The Northampton Seminar
Why do Jews observe the Torah’s commandments? Answers differ from person to person but generally include some or all of the following reasons: 1) God commanded us to, 2) we will reap reward and/or punishment in the next world, 3) doing so is good for us spiritually, 4) it is good for us materially, 5) that is what Jews do. A recent trend in Orthodox Jewish outreach — the proselytism of Orthodoxy to non-Orthodox brethren — focuses particularly on the third reason and presents Judaism as a salve for contemporary spiritual ills. Emphasizing this aspect by positioning Judaism as a “New Age” religion that solves the inauthenticity of urban professional life runs current with American trends over the past 20 years or so.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In