Q: Why are you so liberal, if you are an Orthodox Jew?
A :
If commentators want a 'party line' blog, a media marketing shop window ,a propaganda site, or an echo chamber on the faith or any other subject, then I can recommend some places, but this won't be the place for you. I do not consider myself to be a liberal politically, but centre-right conservative in the classical sense of western literature, especially British (not American) political tradition. When it comes to Israel I am a Zionist, but not a militant. When it comes to religion I am Orthodox. I wouldn't ever consider myself to be anything other. My ethics, religious outlook, observance & Hashkafa are all steeped in traditional Orthodox Judaism, The Torah & The Hebrew Bible generally, especially that of the ethos of the Sephardim. This does not mean I am not capable of self-criticism or taking a stand on a issue which goes against majority opinion. To wit, I think this quote from Benjamin Disraeli springs to mind :
“I am a Conservative to preserve all that is good in our constitution, a Radical to remove all that is bad. I seek to preserve property and to respect order, and I equally decry the appeal to the passions of the many or the prejudices of the few.”
which you can adapt accordingly :
"I am Orthodox to preserve all that is good in our tradition. A radical to remove all that is bad. I seek to uphold Torah and to respect tradition and I equally decry the appeal to the passions of the many or the prejudices of the few"
Good response to the question. I'm an out and out liberal and Orthodox. I think it is bollocks to say you can't hold a faith and a political view that is only just conservative or conservative political parties. They do a lot of good, but they emphasise social conservatism when it is convenient, but forget the rest of the Jewish (or for that matter Christian) message when it comes to social responsibility, food banks and the like.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I prefer the British model where social matters are legislated not via a party whip, but personal conscience. I don't think I would like to see a situation as in the states where this becomes a matter of ideological significance.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteI like your explanations !
In that sense America is more europeanised in her political system than used to be the case 30 or 40 years ago.
ReplyDeleteYou are clearly a liberal fanatic, who endorses gay rights, socialism and are a denier of the Torah!
ReplyDeleteThis blog is extreme end RWinger Zionism. The gay sister bit is irrelevant. The still adhere to a bronze age deity and the backwardness of the Old Testament.
ReplyDeleteThis guy is a raving pro-homosexualist, Christ hating, liberal, no doubt about it.
ReplyDeleteNo, he a pro-Obama, Christ hating, liberal, feminist socialist idiot!
ReplyDeleteROFL!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I like this blog.
ReplyDeleteSee comment that I made above.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Whilst it is true we don't have a problem with gays and we are not Christians, we are not all liberal and it doesn't automatically mean that we have Christians. Therefore you clearly don't know my bro or any of us very well then, do you?
ReplyDeleteNo it isn't, it is on the centralist -moderate end of Orthodoxy.
ReplyDelete"No, he a pro-Obama, Christ hating, liberal, feminist socialist idiot!"
ReplyDeleteSorry, I can't stop laughing. I've got to go outside.
True. The Southern Democrats were ultra conservatives, who supported the new deal in return for no interference in the 'social structure' of the south.
ReplyDeleteDidn't last though. Nixon strategy and all that. Besides which- ludicrous situation of having an ultra conservative wing attached to a very left wing political party. But I do love the paradox of US political history.
ReplyDelete