tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747998155058121772.post8778869082551410062..comments2023-07-18T16:31:37.984-06:00Comments on Searching for the Light on the Path: The ForestJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07593266343873200105noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747998155058121772.post-83677600981990059572011-01-20T19:45:34.897-07:002011-01-20T19:45:34.897-07:00Please Rick, stop this already.
Stop what? Maybe ...<i>Please Rick, stop this already.</i><br /><br />Stop what? Maybe the world is not as you think it is. Because my brother and I have both grew up outide the US, and because we both have been airline pilots for over 30 years, we have learned to try to see people as they are, not as we expect them to be. It is very rewarding. Making assumptions leads only to disappointment.Rick Spurlockhttp://www.bereansonline.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747998155058121772.post-53820613249711418232011-01-20T19:37:50.606-07:002011-01-20T19:37:50.606-07:00if your brother is comfortable praying in differen...<i>if your brother is comfortable praying in different Orthodox synagogues (sound like Chabad) and is accepted as he is, more power to him.</i><br /><br />Yes, he does visit some Chabad, but many of the shuls he visits (and returns to) are just Orthodox. For the past few months he has lived part time in Sydney, and it may have been Chabad there.<br /><br />He also frequents Messianic congregations, but they are more difficult to find.Rick Spurlockhttp://www.bereansonline.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747998155058121772.post-40914507582858781892011-01-20T18:53:47.038-07:002011-01-20T18:53:47.038-07:00"My brother is an international airline pilot..."My brother is an international airline pilot. He visits Orthodox shuls from Singapore to Budapest. He takes us talit, siddur, tefillin, and kipa everywhere he goes. His experience is always the same: Jewish people showing hospitality. When he davens with them, they see a man who is a brother and a friend of Israel. And yes, he tells them his father was a Scot."<br /><br />And your mother, a Jew? An Orthodox Jew can have a Scot father, or whatever other nationality. If she was not Jewish and he's given aliyas, what does he do - "pass himself off" as a Jew decked out in full Jewish regalia?<br /><br />"they make us feel quite welcome, even knowing we express ourselves "judaically" (another new word). Including aliyah to Torah."<br /><br />Sure.... I believe you ... only if your "Modern Orthodox" friends are totally out there and don't give a hoot about halacha nor for any even most basics of standards of Judaism, or your guys waltzing in there simply pretending to be Jews. Please Rick, stop this already.Gene Shlomovichhttp://dailyminyan.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747998155058121772.post-10078275845153654622011-01-20T18:29:16.845-07:002011-01-20T18:29:16.845-07:00I don't know enough Hebrew to not stick out li...I don't know enough Hebrew to not stick out like a sore thumb in an environment outside my own. Also, my personality and "style" when in any new social situation, is to keep a low profile and my mouth shut (for the most part) until I get the lay of the land, so to speak. <br /><br />Rick, if your brother is comfortable praying in different Orthodox synagogues (sound like Chabad) and is accepted as he is, more power to him.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07593266343873200105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747998155058121772.post-48250197776017210572011-01-20T18:13:55.817-07:002011-01-20T18:13:55.817-07:00If I were to attend an Orthodox shul as a guest, I...<i> If I were to attend an Orthodox shul as a guest, I would know and accept that I wasn't a part of the community and would take the one down position. The Messianic world doesn't offer such clear and universally accepted choices.</i><br /><br />@James, I know that Gene does not believe it, but we have very good relationships with various Torah Jews (what some call "modern Orthodox") and they make us feel quite welcome, even knowing we express ourselves "judaically" (another new word). Including aliyah to Torah.<br /><br />My brother is an international airline pilot. He visits Orthodox shuls from Singapore to Budapest. He takes us talit, siddur, tefillin, and kipa everywhere he goes. His experience is always the same: Jewish people showing hospitality. When he davens with them, they see a man who is a brother and a friend of Israel. And yes, he tells them his father was a Scot.Rick Spurlockhttp://www.bereansonline.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747998155058121772.post-18383197994761349972011-01-20T18:04:47.724-07:002011-01-20T18:04:47.724-07:00Does anybody besides me blog about this stuff?
@J...<i>Does anybody besides me blog about this stuff?</i><br /><br />@James, I don't "blog" in this same manner, but Yeshua's high standard is a common topic in our weekly portion commentary. <br /><br />Having said that, I like your stuff more. I would rather read your well-crafted words any day. <br /><br />Nicely done. <br /><br />B"HRick Spurlockhttp://www.bereansonline.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747998155058121772.post-65798257490414980532011-01-20T10:15:15.380-07:002011-01-20T10:15:15.380-07:00But we can't - many of "messianics" ...<i>But we can't - many of "messianics" are paralyzed, not knowing what to do - afraid to move right or left, afraid to offend, indecisive, confused by conflicting teachings coming from those who would lead disciples after themselves. </i><br /><br />All too true, which is one of the reasons I composed this post this morning. It's also one of the reasons I am choosing to leave "the movement", at least in terms of my corporate worship practice. The only way to satisfy the requirements of larger Messianic Judaism and not step on anyone's tail is to not practice "judaically". How I worship and pray at home alone or with my wife don't involve "the community", so it remains between me, my family, and God.<br /><br /><i>In the Orthodox synagogue that I attend these issues hardly occupy any of our time - this is not because they don't need to deal with Gentiles (naturally very few of them attend), but because they have a clear idea of who is who, and who does what and when. </i><br /><br />Exactly. But the Messianic movement has a monkey wrench thrown into the machine. We're called "Gentiles". The Orthodox model can't really applied because we have two unalike groups of people who are nevertheless "fellow heirs". If I were to attend an Orthodox shul as a guest, I would know and accept that I wasn't a part of the community and would take the one down position. The Messianic world doesn't offer such clear and universally accepted choices.<br /><br /><i>Many folks in the Messianic Movement do not know who they are and what G-d expects them to do. Because of that they spend their days chasing something that would give them meaning, identity and a purpose.</i><br /><br />Describes me to a "T". It also describes the major challenge of being able to have Jewish and Gentile "Messianic" groups be able to interact and accept one another. <br /><br />We keep bumping into the trees looking for the path that leads through the forest. His name is "Yeshua".Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07593266343873200105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6747998155058121772.post-87573423360506299242011-01-20T09:54:01.793-07:002011-01-20T09:54:01.793-07:00"But continually operating on that level of m..."But continually operating on that level of microscopic focus won't show you the path through the woods which leads back to home."<br /><br />Very true. I would say that the ongoing identity and observance issues in Messianic Judaism are a huge distraction and a waste of time - time better spent on more worthwhile things. But we can't - many of "messianics" are paralyzed, not knowing what to do - afraid to move right or left, afraid to offend, indecisive, confused by conflicting teachings coming from those who would lead disciples after themselves. In the Orthodox synagogue that I attend these issues hardly occupy any of our time - this is not because they don't need to deal with Gentiles (naturally very few of them attend), but because they have a clear idea of who is who, and who does what and when. They follow established halacha and traditions (and there's plenty of "grace" via various "loop holes").<br /><br />To quote Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof:<br /><br />"Because of our traditions, everyone here knows who he is and what G-d expects him to do."<br /><br />Many folks in the Messianic Movement do not know who they are and what G-d expects them to do. Because of that they spend their days chasing something that would give them meaning, identity and a purpose. Until MM figures this out, MM will be spinning its wheels focusing on the minors until Messiah returns.Gene Shlomovichhttp://dailyminyan.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com