I know I already mentioned this in a comment to Jackie's post but I wanted to elaborate on it again here. As I'm reading the laws, and even the 10 commandments, I keep finding places that contradict previously stated laws, similar to JBK's comment about marriage. At times, stories contradict the laws in place and other times God's own actions are the opposite of what he tells the Jews to do. The 10 commandments say "Do not commit murder" (exodus 20:14). Later God commands a genocide of all peoples living in Canaan with specific instructions of who to kill and how in Deut. 7. How does a God that commands not to kill also commands the Jews "not to spare" all "Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites." The 10 commandments also protest jealousy but in Deut. 6:15, God admits to himself being a "jealous God."
This is also remniscent of what were talking about in class concerning tattoos. Many Jews do not follow the strict dietary rules in place by the Bible yet still will not bury someone in a Jewish cemetary that has a tattoo. There are chapters and chapters about rules that Jews do not follow anymore yet stay strict about a rule that makes up only one line. I could go on and on with more examples of contradictions or cases like the tattoo rule (a ban on homosexuality vs. the story of Jonathan and David, etc.) but I guess what I am getting at is, how do modern day practitioners choose? How do we decide today which laws are applicable and which side of the contradictions to choose?
3 comments:
This is a good question, and I don't have an answer to it, but just wanted to add that in chapter 13, Jaffee explains that there are no less than 613 commandments that Jews are supposed to follow (page 285). This shows the scope of the "rules"- do most modern Jews even know all 613, not to mention follow them?
I completely agree with Jackie. We also have to keep in mind that these rules were written for a specific people that fit a specific time period. Changes that have occurred in our society and Jewish society may affect which rules are even applicable any more. This is why the Talmud becomes so important...but why don't rabbis still add to the Talmud today?
Regarding Jessie's question of, "how do modern day practitioners choose?"...I believe it's a matter of what branch of Judaism that you choose to practice. Each sect of Judaism seems to come with guidelines or standards of living/practice that members adhere to, to retain their membership of that branch.
I have some cousins that are Orthodox to the extent where they keep a strict kosher diet, go to temple every day and faithfully adhere to the Sabbath. Yet the women do not stick to the home, keep themselves covered/modest at all times and deal with men as anyother woman might.
In their branch of orthodoxy this would just be standard practice for how women would live. But this style of living, for females particularly, would never fly with Hasidic Jews (i.e. Blackhat), who follow much stricter/literal law regarding the treatment of women.
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