two recent events shed light as to liberal judaism’s core features. do these beliefs or positions suggest that there is a distinctive ten commandments applicable to the liberal communities?
food plays a central role in judaism. the dietary rules of kosher can both shape and bond communities. outside of religious practice- services- butchers, bakers, markets and eateries create communal areas to interact.
recently, conservative judaism made a major move. vegan and vegetarian restaurants are now considered as kosher within the denomination without kashrut supervision. the consequences of this action creates a two tiered system. conservative and orthodox jews will likely eat in separate restaurants. likewise, the move punishes both the orthodox community’s supervisorial organizations as well as vegan and vegetarian restaurants who are willing to spend the money and make the effort to have their establishments certified kosher. this certification, in reality, makes their restaurants inclusive to the entire jewish community as well as any other person who wishes to enjoy their food.
another story is literally baked with controversy. an orthodox jewish baker in san diego- after the recent supereme court decision concerning first amendment religious expression, declined to prepare rainbow cupcakes in connection with a jewish pride event which was to be held at a non-orthodox synagogue. this kosher baker was met with heavy handed rebuke by not only those within the liberal jewish sects but also the jewish federation. a federation’s official’s remark was especially outrageous based upon the fact that the federation is an umbrella organization for all jewish sects. the baker’s position was that he felt that his creative efforts were to be employed in violation of the torah and its 613 commandments. this position may have been due to the fact that the torah forbids the “act” of homosexuality. he may have believed that the pride celebration is one that promotes the “act” of homosexuality.
with these two stories in mind, as well as others, i have electronically cobble perhaps liberal judaism’s ten commandments. as they are not written in stone, i encourage your comments. perhaps, they may need to be revised.
FIRST COMMANDMENT
the images of god shalt be of “a variety of potential gender identities and with the possibility of gender fluidity.”
SECOND COMMANDMENT
intersectional allies’ interests are to be supported above our interests
THIRD COMMANDMENT
thou shalt have an abortion, encourage abortion, promote abortion or defend other’s right to an abortion
FOURTH COMMANDMENT
thou shalt not have climate change
FIFTH COMMANDMENT
thou shalt be inclusive
SIXTH COMMANDMENT
thou shalt support a state of israel contingent upon it being shaped in the democratic party’s image
SEVENTH COMMANDMENT
thou shalt exclude those who believe and practice in the 613 commandments if they personally offend
EIGHTH COMMANDMENT
thou shalt pursuit social justice
NINTH COMMANDMENT
thou shalt pick and choose your commandments
TENTH COMMANDMENT
thou shalt commit acts of tikkun olam aka of healing the world
be well!!
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The Ten Commandments Project 
Hello from the UK
Many thanks for your post, and the others I have read so far. They are very insightful. I note with interest that ‘tikkun olam’ is an anagram of ‘ln oakum kit’. Oakum is used to plug gaps in timber built ships and in a sense can be considered as a repair, so we have a repair kit. this ties in with healing the world.
Anyway, your ten commandments for liberal judaism’s ten commandments seem very suitable. If you should be interested, this is my COVID 19 ten commandments for the Covid Cult.
There is also a link at the bottom of my article, my Covid 19 Summary setting out what has been going on, and which as far as I can gather you are aware.
Kind regards, and again many thanks for all you do.
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Thanks for your comment!
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I’m not sure how to look at this writing. To me, it actually comes across as a mockery concerns the Jewish faith, where there are multiple strands, but where the more liberal group is mocked.
I don’t think I will be the only one with an open mind who feels offended anyway.
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Thank you for your comment. I grew up in the Conservative Movement. Much has changed. My list employed some language used by those-not orthodox- as well my knowledge from jewish publications. Liberal judaism has shown an emphasis placed upon certain activities. My list is both observational and slightly critical. It is not intended to mock. Rather, it is intended to present their values as projected. Some of the positions taken, such as with vegan and vegetarian restaurants not needing kosher supervision, are controversial. The vote on that ruling was not unanimous. The notion, however, is very much aligned with liberal ideology. Your input is invited. I am open to correct or adjust for more accuracy.
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A big problem with a lot of people in many denominations is that some love to pick and choose their commandments. But the system of God does not work like that.
However, we must also be aware that times have changed. In doing so, we must also note that many novelties have come into the life of the day; For example, there are all kinds of electrical appliances that can make our lives easier and more pleasant.
In our areas, there is frequent discussion about whether one may use telephones, radio and television. Here one can ask the question of where there would be a prohibition imposed by God. In this sense, I also see myself being allowed to use these modern gadgets, such as a cell phone and computer (though many might oppose). Some see that as a personal release from some laws. But I don’t think this is or needs to be so. However, we do need to use those contemporary devices according to the standards and values of God’s mitzvot.
You write that conservative Judaism made a major move. That move can also be found in more progressive groups, because the world of today presses us into such a move. Sometimes we do have to choose the best out of the worst.
Concerning the way to eat or to find hotels and restaurants we (shamefully) have to live with the difficulty that it nearly has become impossible to find kosher hotels and restaurants in a lot of cities.
Many of us have to travel for work and others like to take a holiday in some nice area’s, or visit theatres, musea and historical sites, at what place kosher hotels and restaurants are not always available. For that reason ‘Bio’ and/or vegan and vegetarian restaurants are not such a bad choice when looking for kosher restaurants. In many cases they may be considered as kosher within the denomination without kashrut supervision.
It could well be that in certain countries the consequences of this action could create a two tiered system. Conservative and orthodox jews likely going to eat in separate restaurants and going to luxury very expensive hotels who at certain times offer everything according kosher regulations (Like the Hilton does in Switzerland and only a few kosher suppliers in Bern, Genève and Zurich + In Austria only around Vienna). One mometn the three Michelin star restaurant the Jane in Antwerp also offered a kosher dinner … but at what a price?!) – Luckily in Antwerp to find kosher places is no problem.
It would be very bad when such move punishes both the orthodox community’s supervisorial organizations as well as vegan and vegetarian restaurants who are willing to spend the money, take time and make the effort to have their establishments certified kosher. We could only advise and stimulate more vegan restaurants to claim for a kosher certificate. Such certification, in reality, would make their restaurants inclusive to the entire Jewish and Jeshuaist community as well as any other person who wishes to enjoy their healthy guaranteed fresh food.
It is not that we can go days without eating?! So we do have to find a way out to provide also our physical food. You naturally could say that in such instance, we may not travel or visit such cities where there are no opportunities to have kosher meals. But would that not limit us today to just coming to live in separate cocoons or ghetto’s?
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