In which I decide

[taratemima]

. . .to own my own opinion.

I guess I was worried that I am opening up to a lot of snark about being an loudmouth and not even Jewish yet to boot.



"I am less fond of political arguments, which seem to consist of merely belittling the other side without providing any substantiation."

I am even less fond of the prevailing idea that the only way to be Jewish is neo-conservative. If I am not hearing from Ben Sharpiro, I am hearing from some of the posters on the comm.

Memo to all involved. I think a lot of ideas within American conservatism contradicts a lot, if not all, Jewish teachings. I am sure that you feel that some ideas within American liberalism contradicts some Jewish teachings, but I much rather have half a loaf than a crumb. It is a lot easier to become a neo-conservative than a Jew, and if I wanted to be a neo-con, I would do that without being Jewish. Conversely, there are a lot of thoughtful left-leaning Jewish people, as well as thoughtful right-leaning Jewish people.

I have not made up my mind about Dean, I am waiting and seeing. I will also be continuing to think long about what religious path I want to follow, and try to ignore posts that assume that any Israeli that disagrees with arm-chair realists must be 'really' Palestinian.

If you disagree with a co-religionist, debate the merits, not whether they are 'really' your co-religionist.

riba_rambles replied:

"I think a lot of ideas within American conservatism contradicts a lot, if not all, Jewish teachings"

I agree. Particularly the modern strain of neocons. Setting aside MidEast issues, railing against the poor and homeless as undeserving of help directly conflicts with Jewish obligations of tzedakah, including such beliefs as:

"Judaism acknowledges that many people who ask for charity have no genuine need. In fact, the Talmud suggests that this is a good thing: if all people who asked for charity were in genuine need, we would be subject to punishment (from G-d) for refusing anyone who asked. The existence of frauds diminishes our liability for failing to give to all who ask, because we have some legitimate basis for doubting the beggar's sincerity."

Then again, I take some comfort in this post:

"the Talmud (Yevamot 79a) cites this verse when
it declares that there are three distinguishing
features of the Jewish people, the descendants of
Abraham: they are modest, they are merciful, and they
do acts of kindness. "Anyone who has these qualities,"
the Talmud goes on to say, "is fit to join the Jewish
people"."

I think I got a lot to work on, particularly the mercy and the consistent application of kindness and modesty. I want to, though.