modern orthodoxy
Question
in my neighborhood there are two extremely diffrent views on religion theres the black hat way of living and the more lenient way of living i asked a rabbi on both end what i should do in reguards to going to the beach in the summer time and i would probably loose my friends by not going and the black hat rabbi said dont dare go to the beach and the modern rabbi said it was fine even though the women arent dressed properly more important to keep your friends ?what is your opinion rabbi?
Answer
Answered by Aaron AbadiThere is only one way of living that applies to all neighborhoods. That is the observance of the laws of the Torah. There's no "modern orthodoxy," and no "black hat" movement. Just observance. Not everyone can take on all the laws at one time, but as long as they are taking the proper steps toward full observance, within a reasonable timeframe, they're doing what they are here to do. The Rabbi who said it is OK for a man to go to a public beach, where there are women all around in bathing suits, is not a Rabbi. He's a well-paid spiritual "yes-man." He gets paid by his community to approve of all the sins that are important for them, giving them the right to feel no guilt. He's a dream Rabbi. Just what we all need. We'll give him a list of things that we need approved, and he'll bless them. Going to such a place is a grave sin, and a friend would respect your moral commitments to your religion, otherwise they are certainly not friends. AA