Which is a statement that I strongly suspect could be made about you, as well.
As to your claim of the circular argument, I find it historically lacking. The Jewish trdition certainly looks to the Talmud to explain why they follow certain paths, but I have never heard the answer to any (deeply asked) question to be “Because that is what we do” or “Becuase it says so in the Talmud or Tanakh.” Instead, I see examples of people looking to the principles laid out in the Tanakh and to the discussions laid out in the Talmud to discover why a certain practice is followed, and then applying the principles or the logic discerned to the current situation. Any review of Jewish history will show that it has been one of constant change. The change has been slower than in some societies (that are no longer here) and it may have been more controlled than in some societies (that are no longer here), but it has been inexorable and continuous.
I think that’s often an excellent way to go about things. I respect others and remain faithful to my wife because it’s what I do. It’s unthinkable for me to do otherwise.
First of all, it’s not just any two types of cloth…it’s just wool and linen that are banned. Secondly, Conservative and Reform Judaism both believe that there isn’t a prohibition against wearing mixed fabric. However, you have found two commandments for which the reasons aren’t spelled out. However, people have come up with reasons for them, throughout the years.
You appear to want to argue that they should change “just because,” but you have never provided a reason why they should. If keeping a sence of solidarity and cohesion works for them, why does it bother you so much? Given that they have been more successful in survivng that other groups, perhaps you should be asking what others can do to follow their inspiring lead.
My initial response was to your claim that they did not change or changed too slowly. It would appear that your only genuine complaint is that they have actually survived.
The reason is my belief system and the way I was raised. How is this any different from religion? The first part of your question is a bit backwards. “doing otherwise would be unthinkable.”
Well, what I think the OP is trying to ask is…
why should Jews survive? meaning, what do they bring to the cultural “table” so to speak that gives them worth to society and the world as a whole? Why are they unique? What meaning do they have? Why are they special?
This is not say that they have more of a right to survive than any other group, of course. Not by any means.
We survive because we want to. We stay as we are because we like what we are. We don’y “bring” anything to the world - we are the world, or at least part of it.
Monty, Zev’s last question was directed at patternagainstuser, not myself.
I’m no more opposed to Judaism than I am to any other culture, religion, or ethnicity. That doesn’t logically mean I’m not opposed… just not more than against anything else.
So, what are you talking about when you talk about Jews? Chassidic, Yeshivish or Charedi, orthodox, modern orthodox, ultra-orthodox? Reform, conservative, conservadox,secular, messanic? Just the Ashkenzani or do the Shepardim get to play too?
So now it’s only certain flavors of Jews that contribute junk? :dubious:
