Intolerance in a Chicago Synagogue

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) swung by a Chicago-area synagogue for a worship service on the eve of Yom Kippur last week, upsetting congregants and provoking one man to mount a campaign for her Democratic challenger before the end of the night, the Chicago Tribune reports.

According to the Tribune, Rabbi Michael Siegel of Anshe Emet Synagogue observed protocol by offering a customary greeting to Bachmann during the services. While elected officials are traditionally acknowledged during such events at the temple, the presence of the conservative Minnesota firebrand prompted particular displeasure.

Some reportedly walked out of the ceremony, while Gary Sircus, a 25-year member of Anshe Emet Synagogue, voiced more active opposition to Bachmann's attendance.

"Our congregation values and embodies tolerance, compassion, respect for individual rights, intelligence, science -- all of the things that I think Michele Bachmann stands against," said Sircus, according to the Tribune

Bachmann has been a vocal supporter of Israel and an unabashed opponent of gay rights, an awkward policy duo on that particular night

Source

Leftists just can't stand any views but their own.  They are just angry people.

Bachmann is an evangelical Christian so her visit to a shul is a little surprising but it may have been to honor Yom Kippur

It's ironical that Bachmann's view of homosexuality is closer to what the Torah instructs (Leviticus 18:22) than were the views of the liberal Jews who criticized her presence.  So the intolerant Jews on the occasion were actually being intolerant of their own religious laws.

You can hear some of the music of Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) here.  It is rather good musically.  Quite operatic.  Surprisingly, the words are not in Hebrew but in Aramaic  -- the language of Jesus.

And the words of the Kol Nidre are rather disturbing.  It says that all vows made by the participants are null and void.  This has been widely interpreted as saying that Jews can break their promises with a clear conscience.  You are not supposed to interpret it in that plain straightforward way these days, however.  The Kol Nidre originated in the Middle Ages so I suspect that it originally had something to do with business relationships between Jews and Gentiles.  Christians at that time often  saw Jews as fair game and broke their promises to Jews so there may have been a need to return the compliment.

There have been many rabbis who have opposed use of the Kol Nidre and I agree with them, for what it is worth.  It is an anachronism in my view and is dead against what the Torah commands (Deuteronomy 23:23).  It should be abolished but sentimental attachment to it is now strong so I guess it will stay.


Posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.).