According to the Shulchan Aruch, Jews are not allowed within 6 feet of a church or other place of idol-worship. We are not allowed to bend down to remove a splinter if it would look like we're bowing in front of an idol. We are not allowed listen to church music or smell incense. We are forbidden by the Shulchan aruch from even mentioning the name of a church in passing, as when giving directions to someone or arranging a meeting. That chapter has some more interesting stuff, but I'll stop here.
Maybe this made sense hundreds of years ago when Jews were persecuted by the Christians and subjected to horrible pogroms and massacres on a regular basis. Maybe this made sense when the majority of the people were illiterates and perhaps could be easily swayed to convert to a more popular religion. Maybe this made sense when people still imagined that the impurity of idolatry could be catchy, like a disease.
But now? What is the point? What are we afraid of? I'll be a little more specific.
Why was Rabbi Lookstein's attendance at an interfaith prayer service on the morning of the Inauguration such a big freakin deal? Who cares?
Why does this woman have to end her friendship over a wedding in a church? Really, why?
Why do people have to ask their rabbis about whether they can attend a memorial service for a gentile relative or friend?
Why do many frum Jews feel the need to spit when they walk or drive past a church?
Do you really think that by stepping into a church sanctuary, the wrath of the One True God will descend upon you, because He is a Jealous and Vengeful Lord? Do you think that monotheism will crumble if you attend your friends' church weddings? Or is it temptation? Do you think that you won't be be able to resist and have to request an emergency baptism? Is it like an addiction, if we just step into a church, we won't be able to help ourselves and just be sucked in? If we don't follow these rules, are we just going to be easy prey for the next two Witnesses who show up at our door?
How do you understand the continued enforcement of this totally outdated set of halachos?
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onionsoupmix) wrote,
