Comments by "SK ONTHEROAD" (@skontheroad2666) on "What Hasidic Women Have To Say (eye-opening experience!) 🇺🇸" video.
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@barryfriedman3223 Great question! VERY complicated answer!... first, there are the basics of reform, conservative and Orthodox. And then divisions within. So Orthodox used to be just Modern Orthodox and Ultra Orthodox. Then, it grew from there (from the 1950's/60's when people came over after the war and DP camps and either assimilated, became traditional, or kept their faith and stayed Orthodox) and it still keeps growing. From Conservadox, crossing that line between Conservative to Orthodox, all the way to divisions under the label of Chasidim (like the show "Shtisl"), largely because of Chabad. They are the most outgoing and open of the Chasidim-they are the ones you see in the NYC Subway asking if you're Jewish and would like to put on tefillin or light shabbat candles when you get home, or who you call when travelingto Bangkok or Shanghai for business--there is always a Chabad house ready and willing to help any Jew- they have grown tremendously over the years and do a lot of good all over the world (they are the ones being interviewed in the videos). Their neighbors in Brooklyn, like Satmar ("Unorthodox") are very different and not as open and friendly (I am being very kind here....). There are a lot of different sects within Ultra-Orthodox, all stemming from 18th century Poland. And they are not so familiar with the differences within Modern Orthodox. Although the newer generation is more open, especially those living outside of NYC and the tri-state area. Then within Modern Orthodoxy we have a range. Jared Kushner is Modern Orthodox and Ivanka Trump converted--not the highlight of our religion but I assume you know them... or, a better one, Sacha Baron Cohen was raised Orthodox and his family in London still is kosher and sabbath observant and always was. His wife, Isla Fisher, converted. The kids take bar mitzvah lessons and Judaism is very important to them, but they do not practice daily anymore. (Whereas Jared and Ivanka, in the house, keep shabbat and kosher.) Men wear yarmulkes to work and some men don't. Women who won't wear pants and only cover their hair, and those who don't. BUT any of those within the category of Orthodox will go to a synagogue on shabbat and fit right in with another member within Orthodoxy, wherever they fall within the spectrum. But that person would be totally lost in a reform synagogue (and likely would not even enter bc they are not observant of the Torah within Reformed Judaism). I could keep going, but hopefully that is a good overview. There are plenty of (other) well known Orthodox Jews you would recognize who are Modern Orthodox, but as they believe in Torah U'Maddah (Torah and Secular Studies) and live their life according to those beliefs, you would not necessarily know. Men who don't wear a yarmulke to work don't want to be judged as a Jew first, but as a doctor, lawyer, etc. first. My husband wants to be seen as a dr. first when someone enters the room, but as soon as he jumps in the car to drive home, it goes right back on his head. Was that helpful? Any questions? Senator Joe Lieberman is Orthodox. He walked to the Hill when he needed to cast an important vote on a Saturday (we don't drive on Saturdays). There are more of us than you would think...!😉
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@barryfriedman3223 sorry, I'm back, lol. Rereading your question--the different level of interpretations are what led to the Reform and Conservative Movements (a much deeper reason and explanation can be found online. Has to do with post WW2 Jews in America. Or more recently, letting women become Rabbis, etc). Orthodox Jews follow the Torah. To the letter. But...EVERYONE (and that means everyone!) picks and chooses. But there are basics. I have friends who don't cover their hair, but they keep shabbos and kosher so I will eat in their house. A famous Chabad Rabbi in a city in America eats in my house but won't eat in anyone else's house in the city where he is the Chabad Rabbi. And he is respectful in that he won't go to someone's home if invited and not eat, but he won't eat anything cooked and be respectful about it. Everyone does their own thing and let's others do their as long as it doesn't impinge on you. Does that make sense? We are told that if someone says they are sabbath observant and kosher, who are we not to believe them (it gets a little harder when you see them buying non kosher meat in a supermarket!). And then there are those who "eat out". Some eat cold only. Some won't eat dairy (VERY few eat meat out), some ask for it to be wrapped in foil... it can be hard with work lunches. I luckily live in a city where a well known Vegan restaurant happens to be kosher. There is ALWAYS a famous person there, so when I have (had) my business meetings there, it seems normal and I don't have to explain. All that said, a Satmar Hasid (or Ger, or Skver, Boomer, etc Hasid) would likely NOT eat in my house (until my Rabbi told them who I was). And by then, I wouldn't want them, lol...JUST KIDDING!! (But I doubt they would eat hot in my house!)
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@vivsreds1006 Sure! It is super complicated (even to Orthodox Jews) but I will try. It has to do with Kashrut (kosher). We separate meat and dairy (and then there is pareve, which is neutral, like fish, eggs, fruits, vegetables--they go with both meat or dairy). Orthodox Jews often have 2 sinks, 2 ovens, 2 dishwashers and always a separate set of dishes and cutlery for each. Everyone tries to be as strict as they feel they should be within one's home (and everyone's highest level is different). One wants to feel that anyone would feel comfortable eating in their home, so we are extra careful. The sign you see on a lot of products--the circle with a U or K in it--are under a kosher supervision agency. There are hundreds around the world, some more reliable than others. We don't bring the triangle with a K inside into our home, for example. Many don't "hold by it" so I don't let it into my kitchen. But again, as many of us work in the regular secular world, you may have to go to a business lunch, for example. Unless it is a kosher restaurant, we don't eat there (we don't "eat out"). But everyone pick and chooses what rules to break or bend. The most basic, easiest thing (beyond just a cup of black coffee) would be a plain salad. But even there you run into issues with kashrut. The dressing might have a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar, which is made with wine. We do not drink non-kosher wine, so the dressing is out. Salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon would be ok, (but it may have onions in it. They are considered "sharp" so the knife that cut them is a problem if used also for something meat, which was not kosher). By only eating cold, as heat transfers the non-kosher "flavor" from vessel to food and vice versa, it is safer. Some eat hot out, but only fish (with scales and fins only as then the fish is a kosher fish). Eating dairy out (pizza), is a problem because of the rennet (a meat product) used in cheeses....and while everyone does their own thing, if one is not so careful, then it begs the question, how careful are they in there home? Most Rabbis don't eat in their congregants homes as while they could eat in one, maybe they can't in another and they want to be respectful and fair to all. Again, it is complicated but Chabad and Aish are good sources for info. If you have more questions, just let me know--hope it helps! Stay healthy!
