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Avi's Spiritual and Religious Journey - Part 2

Avi1001

Avi1001

reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
Excellent post. Lets discuss in more detail:

Levite said:
....I don't care in the sense that I don't find his [Kaplan's] teaching relevant or useful. I read his major works for my Modern Jewish Thought classes in rabbinical school. I think he was brilliant, certainly, but unable to escape his narrow context. I definitely do not think he was one of the greatest minds of the 20th century, nor one of the greatest rabbis of the 20th century.

I think he is completely bound to his post-Enlightenment/modernist thought context. He is interested exclusively in seeing Judaism anthropologically, and "modernizing" it in order to fit in better in the brave new world of the early 20th century. He is completely enmeshed in the materialist rationalism of that time, and has zero feeling for spirituality, which he seems to dismiss entirely as archaic superstition. He has an entirely utilitarian approach to Jewish thought and observance, save perhaps for a few basic concessions to traditional ritual practice-- something akin to sentimentality.

His idea that God is essentially symbolic, or the name we give to positive collective action, is ridiculous. It is completely and utterly incompatible with any traditional theology, or even most esoteric theologies. Without covenant, without a relationship to an actual God, Judaism is merely a folkway, one set of ethical frameworks amidst a crowded world of ethical frameworks: there is nothing in Kaplanian Reconstructionism to demonstrate why a Jew should practice Judaism, and not any other nominally effective moral system. Nothing in his theology offers any compelling motivation to observe mitzvot, to pray, or to study Torah, beyond the most insubstantial declarations that these are part of our folkway and thus deserving of preservation.

Even the Reconstructionism of Arthur Green, whom I disagree with mightily, is more compelling and effective than Kaplan. Green, at least, has a feeling for spirituality, and some vision of an actual God, even if his God is far too impersonal for my theological preferences.

You think everyone one micrometer to the right of you is too conservative. I'm not sure I can think of anyone who wouldn't be too conservative for you and yet still be Jewish.

Kaplan was a radical. Rav Ovadiah was also radical, just in a different direction. While I disagreed with the man 100% on politics and general social thought, there is no denying that he was a scholar of phenomenal proportions. His piskei halachah [legal decisions] in his responsa in Yabia Omer, Yechaveh Daat, and Yalkut Yosef are brilliant work, and often surprisingly flexible and lenient.
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Kaplan's utilitarian approach to Judaism is completely rational. In fact, I believe that is his strength as a rabbi and scholar. He does not bend and sway with the rest of the Orthodox and Conservative rabbis...he is a true scholar.

Of course, Kaplan is right on target viewing Judaism anthropologically...indeed, Judaism is a civilization. Anyone who disagrees with this...is too conservative. And "modernizing" Judaism is a great goal...we must remove the anthropomorphic view that Orthodox and Conservatives retain.
 
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Sha'irullah

Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
Avi1001 said:
How so, Sha...Jews come in all flavors and colors....what is puzzling ??
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Well, I am more concerned with how you are looked upon by other Jews. I am sure that many Jews must feel that you are a traitor of some sort considering so much of Jewish culture is expressed through religion. Jews unite under one god and celebrate only one god yet you have none.
I am trying to conceptualize how you and other view yourself because you seem so un-Jewish to outsiders like me
 
Avi1001

Avi1001

reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
Sha'irullah said:
Well, I am more concerned with how you are looked upon by other Jews. I am sure that many Jews must feel that you are a traitor of some sort considering so much of Jewish culture is expressed through religion. Jews unite under one god and celebrate only one god yet you have none.
I am trying to conceptualize how you and other view yourself because you seem so un-Jewish to outsiders like me
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Yes...the Orthodox and Conservative Jews of the DIR are unhappy with me...and did their best to have me swallowed by whales ;). Fortunately, I did not fall into their jaws. Please keep in mind though, Sha, that I am indeed a theist...I am a reform Jew....so I believe in G-d. However, my views are syncretic...so I also believe concepts of Jewish Humanism (atheism), Jewish agnosticism, Jewish Classical Reform, Jewish Reconstructionism and Jewish Renewal. You might have to look these up, Sha. Then we can discuss further...:D
 
Flankerl

Flankerl

Well-Known Member
Sha'irullah said:
Well, I am more concerned with how you are looked upon by other Jews. I am sure that many Jews must feel that you are a traitor of some sort considering so much of Jewish culture is expressed through religion. Jews unite under one god and celebrate only one god yet you have none.
I am trying to conceptualize how you and other view yourself because you seem so un-Jewish to outsiders like me
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The now inactive Caladan is a Jewish Atheist and always was one of the most respected Jews on the Forum.

It's not about that.
 
Avi1001

Avi1001

reform Jew humanist liberal feminist entrepreneur
Flankerl said:
The now inactive Caladan is a Jewish Atheist and always was one of the most respected Jews on the Forum.

It's not about that.
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This is a computer generated response.....this poster is on "ignore", and will not be responded to. No additional response will follow.
 
Levite

Levite

Higher and Higher
Avi1001 said:
Excellent post. Lets discuss in more detail:



Kaplan's utilitarian approach to Judaism is completely rational. In fact, I believe that is his strength as a rabbi and scholar. He does not bend and sway with the rest of the Orthodox and Conservative rabbis...he is a true scholar.

Of course, Kaplan is right on target viewing Judaism anthropologically...indeed, Judaism is a civilization. Anyone who disagrees with this...is too conservative. And "modernizing" Judaism is a great goal...we must remove the anthropomorphic view that Orthodox and Conservatives retain.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is an excellent representation of why Kaplan is ineffective and sterile.
 
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