Liberal, Moi?

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" 

Black hats, Fedoras, Borsolinos

Q: Are you really a  black hatter ?

I do have a collection of broad rimmed black Borsolinos & Fedoras. No it is not a piss take. I will tell you a story.  When I was young and at university, I was somewhat off the path. But, I had met a girl. I fancied her, but thought she didn't have any feelings for me. This was my wife to be, a Hasidic, who was somewhat rebellious herself (how do you think she got to university?). In order to spend time with her, in some desperate attempt to, I dunno, chat her up, I got myself invited to an all night Torah study session on Shovuos, that she was attending.

But I didn't have a Kippah, having left it accidentally at home, due to my rebellious nature.  Thankfully, my wife to be had already solved the problem my knitting me a Kippah and brought me a present, a wide brimmed Fedora. After my face had gone beetroot red, I fumbled with the Kippah and it stayed on. She then gently put the Fedora on my head and said 'that looks better Dov', kissed me on the cheek and whispered in my ear 'sexy'.  From then on we were a couple. Happy memories, which I'll keep with me forever & the start of my return to the Orthodox fold. Incidentally my second wife also likes me wearing black hats. I should have become a hat model.