Posted by:
elderolddog
(
)
Date: June 23, 2018 07:29PM
Your Temple Sister inferred that Orthodox Jews 'shun' or at least ignore non-Orthodox Jews, including family. Nothing in my limited 'popular novel' readings ever indicated this.
Here's a response on Quora regarding what it means to be an 'ordinary' Modern Orthodox Jew.
"Ari Ben-Melech, I am Jewish. I study Torah and Tamud, as well as Jewish history.
Updated Sep 9, 2016
"It is the basis for everything I do. From my 8th day of life (circumcision) to being a Bar Mitzvah, it surrounds everything I do. I am Modern Jewish Orthodox and male. I wear a white shirt, black trousers, a black jacket, black kippah and black tie to Shul and Torah study. It's respectful. When I work I usually wear brighter shirts and ties. I collect kippot so I wear a different on all the time. Right now I am wearing one with a scuba diver on it, that matches my blue shirt and patterned tie. My Tzitzit (strings) hang outside my trousers. I am, without a doubt, Jewish at first glance. I eat kosher. I celebrate Jewish holidays. I celebrate Shabbat.
"During the summer I might be found swimming, walking to the pool in flip-flops, board shorts and a t shirt. I wear ball caps quite often so at that time, I am not obviously Jewish which would be quite the contrast from when I am walking to Shul.
"However, beyond all of that, Judaism permeates my soul. I wake up thanking G-d and go to sleep thanking G-d. I thank G-d numerous times throughout the day. I daven Shacharit, Mincha and Maariv. I say other very small prayers at other times throughout the day.
"I am Israeli and American and a proud Zionist. I donate money to Israeli charities and the IDF. I try to perform many different Mitzvot throughout the day but sometimes I fail miserably. I try to live by Torah but sometimes find myself facing my own words of deeds that were not based in Torah but my faith lets me examine myself and try to improve. For instance, we are to respect and honor our parents. At 13 to about 18, I failed miserably. Yet, I had understanding parents and the moments I failed, I learned something.
"I live by the 613 Mitzvit. Though, to be sure, some do not apply to me such as “do not delay paying a hired man his his wages” because I don’t employ anyone. I am not a farmer, judge, butcher so some do not apply due to my occupation but might apply to others. Some, I would have no trouble following regardless, such as “do not eat winged Insects”; I wasn't planning on it. I do, however, put on Tefillin, pray before eating or drinking, and I don't mix milk and meat. I don't wear clothing made of both wool and linen. Some, like the commandment to not bear a grudge is hard for me and is something I constantly work on.
"So, in reality I cannot compare it to anything as I have always been an Orthodox Jew and I attended Orthodox schools and Orthodox Shuls. However, I can say that I have a wonderful life and I think Torah and Orthodox Judaism makes it wonderful."
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https://www.quora.com/What-is-an-orthodox-Jewish-lifestyle-likeThe interesting tidbit, for me, is that Orthodoxy requires living by the Torah. And from other readings, not just picking and choosing what parts of the Torah to observe. There is no Cafeteria Orthodoxy. And as he mentions, he didn't always 'honor his father and his mother...'
So now I'm wondering, how would consciously not honoring your parents fly in Orthodox Judaism? And what knowledge, if any, do you have about your daughter's relationship with her father?
ETA cited website URL
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/23/2018 08:39PM by elderolddog.