The Jewish Congress: Orthodox Movement
... their applications to Joseph Karo’s Shulchan Aruch, while Ashkenazi Orthodox Jews rely on practices from the Mappa, written by Moses Isserless. The role of Halacha in the Orthodox community is to represent the “will of God” as directly as possible. Halacha is the obligatory aspect of existence and is meant to govern everyday life and situations. It is much more than just a guideline for the Orthodox Jews; it provides a strict way of living ones life. No law is considered greatly more binding than the other, since each law is meant to be strictly understood and observed. However, according to Mr. Ablin, a member of the Modern Orthodox community, there are certain laws that come directly from the Torah (de-oraita) that are considered more binding than those that come from the rabbis interpretations (de-rabbana). In addition, traditions (Minhag) are practices that are not legally binding at all, but are traditions we have kept for generations like men wearing kippot. The Orthodox movement does not favor change, and new laws are not generated. The traditions of the Halacha are clear and complete, and should never be altered. In attempt to balance tradition and change in the community, there have been many discussions and debates over the manner in which Orthodox Jews should integrate into society. For instance, there are laws that emphasize the importance of preserving Hassidic traditions involving dress, music, and language of a given location, setting off Jews from their neighbors. The issue of women in Orthodoxy is a complex issue constantly evolving over time. Traditionally, Judaism viewed women’s primary roles as mother and wife, and saw their positions as the ideal means fulfill their religious needs. Therefore, women generally do not take on roles in public rituals and prayer in stricter Orthodox congregations. Women are separated from men in temple in order to prevent any distractions from prayer, and because it is also considered inappropriate to pray collectively. Although women have all rights to pray equally as much as men, they are not permitted to lead services, nor are they given the opportunity to speak before the community. The issue here is women leading men. Women are strictly forbidden from leading prayers that require a minyan. For example, women are forbidden from leading the Barchu, Amidah, and the Kadesh. In some Orthodox synagogues, lie Shira Hadasha in Jerusalem, girls are allowed to become bat mitzvah by having aliyah, reading Torah and haftorah, and giving a Dvar Torah. Interview With Mr. Ablin Q: In your movement, which individuals are invested with authority to interpret and answer questions of Jewish Law? Are lay people included in the process, or only rabbis and other experts? A: Rabbis, not just one single person. The Mara Daatra of the community can usually answer 90% of all the questions people ask. Those questions he cannot answer will go directly to a Posek for answers. There are poseks who are experts on kashrut, business ethics, etc. and depending on the subject of the question, a posek specializing in that subject is almost always able to answer the question. Lay people are not really included in the process of answering questions. Only those given “smicha” or authority are able to answer questions. Q: What is the process for generating new law? Does your movement publish teshuvot? Are teshuvot written by individuals or by an official body representing the movement? A: First of all, wrong question to ask. Modern Orthodox Jews do not create new law, but they apply the structure and principals of Halacha to new circumstances. Absolutely yes to the second part—a big part of Jewish Law is creating questions and answers. Sometimes Rabbis wont even go to the Talmud; they’ll go directly to the Teshuvot. “It is like looking for the Coolah (exception) in Chumrah (restrictions), you live your life within the halachic boundaries.” Q: Which earlier legal sources ha...