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@benjaminr6153 That is not an accurate explanation. We use Hashem (yes, literally translated as "the name"), all the time. We refer to G-d, Hashem, all the time in everyday conversation. Regardless if we are using the expression "Baruch Hashem"=Thank g-d (we do not write out the word), or saying "whatever happens, it is up to Hashem..." (just one example), as we do not use the same word for g-d that we would use while praying (since we don't take his name in vain), we still recognize his presence in everything all day long. Another commonly used expression is g-d willing (IY"H is the shortened version of Im Yirtzeh Hashem). Also, for example, if one of my small children were making a blessing on apple juice before they took a sip, and they got the blessing wrong, when I correct them, I would substitute the Hebrew word for g-d in the blessing with the word Hashem, and she would understand what the substitution meant (that I was not taking his name in vain) and when she said the blessing again (hopefully correctly), she would use the correct word for g-d used in prayer. I was merely substituting it with Hashem while correcting her. Also, the letter "shin" is a Hebrew letter that has a dot or dots added to the consonant. The dots indicate the vowel sound that should be used (similar to Arabic) and tell you how to pronounce the letter or word. In this case the dots tell you to make the shhh sound... the dots placed elsewhere on the Shin make it become the SIN sound. While Hebrew is a different alphabet, it is fairly easy to learn. But things like newspapers or subtitles do not have the dots, or vowels, so one must know what sound to make, which can be difficult until you are fluent. And actually Halleluja, in Hebrew, is still Halleluja in English. It doesn't mean g-d. It means the same as it does in English. It is often the last word of a prayer.
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What makes Peter's videos interesting is that we are on the journey with him as he learns about and discovers a new culture. However, as he is new to all of it, he still has a lot to learn, and therefore, what the right questions to ask are. It was discussed in the comments, for example, on a previous video. The person being interviewed said something (twice) as a lead in for him to delve into it further, as she was signaling to a topic that many viewers would want to know more about (as we all mentioned in the comments). But until someone learns more about the community, they wouldn't necessarily pick up on that comment and investigate it further. Documentary filmmakers are generally showing viewers more about a topic so they feel, after they have watched it, that they have seen and experienced a new world as an insider would. There are a few on YT that you may find interesting, and when you read thru the comments and see the questions, you can see the difference between being introduced to a new culture as an outsider vs. learning about a culture from an insider who is asking the questions that an average viewer would not even think to ask. Here is an example...Malky makes music videos that say "for women, by women". Why do they say that? There is a concept in Judaism called Kol Isha, in which men cannot listen to women singing (it is considered too sensual). As with everything else, there are exceptions to the rule... if you are listening thru a microphone, if it isn't live, etc. But if one does not even know that the law exists, one would not know to delve into the topic. Orthodox Judaism is very complex... but it is interesting watching someone experience and appreciate it!
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@SarahAvi That is wonderful that you have had such great experiences with Satmar. However, in general, within the Ultra-Orthodox groups, they are known to be not so happy... it is not my opinion, I am just speaking about the generalized view of Satmar by other groups such as Chabad--who, granted, has a different outlook and approach to the secular world. That doesn't mean that you, or others, have not had good individual experiences with Satmar, just that they are not typically viewed as open and friendly. And while Unorthodox is a true story, it is still a dramatized version of a very tragic story. I recommend people watch "Shtisel" instead, if they want an inside look of Ultra-Orthodox Jewish daily life. But remember, they are all movies, not documentaries. The is another show about the Orthodox Jewish community in Manchester on YT (Strictly Kosher I think?) that is worth a watch. Shows the different layers of Modern Orthodoxy and could be Flatbush, LA or Jerusalem.
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@vivsreds1006 Also, there is a kosher hotel and restaurant in Jaco Beach. While Chabad is everywhere, one also often finds other Orthodox synagogues and restaurants if there are enough Jews in the community to support it. While the Syrian Jews, who can be found mostly in Brooklyn and Deal, NJ, also have large communities in Central and South America, with schools, shuls and restaurants (such as, in Panama--some of the best food I have ever had!), so it makes it very easy to vacation in those places. My family started the Jewish community in a popular vacation spot years ago when my great Aunt and Uncle wanted to move there full-time. But when you move somewhere and there is no community, what do you do? Call Chabad! Now that same Rabbi who Chabad sent out there as a young married man has around 12 kids, and they are now grown up with families and working at other beach locations nearby with their own Chabad houses that they started all because of Uncle Irving! (Although they still charged me full price when I ordered a bunch of shabbat food when we were there last...🤔). It all started with a desire for more Judaism in their life and a phone call! (Ok, and a lot of money to help fund the whole operation, but still...).
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