For many people I know, if they were to up and leave their town, they wouldn’t dearly miss anyone they’ve left behind. I find that sad. I can’t imagine it would be the same thing for 90% plus of Orthodox Jews. You just can’t live in an Orthodox community and not form tight bonds with people unless you’re a freak. You can’t live in any Jewish community as a Jew, from secular to Haredi, and not form tight bonds, unless you’re a freak. <\/p>\n
I remember one friend of mine missed shul two weeks running and I really missed him but didn’t know how to say that. So I texted him and asked if he would be at shul on Shabbos. He texted back, “Why?” That flummoxed me. I replied, “Have not seen you for weeks.” He replied, “You taking attendance?” I was thrown and got the hell out of that conversation. <\/p>\n
When I’ve gone to day yomi (daily Talmud class), when a guy missed one class it was noted by everyone, and if he missed two classes in a row, someone found out what was up. <\/p>\n
As a Jew, particularly in a traditional community, you have no doubts that you matter. On a regular basis, you’re needed for a minyan or for security duty or to visit the sick or to donate. I’m sure it is similar for other tight-knit communities, but Judaism has a profound formula for living in community that is unparalleled in my experience. <\/p>\n
In gentile life, you usually don’t socialize with people you work with, but in Jewish life, you’re much more likely to be up inside of each other’s lives. <\/p>\n
I asked a bloke in rural Australia what was the hottest gossip in town and he said it was about which flowers were in bloom. A Jewish community, by contrast, is usually filled with excitement and passion. There’s always someone getting screwed. Oy, the tumult! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For many people I know, if they were to up and leave their town, they wouldn’t dearly miss anyone they’ve left behind. I find that sad. I can’t imagine it would be the same thing for 90% plus of Orthodox … Continue reading