Michael Lewyn writes:
In one of your Klinghoffer interviews, one of you (I can’t remember which) suggests that becoming more frum always leads to more political conservatism (or at least doesn’t make one more politically liberal).
This hasn’t been true for me; as I’ve moved towards observance (admittedly not 100%, but basically from pure Reform to splitting between O and C shuls, mostly shomer shabbos except when out of town and a kosher home) I’ve moved left – not all the way left, mind you, but from conservative R to swing voter.
How come?
1. The areas where the link between theological and political conservatism are most obvious are the social issues where politics is less important (e.g. homosexuality).
2. I’ve become much more dovish, and I DO think my increased yiddishkeit has a role in that. Here’s why: the typical ignorant Jew has his attitudes shaped by WW 2, and maybe the Maccabean war, and maybe the state of Israel. Lessons of these wars: if you resist evil you will win.
But if you are a more serious Jew you learn about 586 (destruction of First Temple due to revolt against Babylonians), 70 (destruction of 2nd Temple due to revolt against Romans) and 135 (bar Kochba) you learn: if you revolt against the goyim you get squashed. Some wars are self destructive.
3. Economically, I’m probably a little more liberal- fundamentally the Torah is not a libertarian, trickle down document. It says again and again, tzedekah tzedekah tzekedah. And later halacha makes it clear this ain’t optional.
