Comments for Route 17

Comment on Avi Weiss - Like Butch Cassidy In Bolivia by me

me — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:41:26 +0000

agudah and rca are right

Comment on Avi Weiss - Like Butch Cassidy In Bolivia by AviH

AviH — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:07:09 +0000

Kudos to Mr.Mark for brilliantly encapsulating the HIR members dilemna. Being in R’ Avi’s shul is always exciting. Unlike most other Rabbis, his monthly address (–he’s often in the field–)is usully less a semon than a dramatic monologue.’There is always emotion,often song,capped by the hugs (no handshakes) for the men afterwards. He may not be a great decisor but he is a world class speaker and persuader. I listened to his talk about the rabba and was convinced–nay seduced–by his smooth oratory that all was going to be OK. But then the recent Aguda statement brought me back to the harsh reality that I was a member of a non-orhodox shul despte R’ Weiss’s “superficial” change of Rabba back to Maharat. (Ah, the old days of Maharat. Nobody knew what it was and R’ Avi and Sara could do whatever they wanted.) He’s a rebel without a cause when its hip to be square. The wars for freedom for African Americans, for Jews, and for Women have largely been won. The really real struggle is how to deal with the fruits of victory. Instead of using his formidable talents to stick it to the halachic ‘Man’, he could try to lead the revival of modern orthodoxy. He could start by persuading my teenage daughters how authentic modern orthodoxy can bring traditional structure to the chaotic modern world.

Comment on Avi Weiss - Like Butch Cassidy In Bolivia by Chayim

Chayim — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:14:29 +0000

Very informative article,excellent.
I as a Chareidi Jew from Brooklyn was puzzled why Avi Weiss has nothing better to do than risk his whole congregation for making silly waves with an issue that endangers Judaism. I think pressure needs to be brought on his financial supporters like Howard Jonas that changing Torah ideals is a slippery slope. To be classified as a non orthodox congregation is very scary especially when its done by heavy weight Rosh yeshivas and Rabbis.
I would say to Avi WAKE UP. Dont mess up now after a life of Jewish activism.

Comment on Agudah: Avi’s Shul No Longer Orthodox by Woodrow

Woodrow — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:15:20 +0000

Not sure I understand the analogy between Das Torah and Avi Weiss. My impression is that Das Torah involves rabbis making statements beyond halacha (e.g. telling congregants how to vote), while Weiss is making a (admittedly extreme in the context of Orthodoxy) halachic judgment for his congregation. Am I missing something here?

Comment on The Wolf Moon and The Snow Moon by Henry

Henry — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:03:43 +0000

More good and free stuff ! Thanks !

Comment on Avi Weiss - Like Butch Cassidy In Bolivia by abe

abe — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:19:08 +0000

Women cannot be rabbis because they don’t LOOK rabbinic. In fact, the rabbis of the other sects of Judaism look like cartoon characters with their skull caps and their talises.

Our religion isn’t a fad; it was handed down in its present form and should remain in its present form.

Comment on Agudah: Avi’s Shul No Longer Orthodox by abe

abe — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:14:52 +0000

The right word is Conservadox. Or half-assed.

There is a lot of Al Sharpton in Avi Weiss.

Comment on Kanefsky: The 10-Year Solution by abe

abe — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:10:53 +0000

There is no such thing as a female rabbi. Period.

We can’t just make it up as we go along. That’s the province of the Reformists.

Comment on Avi Weiss - Like Butch Cassidy In Bolivia by yctrabbi

yctrabbi — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:48:39 +0000

Its been very upsetting reading this article and unfortunate the Orthodox world is not ready to accept women as rabbis. Just wanted to state that I am graduate of YCT and I fully support ANYTHING Rabbi Weiss chooses to do. Of course I need to hide behind anonymous posts to do so…

Comment on Avi Weiss - Like Butch Cassidy In Bolivia by Aabye Felderstein

Aabye Felderstein — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:24:36 +0000

RCA-member and other orthodox rabbis admit that the ordination of women is not barred halachically; rather they believe the time isn’t right or that there are cultural impediments. (Even the Agudah statement did not reference halacha — only tradition and mesorah). What I don’t understand is are our leaders Rabbis or sociologists? Will modern orthodox rabbis stand behind what they truly (and secretly) believe in or cave in the name of a short-sighted understanding of public policy. Very scary stuff. I would be worried if I had to appeal to these rabbis for a serious personal matter. They have lost a certain moral bearing in my view. Sometimes it’s the job of a Rabbi to take an unpopular posiiton. R. Avi Weiss made a diificult choice and has done more than anyone on this issue. Be he cannot do this alone. Where are the rabbis he trained? Where are the members of the rabbinic organization he and others founded? Why do they care what the Agudah or RCA says? If the RCA refuses to take the halachic side of this issue, what good are they?