tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post474600387813716058..comments2024-03-07T15:19:48.772-05:00Comments on The Rabbi with a Blog (Rabbi Jason Miller): Rabbi As Pitchman?Rabbi Jason Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07805550465729805847noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-42714221807007372432011-08-07T13:50:29.568-04:002011-08-07T13:50:29.568-04:00From the other side of the argument, kosher certif...From the other side of the argument, kosher certification organizations do this too. There are so many small eco-conscious vegetarian, vegan, or organic firms out there which definitely are kosher, but would never get certification because they can't afford the fee for the certification. Thus, Jews who keep strict kosher will never buy these products, making it even more difficult for them to get any chance at becoming certified and expanding operations and distribution.<br /> <br />In this way, it becomes that much more difficult for observant Jews to practice a healthy, eco-conscious lifestyle.<br /><br />If that's not endorsing, I don't know what is.Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-88462747427701312622011-08-05T08:54:41.782-04:002011-08-05T08:54:41.782-04:00Rabbi Miller,
I agree with you that we should be m...Rabbi Miller,<br />I agree with you that we should be more concerned with encouraging greater mitzvah observance rather than worrying about what others are doing wrong. So if we want to encourage observance, shouldn't Conservative rabbis be setting a better example for their congregants by not eating pizza out? Also, if one's personal standards are that it is OK to eat veggie/dairy in a non-kosher establishment that is their busisness, but I think it is disingeneous for them or rabbinical figures to convince them that it is the same as kosher. I know of many people who view certain establishments as being "more OK" because their local Conservative rabbi dines there, in effect, becoming an unofficial pitchman for that place.<br />Your argument about there always being some one who can out frum you is way off the mark. So what if there is someone who keeps more chumras than me? I'm talking about halacha. Sure I don't eat only pas yisrael and I know people who do, they would never say that I'm eating treif. Keeping kosher is halacha not a chumra or a minhag. All Jews are required to keep kosher. Last time I checked, the C movement does not (officially) subscribe the the Reform and Pauline "personal choice" philosphy of whatever mitzvah work for me.<br />Maybe my intial post was too harsh so I'll rephrase. <br />I know of many communities where the local C rabbi has become a pitchman of sorts for treif restaurants, resulting in a disproportianate amount of Jewish clientele.<br />I don't think it is appropriate for a Conservative pulpit rabbi to eat veggie/dairy/fish in treif establishments in communities where a kosher altnerative is available.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-67687454882916832252011-08-04T15:42:03.039-04:002011-08-04T15:42:03.039-04:00Anonymous,
Your comment is perfect because I was ...Anonymous,<br /><br />Your comment is perfect because I was just having this conversation with another Conservative rabbi today. Since I own a kosher certification agency, I field a lot of calls from self-identified Orthodox Jews who ask me questions about my standards and the places/products that <a href="http://koshermichigan.com/" rel="nofollow">Kosher Michigan</a> certifies.<br /><br />I can't even begin to describe some of the ignorant questions I get from Orthodox Jews about kashrut (both BT's and FFB's).<br /><br />1) Is the pizza glatt?<br />2) Are the bagels glatt?<br />3) Is the milk Chalav Yisrael (after I explained that it was RICE MILK!)<br />4) Is the restaurant owner Shomer Shabbos (after I explained that the owner is Greek Orthodox!)<br /><br />So, now you leave a comment complaining that Conservative Jews are eating dairy and veggie at "treif establishments."<br /><br />Here are my two responses to that:<br /><br />1) At least here in the Metro Detroit Jewish community (the community I'm most familiar with), it is common to see Modern Orthodox Jews eating in non-kosher establishments. Even Orthodox Jews who wouldn't identify as "Modern" will go to a Coney Island restaurant (known as a diner outside of Michigan) and get a Greek salad. I've asked some of those Modern Orthodox Jews if they eat the complimentary *grilled* pita bread that accompanies the Greek salad. They answer in the affirmative. All of a sudden they're not so worried about: a) Pas Yisrael, b) Bishul Akum, or c) The bacon that was grilled on the same grill as their pita bread!<br /><br />2) You're complaining about Conservative Jews eating veggie and dairy in non-kosher restaurants, but for many Conservative Jews that's much better than the alternative, which is eating treif in non-kosher restaurants.<br /><br />So, if we're all climbing <i>madregot </i> (steps) in an effort to observe more mitzvot, I think you might want to reconsider your argument. <br /><br />Ultimately, I remind you of an important fact. <b>For every Jew who is all high and mighty about his "Super Frum" level of personal observance, I can find another Jew who will look down on him because he's not observing all the <i>chumrot</i> (strictures) that he follows.</b> In other words, there's always someone who can out-Frum you!!<br /><br />If it makes you feel better to find Jews who aren't as religious as you, then <i>zei gezundt</i>. What ever gets you to sleep at night. For me, I'm in the business of trying to get more Jews to increase their observance and performance of mitzvot, so I try to encourage Jews to do more rather than rant about what they're not doing right.Rabbi Jason Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07805550465729805847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-19123169629577805062011-08-04T15:20:11.111-04:002011-08-04T15:20:11.111-04:00Perhaps Conservative Rabbis should get paid an adv...Perhaps Conservative Rabbis should get paid an advertising fee by the treif establishments that they eat veggie/dairy in that in turn causes their congregants to eat their also in great numbers.<br />Not that Conservative laypeople don't by and large "eat out" to begin with but places that the Rabbi goes generally get an even bigger turn out. <br />In some communities places like the Cheeecake Factory have reputation for being popular among the Jewish community.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-25928391448272291852011-08-02T23:17:12.435-04:002011-08-02T23:17:12.435-04:00Boogity Boogity Boogity... Kein Yehi Ratzon!Boogity Boogity Boogity... Kein Yehi Ratzon!Rabbi Jason Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07805550465729805847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-18604062526075055542011-08-02T23:16:04.927-04:002011-08-02T23:16:04.927-04:00I think all prayers should end in boogity, boogity...I think all prayers should end in boogity, boogity, boogity, amen. It has such gravitas.Rabbi Bruce B Seltzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17846297119444706664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6003330.post-29333297684540661042011-08-02T22:37:52.443-04:002011-08-02T22:37:52.443-04:00But your next contract with the Congregation would...But your next contract with the Congregation would require a 50-50 split of revenues for placements from the Congregation's bema.<br /><br />Mike LeavittMike L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04638448601637482763noreply@blogger.com