tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18968172.post5161729906279257530..comments2023-11-03T01:13:22.719-07:00Comments on The Rabbi Is IN with Rabbi Rami: Why Are Jews LiberalsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18968172.post-45501498391355644192009-09-16T08:43:40.415-07:002009-09-16T08:43:40.415-07:00Shalom Rami,
Thank you for this. It prompted me t...Shalom Rami,<br /><br />Thank you for this. It prompted me to share my answer to the Jews/liberal question. It is on my blog and I would welcome comments and corrections.<br /><br />http://rabbidonaldrossoff.wordpress.com/<br /><br />Shanah tovah to all!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11588923198068033413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18968172.post-76192029961923067142009-09-11T10:31:39.135-07:002009-09-11T10:31:39.135-07:00American Jews tend to be educated pragmatists. We...American Jews tend to be educated pragmatists. We seek the truth and justice for all, at all costs (one reason why the Kennedy's always had Jewish support). We have a deep (sometimes hidden) sense of identity and community, even when we are reluctant to admit it. Because of thousands of years of persecution, we have a keen sense for anti-semitism, and other forms of racism. Therefore, we tend to vote for the candidates that reflect those "core" human values. Since Richard Nixon exploited the cultural wars for his own benefit, the Republican Party no longer represents those values. The Democrats may not be perfect, but, they're all we have. Barack Obama is certainly a step in the right direction, in terms of honoring "true" Judeo-Christian ideals, as well as, what I consider to be "real" American values; ie., Truth, Honesty, and Integrity.<br /><br />IanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07618934799087434783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18968172.post-82746763585920272032009-09-08T11:58:29.418-07:002009-09-08T11:58:29.418-07:00Thanks for the quick reactions. Just a couple of c...Thanks for the quick reactions. Just a couple of comments:<br /><br />Jim comments on the Republican Parties resistance to civil rights (as well as Social Security, Medicare, etc) is on target. Jews are usually in favor of such things, and we benefit from such things. This is the hole in the Commentary argument about Jews voting conservative. The authors have conveniently avoided any mention of racism, Jim Crow, and anti-Semitism among certain elements of the Conservative Movement. Take MSNBC's Pat Buchanan, for example. He was (is?) terribly anti-Israel and is now a stalwart of Conservatism.<br /><br />And Barry also raises good points. While it is true that liberal Jews read Torah to reflect liberal values (I know I do), it is also true that, if we are honest, no where in the past thousands of years have Jews supported same-sex marriage or abortion except to save the life of the mother. <br /><br />As for a bar mitzvah with pork and shrimp, I have to wonder what mitzvah this bar is going to uphold? But that is what some of the commentators were saying, Judaism is dying if not dead for most Jews. <br /><br />But I was shocked to learn that Jews don't stone wayward sons. I hope my son doesn't read this.Rabbi Ramihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07549679279782491931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18968172.post-78764774711709334572009-09-08T11:08:35.852-07:002009-09-08T11:08:35.852-07:00I disagree that conservative Christians are closer...I disagree that conservative Christians are closer to Torah values on abortion, homosexuality and same-sex marriage than liberals. Abortion is allowed in Judaism. We don't go by straight-forward readings of Torah anyway- no one stones their disobedient child, for instance. Most Jews today don't follow even the top 10: keeping Sabbath, honoring parents and prohibiting adultery. And I just attended a mariachi- themed bar mitzvah with pork and shrimp. Gay-marriage is only an issue because Republicans know they can whip up the proles with it. Most Jews recognize this as a Nazi-like tactic and shun them. "Torah values" is just Republican way to attract Jews. If they really believed in Torah values they would feed the poor , demand rights for workers, and make sure everyone has health-care. That'll happen.Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10895825111070588799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18968172.post-62097588667557374472009-09-08T10:21:45.305-07:002009-09-08T10:21:45.305-07:00Rami,
It is my opinion that for me and most of my ...Rami,<br />It is my opinion that for me and most of my fellow Jews there is sufficient material and career success that supporting the right is not necessary from the standpoint of self interest, while lining up with the side supporting justice for all appeals to our highest ideals. Current-day Republicans, as I see them, are not just business-friendly but are the same crowd that were opposed to civil rights just a few years ago if not still. If that crowd got enough power, I could see a rise in antisemitism which would reject even their own most fervent Jewish supporters, especially if a scapegoat for economic hardship seemed needed by the power elite.Jim Wellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00097604997709072572noreply@blogger.com