The Protestantization of Judaism

My friend Daniel Gordis in a recent piece refers to the Protestantization of  American Jewish life.  By this, he means a Judaism that emphasizes personal journey, personal spiritual growth, and personal meaning.   Even as I believe strongly in the power of these metaphors and experiences, I share Gordis’ concern.

I think of Princeton sociologist and one of the foremost experts on religion in America, Robert Wuthnow who has written widely on this subject.  Wuthnow suggests that the metaphor of “journey” has replaced the metaphor of “home” as the motivating animator of the religious, spiritual life.  Whereas once the home and all associated feelings and experiences was the place where the religious feeling was nurtured and shaped now the personal journey—leaving home to discover the true inner soulful self is the more powerful metaphor.

In Judaism we have strong associations with both.  Home is symbolized by the family table—the shulchan, where we gather for Shabbat, holidays and other celebrations.  This is where Jewish life is transmitted and most deeply felt.  This is where the songs are sung, the stories are told, the generations come together. We also have strong metaphors of journey—Abraham and Sarah, Moses, the entire Israelite people, Elijah, Jonah—just to name a few.

I think a strong Jewish community as well as an engaged Jewish self requires both a sense of home as well as a strong sense of personal journey.  If we do not feel rooted to our past, we are nothing.  If we are not ever in search of a better, deeper, promised land our homes become isolated and self serving.  A vibrant Judaism requires both historical continuity—a strong mooring to our people’s journey through history as well as an animated quest for meaning and discovery.  Then we need not fear the Protestantization of American Jewish life.

My first blog—

Several people have been asking me to start a blog for some time now.  I don’t really see myself as a blogger—but here goes my first.

The move to ban circumcision in San Francisco has gathered enough petition signatures to be included on the November ballot in that city.  The measure’s proponents claim to be acting out of ethical and humane interest as opponents of genital mutilation.  This web site link indicates at least some anti-Semites within their ranks-- http://pajamasmedia.com/tatler/2011/06/03/proof-that-s-f-s-circumcision-ban-is-anti-semitic/

My own feelings on circumcision as a Jewish ritual are very mixed. 

1. The claim of this ritual on our people’s psyche is very strong. It reaches back to our mythic biblical past.  It is a defining ritual—perhaps THE defining ritual.  Therein lays also part of the difficulty.
2. Circumcision as a Jewish ritual is intrinsically sexist.  If this is the rite that defines who is a full covenanted member of the Jewish people—no women need apply.
3. Medical evidence now seems to be neutral as to whether it is medically advisable or preferred.
4. There are strong moral qualms.  It is a form of genital mutilation that causes pain to the infant.

I therefore have a small degree of sympathy with those who would oppose this rite yet at the end of the day I stand strongly against the San Francisco movement. It would have government forbid the most ancient of religious practices.  How can this be a pressing item of concern in today’s America?