Today we have this same problem of assimilation. Since the Enlightenment in Europe in the 18th century, Jews have been choosing to forget their faith and assimilate into the secular cultures. In the year 2000, the assimilation rates are astounding: 55% for Europe as a whole, 50% among Jews in America and France and close to 40% among British Jews. These numbers are insane. When the number of Jews drops in the world, it is not because of death - it is because of assimilation. This is a topic that I think should be on all of our minds, and I was reminded by these disturbing figures during Chumash today because we spoke about other nations who had laws that the Jewish people might have found appealing. As a Jewish nation, we need to find a way to lower these percentages because they are a threat to the existence of the Jewish people.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Assimilation
Part of Sefer Vayikra has showed us the dangers of following other cultures and religions, such as Mitzraim and Ca'naan. Therefore we have many laws or chukim that separate us from other religions and set apart our religious practices from their religious practices. In the days of the torah, there was clearly a constant threat of assimilation based on the laws found in the Torah. The religions of other nations were appealing to the Jews so therefore Hashem made specific laws which show Jews that they are separate from other nations and establish barriers and boundaries between the different religions. There is such an emphasis in the Torah on the "kedusha" of the Jewish people - their holy quality that sets them apart as a separate nation.
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ReplyDeleteI find this post very interesting, yet scary. Those statistics truly are mind boggling. I think that one very important way to try and stop this is through Jewish education. I personally feel that attending a Jewish school through high school is of utter importance. If people are raised in an observant home and attend Jewish day schools, I believe that people will be less likely to assimilate. This is why I feel that the continuity of Jewish education is so crucial. If people attend secular colleges hopefully their Jewish high school has built them into a person that can handle and conquer these difficult situations.
I agree with alexa, beling aware of this is the first step aswell as having a jewish education and home. I also think though that we can not be isolated too much from the world when we are young since we must learn to communicate with the world since we will deal with them when we become older. Too much isolation is also bad
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ReplyDeleteI completely agree with sharon said. im just going to add on a few things as to why i think sharon is right that too much isolation is bad. I think that it is important to grow up in an environment that shows the positive aspects of judaism. By learning about the importance of judaism and practicing those beliefs every day, we build up a strong Jewish identity and understand that we are different and have an important role in our life. However, if that is the only life that we will ever know, it can have negative consequences. It is natural to always be intrigued by the things that are "different" and "unfamiliar" to us. It is therefore very common that even those Jews that grew up in the "perfect" Jewish environment stray because they want to know what it would be like to join those that are different. As Tarzan always said:" i wanna know about the strangers like me!" we must make sure that we understand the non-jews around us and see how their life is different from ours. Hopefully, we will the chose our path over theirs and see why and how our path is "the better choice"
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