Reply To: Centrist Orthodoxy, and the English Language

Sam, I don’t think I’m exaggerating what they say.

I think the only thing I can be accused of is extrapolating from the writings of the talmidim what the rebbeim hold. But I think that is fair, since they are in a large way using the talmidim to say the things they are afraid to say.

I also have significant exposure to their ideologies by way of personal relationships and facebook. Which is stuff that is not in the public eye completely, but I think my conclusions are sound even just on the basis of op-eds, blog posts, and other public writings.

You might also read a piece published last week or so titled “Should I Thank God for Not Making Me a Woman?” by another of their clowns who also happens to be a founder of Uri l’tzedek. The latter piece is somewhat more subtle about the allegation, but it is clear if you know what to look for.

So for example, the latter piece’s thesis is to substitute a different meaning for shelo asani isha; specifically, that the bracha is because practically he thinks being a woman stinks. He writes that he insists on saying the bracha even if it needs a different meaning because “As a committed Orthodox Jew, I have accepted the entirety of halacha — the Jewish path of law and tradition — upon myself.”

But then in the next paragraph he writes: “Written by male rabbis nearly 2,000 years ago, these words evoke for me the sexism too prevalent in the Orthodox world and beyond… Do I want any part of that sexism? No.”

I don’t think this is ambiguous. Chevron Step one, for the win.

Please, I would very much like to be wrong about them.