Misconceptions about Judaism

Today, I again saw a gaggle of Jews for Jesus on my way to work. Unfortunately, as with all things, this second encounter was not nearly as upsetting. Perhaps, now reawakened to their program of proselytism, I am now inoculated from the harm. I am still disturbed by their behavior and their message. At the very least I was glad to see them inside the turnstyles - at least they had to pay a little bit of money to circulate their shrift.

Identifying themselves at all, however vague, is better than other "Messianic Jews", like Sid Roth of It's Supernatural! TV infamy, who hide their true intentions.¹ Last autumn, my father-in-law and wife were lucky enough, presumably only for having the lucky coincidence of a Jewish last name and Russian first name, to receive a free book from this creep: They Thought for Themselves. Nowhere on the cover, summary, acknowledgments, anywhere except in the text itself does Roth's Christian prerogative become clear. Preying upon those without strong ties to their own traditions, Roth uses anecdotes of a few unfortunate compatriots who suffered under the Soviets and instead of returning to Judaism were led astray by Roth and his spawn. Its a cruel melange to insult Jews and Judaism for not "thinking for themselves" while advocating Christianity in its stead.

A typical misconception about Judaism (often purported by Christianity as a means of comparison) is that of a stern religion of rules given by a "law & order" G-d of wrath and vengeance. This line of attack lends itself easily to the Jews for Jesus & Sid Roths of the world to try to target those who may not fully know or understand all the rules. Instead, with a slight of hand, they propose a "simpler" regime where all one has to do is act ethically, not learn a bunch of rules about rituals which can no longer be done or the intricacies of how not to boil a calf in its mother's milk or pray in a particular way at a particular time. Certainly, there is some truth to this characterization of Judaism - it is much more practice-based than faith-based; however it is dangerous to let this generalization run wild.

In this week's parashah, there are no mitzvos given; it's just chock full of narrative, with no new rules. The narrative is meant to help the reader understand and deal with similar ethical issues should they arise in everyday life (not that talking donkeys are all that common outside of Far Far Away). This week's haftarah, Micha 5:6 - 6:8, which was chosen since the prophet references the villainy of the parashah's Balak and Balaam, further dispels this troubling misconception. Micha states that as opposed to offerings and sacrifices of "thousands of rams, [and] ten thousands of rivers of oil," (Micha 6:7) G-d wants man: "only to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with [your G-d]." (Micha 6:8)

Well, that doesn't quite seems like hellfire and brimstone, does it. Yes, there are a lot of laws; it can be a lot to handle. In the end, the point of the mitzvos is to help Jews live fulfilling lives. However, while not advocating antinomianism, Micha's message is that without justice, mercy and humility, all of the mindless mitzvos performance is meaningless to G-d. Judaism is not a religion of rote ritual and empty practice, rather one of deep ethical responsibility, contemplative intent, thoughtful reflection and fulfilling love.

¹ Again, I'd really rather not give this guy any real publicity, so at your own risk google whatever you want about him and his treachery.