Internalized Criticism and the Shadow of Christianity
I had a good laugh while I was volunteering at the Synagogue Office. One of the windows was broken by some neighbourhood children (not an anti-semitic incident, just childhood tomfoolery) and as part of their making amends, the kids involved were coming to clean up the parking lot. The date was marked on the Office calendar with a note saying “Child Labour” leading to a discussion of the ethics of the situation.
The Rabbi noted that while the parents had no problem marching their children off to their penance, Jews were conflicted about punishment and about making children work in general. The Rabbi related that his wife complained that the Gentiles had it right and Jews were too soft. The Rabbi concluded that Jews had internalized the criticism of their religion as harsh and unloving and tended to bend over backwards to prove otherwise.
A long post; prepare thyselves.
(via zaatarwitholives)
