I know a Jewish educator who performs a particularly negative function. He stands on his position, and bates his congregants: what melachah is showering? Scitah? is the response. It doesn`t matter, is the reply, you don`t do it on shabbat.
One might say that a Rabbinic leader need not be a cheerleader, that they can be a drill-sergeant, but, that cheerleader or drill-sergeant, they both have the same goal, to motivate others to clear their obstacles.
Instead, the effective model adopted is that of king of the hill. We have a broad Jewish leadership which stands aloof and tries to knock everything else down.
That`s what Netanyahu is doing. The reason we acquiesce to this is because we have become accustomed to such a feckless posture.
What we need is a more modern perspective. Our Jewish leaders can reference the past, whether it`s sources, traditions, or habits, without channelling them. When we demand this of our leadership we will all be better off. |
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