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Thought provoking. To paraphrase to ensure I understand correctly, the meaning is the significance of the rule being another result of debate or decree, either
by NeedMoreTea 7y ago
Thought provoking. To paraphrase to ensure I understand correctly, the meaning is the significance of the rule being another result of debate or decree, either of which prod the community to face in the same direction. Whether or not it appears to make sense is somewhat secondary to preserving and strengthening the coherence of the community (c.f. Papal decree and infallibility)?
As an atheist of Protestant heritage I've wondered on the secret sauce of religion that brings the obviously stronger sense of community, as it appears to run deeper than faith, and whether there are ways to achieve that in a secular context. Perhaps particularly difficult in an era when individual choice and consumerism is promoted as paramount. :)
- jrochkind1 7y agoI mean, that's one way I've been thinking about it, yeah... whether how many religiously observant Jews would think about it that way or not, I don't know. :) But Jewish practice generally/traditionally is really big on "community" as a focus and priority, and religiously observant Jews would agree that's so, in general, I think. They would of course probably say that the reason they do things the way they do, though, is because God said so, the end. But as outside "sociologists" or "anthropologists" we can have our own interpretations, although perhaps it's rude. But then, for some interesting additional anthropology, I know increasing numbers of atheist/agnostic Jews, not from Orthodox communities, who I think have attitudes toward Jewish practice along the lines we are talking about...