The world is home to Jews of all types: We have haredim, seculars, national-religious Jews, traditional Jews, and confused Jews. Yet the images of Breslov Hassidim with their eyes covered at the airport may indicate that a new and surprising Jewish stream is growing here – the blind Jews.
Haredi Judaism is a byproduct of the Enlightenment movement – detachment from modern Judaism in order to preserve the old ways. For years, the haredim attempted to distinguish themselves from the other Jews, to dwell alone, yet they understood that they are nonetheless part of the larger family – the family of Judaism. It may be a split, divided family (and too frequently so,) yet nonetheless, it’s family.
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Burqa for men? Not even! A burqa is meant to conceal a woman's face/figure from the others when this thing is concealing others from one's eyes!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry, but I simply do not get this kind of behavior....and no, I do NOT have to respect it or "understand" it. It amost seems self-indulgent, as though they must show the world how pious they are.
ReplyDeleteAn attempt to convey piety by dress. Same as niqab wearer superior to hijab wearer, burqa wearer superior to both. Who needs to live a good life when it can be signalled.
ReplyDeleteA bit like patriotism in the US - bigger flags, more flags, more patriotic.
That was quite a stretch there, to inject a bit of old-fashioned anti-Americanism, but by golly, Pickering...er I mean, Jemmy, Tonight, old man, You did it! You did it!
ReplyDelete<span> That was quite a stretch there, to inject a bit of old-fashioned anti-Americanism, but by golly, Pickering...er... I mean, Jemmy, Tonight, old man, You did it! You did it!</span>
ReplyDeleteYes vza, the mighty USA trembles at my words. If I keep this up the world's most powerful nation will surely collapse.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: what is it with Americans and flags? Why can't a politician make a satement without one, or preferably a bank of them, behind him.
Question 2: who or what is Pickering? Is it an American swearword?
<span>Question 2: who or what is Pickering? Is it an American swearword?</span>
ReplyDelete:-D
<span><span>Pickering, Tonight, old man, You did it! You did it!</span></span>
The line is from the song, You Did it! from My Fair Lady.
<span>Question 1: what is it with Americans and flags?</span>
ReplyDeleteFor ordinary Americans, I don't think it is anything very difficult to understand. Simple love of country and the flag is a symbol of the country. I know that is not fashionable and is often sneered at, but really, what is wrong with it? I fail to see why that would bother anyone.
I have read that the flag really became important and popular as a result of the horrors of the Civil War. "Old Glory", symbolized the unity for which the Union soldiers fought and died. Also, after waves of immigration and the diversity of the country's population and it massive size, the flag was and is a unifying icon.
As for why politician USE the flag as a backdrop, well really, do I need to answer that? For all the usual cynical reasons they do everything else!
<span><span>Question 1: what is it with Americans and flags?</span>
ReplyDeleteFor ordinary Americans, I don't think it is anything very difficult to understand. Simple love of country and the flag is a symbol of the country. I know that is not fashionable and is often sneered at, but really, what is wrong with it? I fail to see why that would bother anyone.
I have read that the flag really became important and popular as a result of the horrors of the Civil War. "Old Glory", symbolized the unity for which the Union soldiers fought and died.</span>
<span> Also, because of the later waves of immigration creating the diversity of the population and the sheer size of the country of 50 very different states, the flag became a unifying icon.
As for why politicians USE the flag as a backdrop, well really, do I need to answer that? For all the usual cynical reasons they do everything else!</span>
Thanks for the clarification.
ReplyDeleteI still think Yanks overdo it with flags. I mean, they fly them outside of their homes as if they were some sort of military base.
I live in an historic landmark district of old homes (Old for the U.S.!) and most fly the flag on holidays. My neighbor also flies the Cross of St. Andrew , while the guy across from him also flies the Mexican flag! Maybe we are just flag crazy.
ReplyDeleteAustralia like the US is a flag country. It surprised me in the beginning as "patriotism" has a negative connotation in France and you don't see the flag around except on official buildings. I attribute this to the fact that a consensus exist among the French, and the Europeans at large, that the last two bloody wars were made possible by stirring the patriotic feeling crap among the populace..
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's about a relatively new nation with a large proportion of foreign-born citizens. The newcomers feel the need to display "outward signs of inward grace", while the more established citizens try to claim back the symbol they consider their own.
ReplyDeleteThe Israelis, another nation of immigrants prefer the Uzi as the indicator of their patriotism.