Write on, David. Good stuff. Thanks for sharing this. It's from the heart, that is clear. There is a lot to be grateful for in this world, even in this "western capitalist" world, indeed. And it IS very sad that just bringing up Judaism can create such a mad row. This should not be. Anyway, I come from a family with money so growing up I was always very self-conscious and class-conscious. Most of my friends were working-class, which my parents didn't love. I always felt like the outsider. When I struggled (and I really did) often people would mock me, because, in their eyes, if I had money: What was the problem, exactly? So over time I learned to hide it. Looking back that saddens me. I wish people could hold two ideas in their head at the same time.
David is also rightfully proud of Jewish spirituality and the essential contribution it has made to Christian spirituality.
But Christianity, sadly, never really got the zing of Rabbinical Inquiry; the deep willingness to openly question anything and everything dogmatic. Which, imo, is an essential part of Judaism's--and Jewry's--"secret sauce" for success. In virtually any and every field of endeavor. A willingness and openness to always strive for excellence and efficiency, that is baked into the very fabric of a religious faith.
H. Richard Niebuhr's "Christ and Culture" provides another helpful typology for how Christians in particular find meaning in relationship to culture. The three primary approaches are: Christ Against Culture, Christ of Culture and Christ Transforming Culture. It sounds like your friend has chosen Christ against culture.
I love reading about other's family background and history. I've only been to NYC once and it was a quick business trip. We did get to Times Square and saw part of Central Park. I'd love go back some day. As for being content with the modern world, I completely agree. I think we are wasting our lives if we don't do our best to find contentment and we should be okay with saying that out loud. What is the point of life if we don't show gratitude? Not in a braggy way, but in a way to say that despite all the heartbreak and challenges in our world, there are good things a good people. And it's not about wealth. It's about seeing the hand of God in our every day lives.
Thanks for sharing! it's great to read about your family and the meaning of place. I love getting a glimpse at emotional geographies and the work of creating family identity. Also, I've now gone down a deep rabbit hole looking into Kingsnorth, many things to be said there too 😂.
Thanks Allison. Paul Kingsnorth is worth looking into. I don't agree with his pessimistic prognosis but I read elsewhere that Christian Orthodoxy is gaining adherents, especially among young men.
That is true about the Eastern Orthodox Church and young men today. I'm hardly the best-placed observer of these things, but afaict it's the Russian Orthodox Church in particular (yes, the institution conveniently under Putin's influence) that has so enticed these guys, with all its ritual and promise of community and some sense of Old-World ("traditional"?) macho-ness. There are American convert priests on YouTube who are effectively influencers. I haven't followed Kingsnorth's writing, but he does seem like a more...wholesome influence, if anything.
As a fellow Orthodox Jew, I think it is becoming increasingly important to acknowledge and even celebrate (stopping short of outright bragging about) our lifestyle, which stands out in the world and whose example can help others, Jew and Gentile.
I can't tell you how glad I am to read this, as I'm halfway through Kingsnorth's book myself. His thesis is very much the one upon which I was raised, though I find some it discouraging--mostly because I want to say YES to the world that we're in, whether I agree with all of its dimensions or not. I have a bit of a hermetic tendency, although I've found that withdrawal never, in the end, lifts my spirits. One thing I do want to take from Kingsnorth, which you brought to the fore recently, is the concept of enchantment. I long for it, and I agree with Kingsnorth that it's a rapidly disappearing lens through which to see the world. Faith and belief in mystery are, to me, essential soul-filling counterpoints to logic. Without them, our grandiosity runs rampant and that never feels good, either. I also wonder how you felt about Kingsnorth's descriptions of cities which I found, on the whole, both narrow and ungenerous. NYC isn't a fit for me to live in, but visiting makes my heart sing. And not because I'm a vapid, soulless cog in the machine.
Isabel, I think his issue with London was probably at least part financial. It’s hard to raise a family in London or NYC if you do not have a fair amount of wealth and income.
Thrilled to hear that you are simpatico with Pope Leo! It's hell to be living with world leadership that provokes a severe allergic reaction. I think nothing more needs to be said.
As for Christianity having a debt to Judaism, NOTHING could be more obvious. The only literature quoted in the New Testament is the Old Testament and it's quoted on every page!
My own one sentence definition of Christianity is "Judaism simplified for the goyim."
In our times I wish that I could transplant my knowledge of history to those who think that Trump will triumph. One big story in that history is the fact that the Jews have survived 10,000 times worse than Trump and here they are!
I almost wrote, “Here we are!” Because I had a Jewish great grandmother and my father is a Halachic Jew, and 9 first cousins who are Halachic Jews.
It's good to read open expression of the depth of your connection to Jewish identity and legacy. Its presence helps to ameliorate the tide of inauthentic media stereotypes Netflix and others hand off. Perhaps, in its small part, this will move forward a better archetype of reverence for ancient and universal civil ethics, communal reflection, and fostering of family connection that draws Jews to their faith community.
Sadly, the antecedent to this essay, “I’m Content With My Life As A Landowning Noble In 14th Century France”, has been lost to history.
That made me laugh, Derek.
Glad it worked as intended!
Thank you - LOL
Write on, David. Good stuff. Thanks for sharing this. It's from the heart, that is clear. There is a lot to be grateful for in this world, even in this "western capitalist" world, indeed. And it IS very sad that just bringing up Judaism can create such a mad row. This should not be. Anyway, I come from a family with money so growing up I was always very self-conscious and class-conscious. Most of my friends were working-class, which my parents didn't love. I always felt like the outsider. When I struggled (and I really did) often people would mock me, because, in their eyes, if I had money: What was the problem, exactly? So over time I learned to hide it. Looking back that saddens me. I wish people could hold two ideas in their head at the same time.
