In the Q&A section in Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky’s Jerusalem Gems, the last questioner wonders why we cannot judge Judaism by the Jews. His question is far better than the answer given. At least Rabbi Orlofsky, unlike others, admits the question is valid.
Let’s refine the difficulty.
While one most certainly cannot even begin to compare the social ills of observant Jews to those merely of Jewish descent, still, we hardly model the genuineness Judaism insists on so firmly.
Rabbi Orlofsky notes: “We have a lot to improve in Hilchos Shabbos, but at least we keep Shabbos”. Small comfort. True, one can’t find [available] Chametz in Jewish homes on Pesach (as per the example brought from the story about Rebbe Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov), but the best-kept Mitzvos are almost the exception to prove the opposite rule.
While we do, indeed, go to hear the Rabbi speak every week in Shul, that is hardly because “the system works”, and “people want to become better”. When is the last time you heard a speech focusing on the uncomfortable aspects of our day-to-day behavior?
A Rabbi who would dare dwell publicly on such matters would quickly be labeled as an “extremist” (who, by the way, don’t address their own community’s deficiencies either, just others’ deficiencies; so-called Zionism, etc.). The topic is usually the Parshah, or some other equally ‘safe’ topic, and if any criticism is delivered at all, it’s usually hinted at in a very vague and general manner.
Is it intellectually honest to call our behavior sincere ‘trying to be better’ as claimed in the book? Being better also includes change, although the general impression gained from the perusal of any sefer written lately is that “Chadash Asur Min Hatorah”, even when our ‘Minhag’ contradicts the whole Torah.
[Adapted from an unanswered letter I wrote to the author a long time ago]
