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Anyone who is identifiably Jewish gets these questions all the time, but to understand Judaism by chatting about practices and rituals is the tail wagging the dog. Ira Silverstein appears to be a genial fellow who answered Obamas specific questions, but Obama does not appear to have the big picture.

Comment by Ben Plonie on 7/22/08 at 1:15 pm

Ben Plonie appears to be informed and genial, but lacks the big picture.

Comment by The Web Guy on 7/22/08 at 6:47 pm

I’m brand-spanking new here, but I like Barack Obama.  He may not have the big picture, but at least he asks questions.  I really believe he’s intelligent enough to realize he can’t understand Judaism by a few questions, and a little chatting.  But I think he is a brilliant man, and will make a great president.

Comment by We Who Dream on 7/22/08 at 7:06 pm

(Thanks for the ‘genial’, Web)

Oh, nobody doesn’t like B.O. Or let’s make that BHO. Even Hilary had to address the ‘likability’ issue.

Nobody is suggesting that understanding Judaism is a criterion for choosing a President (food for thought ...) I got more of a feeling for the level of understanding Obama has from his attempt to get down with the homes by referring to the obnoxious Philip Roth. Probably the best his antisemitic campaign advisors could come with that day.

Comment by Ben Plonie on 7/23/08 at 7:27 pm

In order to make the Obama campaign relevant, you use the heading “Shabbos Goy” regarding the relationship between Ira Silverstein and the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. It is time to stop the use of such language that excludes and offends. With the growing number of those from different religious backgrounds now part of the Jewish community, the term “goy” needs to be excluded from our vocabulary. No more need be said.

Comment by Rabbi Kerry Olitzky on 8/07/08 at 3:41 pm

A lot more need be said, Reb. Considering that your proposal is impossible, can never be implemented, and is wrong-headed to begin with.

The word ‘goy’ is a legitimate Biblical Hebrew word meaning nation, that is never going away. It is applied many times to Israel itself, and to non-Jewish nations. If the word did not exist it would have to be invented anyway to convey what the Torah saeeks to convey in that topic.

And for the ‘big picture’, there are many who tell us that the idea of Jewish nationhood is offensive. Others say that the Jewish relationship to God, the Jewish view of Torah as overarching, the Jewish homeland in Israel/Palestine/Canaan, Jewish exclusivity, elitism, particularism are all sources of resentment from the ‘goyim’. Shall we exclude all of those from our vocabulary as well? Is anyone else excluding thngs the Jews find offensive from their vocabularies? Of course not.

Comment by Ben Plonie on 8/08/08 at 1:33 am

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