(no subject)

[desh]

I'm not a bad Jew if I go to a friend's home to watch the Eagles game on Sunday (during the last day of holidays, as I observe Judaism, after 3.5 weeks of very frequent holdays), right? Especially if I keep the letter of the law (as I observe it) as to what can and can't be done on holidays, and all I'd be violating is the spirit of the law and of the holiday? Does your answer change if my reasoning is as much about being sick of the holidays as it is about not wanting to miss my third straight Eagles game?

Comments

[msschein.livejournal.com]

Technically, you're not breaking. I think you're fine. And besides, your soul's all nice and squeaky clean right now; you might as well tarnish it a bit before next YK.

I'm sick of holidays, too. This year's coping mechanism has been to talk about them with my coworkers. I've been getting some straaaange looks.

[smarriveurr.livejournal.com]

This. My understanding is limited, but, hey, what's the point of being sealed for the year if you can't turn around and void the warranty?

I'm pretty sure a little slip won't undo all the good well-intentioned observance you've followed so long with so many consequences. Keep the letter of the law, and remember that you're doing what's good for your spirit, which has to mean something too.

[(Anonymous)]

I don't believe in spirit of the law BS. As long as you're not breaking the law as you see it, go for it.

[desh]

Thanks...who is this? My usual anonymous commenter "A", or someone else?

[(Anonymous)]

ding, ding, ding...

[(Anonymous)]

I should add, my freshman year at college was the subway series. Someone got the staff to put the WS game on upstairs from where Hillel hakafot were going on. Eventually Hillel had the game turned off because the people watching the game were making more noise than the people dancing downstairs.

[desh]

Ha! I remember for I think the big 2004 Sox/Yanks ALCS (or other playoff games that fall), one of my friends' suites had a 13-inch TV on muted for all of a 3-day chag. It was annoying to crash on their couch and have the TV on, and it was weird to have meals right there, but when the game came on, it was quite the sight. At times at least a half-dozen dressed-up frum guys cheering and intently watching a tiny TV with no sound. (Kind of what I mean about the spirit of the chag.)

[desh]

Though to clarify, the spirit of the law is quite important to me. Call it aggadah or kavanah if you prefer. But in general, I don't do Jewish things solely out of a sense of obligation or habit; there has to be some meaning or enjoyment to it, and those don't come solely out of toeing the line of (what I see as) halacha. (In specific situations, on the other hand, I do see value in repeating rote things and following seemingly-meaningless rituals, under the theory that you can find greater meaning in repetitive or habitual things over time, and that any given iteration is not necessarily something that will stand out.)

It's just that the spirit of the law, by its nature, is more flexible and changeable when it needs to be.

[richardf8]

I'll give you a very Reform answer: try it and see how it feels for you, if you feel like you were bad in doing so then that speaks for itself.

totally understand

[(Anonymous)]

Tired of missing patriots AND eagles games. Of course even if i could watch on sunday they might not be shown here in NY. Am I "A"? That comment was not from me. Anyway, if the game is on anyway... no harm in watching.
-Amy

Re: totally understand

[desh]

Ha, no, apparently I have several "A" anon commenters. But you usually sign, so I didn't think that one was you.

I haven't even mentioned the Phillies playoff game Saturday night...

(Hi! Miss you! Chag sameach!)

[jdcohen.livejournal.com]

I eat bacon cheeseburgers, browse the internet on my iPhone on Shabbos, and am in a serious relationship with a Quaker... and I don't consider myself to be a "bad Jew". Just a... rather loose one. Do whatever doesn't break state or federal law, and then feel guilty about it later.

--Jeff

[desh]

Before I clicked the link to this comment, I set the over/under at how many words into it I'd find the word "bacon" at 10.5. WAY under. I'm proud of you, Jeff.

Also, I shouldn't have used the shortcut phrasing "bad Jew" and you're a great reason why. You're not a bad Jew, you're just a largely non-practicing one. Big difference. And I'm not a bad Jew either way; I'm just trying to figure out what to do that's most commensurate with my practices, beliefs, emotions, needs, self-imposed obligations, and enjoyment.

[jdcohen.livejournal.com]

And now you see why I jumped on the phrasing "bad Jew". :-)

...and why I believe so strongly in bacon. And shiksahs.

--Jeff

[rahaeli.livejournal.com]

I've always thought that part of Judaism is recognizing that there's no one-size-fits-all in practices and obligations, honestly. There are times when you need to nurture yourself! If you would feel resentful of your Judaism practice if you missed the game again, I think that would be more detrimental to your relationship with G-d.

[twostepsfwd.livejournal.com]

yeah, this is a spirit-of-the-law not letter-of-the-law thing, for the most part. i guess it depends what's more important to you! to me, keeping in the spirit of the holiday (as long as it doesn't require breaking halacha) is really important. still, there are shabboses where i barely get thru morning brachos and spend the rest of the day reading trashy magazines, so there you go. it's not a good jew / bad jew thing... it's just about what you're hoping to get out of your jewish spiritual practice. i like that judaism replaces some of the self-discipline i lack, personally - if i had no other influences in my decision-making, i would always choose what's more fun and immediately gratifying. instead, because of my faith, i more often choose what is best for me, my soul, G-d, my community. and that is not always what's most fun. and so i miss a lot of yankees games. ah well.