a Jewish mind or soul or being.
But of course, there is no perfection in a community and just dressing the same does not exactly denote that your community is perfected. I dare say that it might hide problems that may manifest in other ways. I will remark here that there is a poison about the method of treatment that is being used to conform our people to the makings of G-d and design of Torah Commandments. I am afraid that the truth lies in the fact that denying freedom of self expression leads to infirmity and self harm as well as disrepute among the community in the times you may pursue your own proclivities. Man was made with much variation from one to another. To look at a community and see the exact same expression is of the value of a wretched allowance of unripened fruit that will never ripen in totality. I realize that persons of the Jewish world in the insular communities claim that their expressions are their facial expressions, verbal expressions and speech. This is of course always true. But to the rest of the world whom you are not actively engaged in a personal contact experience, there is no expression and you are all a group of seeming automatons on a mission to adhere to a way of life that is not understood and not easily entered by the others of both Klal Yisrael as well as the general population.
I will suggest that this is a poison. It poisons the general public in some ways, though by education and sensitivy experiences, we are mostly aware of the changed expression of the ultra chassidic jew and we do not depend on trying to alter it in any way other than perhaps someone might smile at one another and say hello.
To me and please excuse my innocent claims of sociological assessment, this is the source of the dignity of the ultra orthodox chassidic jew. The poison that we exhibit in a sociological world is the direct embodiment of our own honor and dignity. It would be troubling to most of this world to be in a different method of dress and there is no "assimylation" among the persons of other jewish communities. The dress code is to the best of my observations always adhered to in many many ways in and out of the synagogue. I do not know the insides and outsides of the Chassidic movements and probably never will. In fact these writings I have offered today and some in the past will likely permanetly have me completely locked out of many social relationships if they are not received with the spirit that I am interested in improving the health of Klal Yisrael.
I can only hope for the best, put my faith in G-d and hope that my learning and my sensibilities guide me to a good element of trust and a postive experience. All of Klal Yisrael is designed to delight our Creator in all of its ways. G-d designed our people. G-d gave us our neshama and our personalities and our special light that is slightly different from person to person. Israel must endure and it will. And if I am here to serve the community at this stage in my lifetime as a physician with some insight into community health, please allow me to proceed in the commentaries I will continue on an ongoing basis on this blog.
With health and prosperity, I remain, a Soul that serves our Creator as best I know it possible.
Baruch Hashem.
Shalom Aleichem.
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