This week produced a reminder of the lack of separation of temple and state in Israel where the government routinely enforces Jewish religious laws. Tourists at the Western Wall watched as women were arrested in Jerusalem’s Old City for merely wearing prayer shawls in defiance of Orthodox beliefs. Orthodox laws govern the activities at the wall and Orthodox Jews believe that only men can wear shawls and pray at the wall.
Women have been attacked by Orthodox Jews for trying to pray at the wall. On this occasion, the Israeli police arrested five women on April 11, 2013 — part of a group of 120 women.
A group called Women of the Wall organizes such protests. Orthodox rabbis forbid men and women praying together at the wall.
One ultra-Orthodox man was detained for burning a religious book belonging to the Women of the Wall. It seems that this faithful man does not see anything immoral in burning a Jewish prayer book.
The arrests led some to again question the control given ultra-Orthodox rabbis over the site. One could also consider the ongoing controversy of Israel’s general enforcement of religious laws that results in continuing controversies particularly with the large number of secular Jews. (here and here). The Israeli Supreme Court is viewed by many as nudging the country away from the enforcement of Orthodox laws. (here and here).
Malisha,
Do you mean like earthworms?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090115175230AA3P6Yz
Well Scharansky’s got cred.
Matt J, the Y is not inferior, just a bit quaint and old fashioned. I hear Nature is trying to get rid of it.
See, the religious rightwing isn’t powerful just in the U.S., but also in Israel. Though it is Judaism there, it is Christianity here. Anyway, both groups love controlling the lives of others.
What you saw in the extremist getting their undies in a bunch about a man made shawl on a woman parallels what Jesus experienced with the religious people of his day. They need to reform even as Westboro need to reform.
As a matter of fact, Nathan Sharansky negotiated a compromise. The Kotel (Western Wall) will be expanded, so there will be an area for men, another for women, and a third where men and women can worship together, and women can wear prayer shawls (tallit) like the men do, if they so wish.
This is good. People are judging themselves seeking peace. This is good to see.
When I visited the wall, an elderly woman came up to me and, without asking, grabbed my cross necklace and tucked it down my shirt where it was not visible.
artiewhitefox 1, April 11, 2013 at 8:15 pm
The KJV endorses nudity. That means they could pray naked in their long hair. Men could do that too. Religions don’t teach what is in their own book. 1 Corinthians 11 >>
King James Bible 13Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? 14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
Verse 13 is in a form of a question saying it is not a shame unto him. Had it not be a question it would be a shame unto him. 14 says it is not a shame unto a woman saying long hair is a glory to her being a covering. The shawl issue is a non issues. God is not against clothing optional. Why didn’t people see this before?
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Wear sexy clothing. You’ll get laid. BTW – I have a Y chromosome. I realize that’s inferior.
Does it come as a surprise to you to learn that, since Israel is a Jewish state, they don’t read the KJB?