David is also rightfully proud of Jewish spirituality and the essential contribution it has made to Christian spirituality.
But Christianity, sadly, never really got the zing of Rabbinical Inquiry; the deep willingness to openly question anything and everything dogmatic. Which, imo, is an essential part of Judaism's--and Jewry's--"secret sauce" for success. In virtually any and every field of endeavor. A willingness and openness to always strive for excellence and efficiency, that is baked into the very fabric of a religious faith.
Thanks Michael for the comment. As you write, money is not a magic elixir that removes all problems.
This was beautiful...and a lovely thing to read on this early Saturday morning. Wouldn't it be nice if all world leaders were like Pope Leo?
"We are part of something ancient, rich and amazing." Indeed.
Thanks Diana. I think Pope Leo came along at the perfect time. I hope his influence will grow and grow.
H. Richard Niebuhr's "Christ and Culture" provides another helpful typology for how Christians in particular find meaning in relationship to culture. The three primary approaches are: Christ Against Culture, Christ of Culture and Christ Transforming Culture. It sounds like your friend has chosen Christ against culture.
Thanks Jonathan. I'm nit familiar with that book. But sounds like that may be true.
I love reading about other's family background and history. I've only been to NYC once and it was a quick business trip. We did get to Times Square and saw part of Central Park. I'd love go back some day. As for being content with the modern world, I completely agree. I think we are wasting our lives if we don't do our best to find contentment and we should be okay with saying that out loud. What is the point of life if we don't show gratitude? Not in a braggy way, but in a way to say that despite all the heartbreak and challenges in our world, there are good things a good people. And it's not about wealth. It's about seeing the hand of God in our every day lives.
Thanks Peggy. When you come back to NYC, let me know! We can meet IRL.
Excellent writing
Thanks for sharing! it's great to read about your family and the meaning of place. I love getting a glimpse at emotional geographies and the work of creating family identity. Also, I've now gone down a deep rabbit hole looking into Kingsnorth, many things to be said there too 😂.
Thanks Allison. Paul Kingsnorth is worth looking into. I don't agree with his pessimistic prognosis but I read elsewhere that Christian Orthodoxy is gaining adherents, especially among young men.
That is true about the Eastern Orthodox Church and young men today. I'm hardly the best-placed observer of these things, but afaict it's the Russian Orthodox Church in particular (yes, the institution conveniently under Putin's influence) that has so enticed these guys, with all its ritual and promise of community and some sense of Old-World ("traditional"?) macho-ness. There are American convert priests on YouTube who are effectively influencers. I haven't followed Kingsnorth's writing, but he does seem like a more...wholesome influence, if anything.
Lovely. G-d bless you and the family.
Thanks Carissa!
amen.
Thanks Phillippe.
As a fellow Orthodox Jew, I think it is becoming increasingly important to acknowledge and even celebrate (stopping short of outright bragging about) our lifestyle, which stands out in the world and whose example can help others, Jew and Gentile.
Hi Srully,
I’m not Orthodox but nevertheless feel a deep connection to Judaism.
I can't tell you how glad I am to read this, as I'm halfway through Kingsnorth's book myself. His thesis is very much the one upon which I was raised, though I find some it discouraging--mostly because I want to say YES to the world that we're in, whether I agree with all of its dimensions or not. I have a bit of a hermetic tendency, although I've found that withdrawal never, in the end, lifts my spirits. One thing I do want to take from Kingsnorth, which you brought to the fore recently, is the concept of enchantment. I long for it, and I agree with Kingsnorth that it's a rapidly disappearing lens through which to see the world. Faith and belief in mystery are, to me, essential soul-filling counterpoints to logic. Without them, our grandiosity runs rampant and that never feels good, either. I also wonder how you felt about Kingsnorth's descriptions of cities which I found, on the whole, both narrow and ungenerous. NYC isn't a fit for me to live in, but visiting makes my heart sing. And not because I'm a vapid, soulless cog in the machine.
Isabel, I think his issue with London was probably at least part financial. It’s hard to raise a family in London or NYC if you do not have a fair amount of wealth and income.
Back to you on enchantment!
Thank you, David for your beautiful, heartfelt candor.
Your writing is delightful, your openness refreshing.
Thanks Deborah!
Your question for the comments is thought provoking, for me.
I enjoyed your post, as always. Thank you.
Thanks Kari.
You are blessed with a full life. Thank you for inviting your Substack friends to share the warmth. A wonderful post, written from the heart.
Thanks Mary.
Thrilled to hear that you are simpatico with Pope Leo! It's hell to be living with world leadership that provokes a severe allergic reaction. I think nothing more needs to be said.
As for Christianity having a debt to Judaism, NOTHING could be more obvious. The only literature quoted in the New Testament is the Old Testament and it's quoted on every page!
My own one sentence definition of Christianity is "Judaism simplified for the goyim."
In our times I wish that I could transplant my knowledge of history to those who think that Trump will triumph. One big story in that history is the fact that the Jews have survived 10,000 times worse than Trump and here they are!
I almost wrote, “Here we are!” Because I had a Jewish great grandmother and my father is a Halachic Jew, and 9 first cousins who are Halachic Jews.
Thanks Kathleen. I wish people of both faiths knew more about the other. And Pope Leo XIV is shaping up to be a moral hero.
It's good to read open expression of the depth of your connection to Jewish identity and legacy. Its presence helps to ameliorate the tide of inauthentic media stereotypes Netflix and others hand off. Perhaps, in its small part, this will move forward a better archetype of reverence for ancient and universal civil ethics, communal reflection, and fostering of family connection that draws Jews to their faith community.
Thanks Ellen.