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Steve Gold
 IP: 65.13.28.57 Feb 3, 08 - 8:56 PM |
Jewish Asceticism
In my spiritual wanderings, I have come across many people of Jewish birth who have abandoned Judaism for various eastern spiritual systems, such as yoga and buddhism. Some of these people become ascetics/monastics to some degree or other, and on occasion, I get asked the question whether Judaism currently or has ever accommodated people with such inclinations. There is at least an indication that if something resembling monastic opportunities was available through Judaism, that maybe some of these folks would have considered it. I believe that there is historical evidence, such as with some branches of the Essenes. So much emphasis is generally placed in traditional Judaism on the importance of marriage, procreation and family life. Does anyone know of historic examples of Jewish monasticism and of any current avenues along these lines for folk who are so inclined? It seems like most spiritual and religious traditions recognize that certain people have such inclinations, and provide them with suitable avenues, and that Judaism seems to be unusually lacking in this regard. |
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Reisha Golden
IP: 71.107.206.111 Feb 4th, 2008 - 12:01 PM |
Re: Jewish Asceticism
I think the reason is that Judaism is about community and building community, beginning with 'to be fruitful and multiply." Judaism is about developing oneself, but more importantly being a contributing, responsible member of the larger group. It was only when people were chased out of their communities because of hatred and they went into hiding that they might have lived a secluded life until the times changed. |
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Steve Gold
IP: 65.13.28.57 Feb 13th, 2008 - 7:29 PM |
Re: Jewish Asceticism
I understand what Reisha is saying, but I would hope that Judaism could be broad enough to accommodate people with various inclinations. In any given group, including those born Jewish, there will be some who are inclined towards a more introverted or even ascetic lifestyle, just as there will be some who are gay and lesbian. I would hope that Judaism could accommodate gays and lesbians and not make them feel like outsiders because they will not be fruitful and multiply. Likewise for those of a monastic bent. It can be argued that monastics serve their greater community in their own peculiar way. In some fashion, they are specialists who might have contributions to make, just as professional academics in their institutional enclaves make contributions that normal householders wouldn't be able to make. The Talmud speaks of two of the tribes (I can't remember which, right now) that developed a symbiotic relationship. One was more bent towards deep Torah study, and the other was more inclined towards commerce. So the commercial tribe financially supported the academic tribe in exchange for the academics sharing their knowledge. |
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Reisha Golden
IP: 71.107.206.111 Feb 17th, 2008 - 1:30 PM |
Re: Jewish Asceticism
There is room for everyone, monastics, gays, lesbians. I am just saying that Judaism was built upon the idea of community. It is so we take care of one another, and we don't neglect one another. Monastics have a community as well as lesbians and gays. To be fruitful and multiply: this can be taken as having more babies or it can be understood - don't live without having someone look out for you -- we are all together on this planet -- whether we have a heterosexual relationship or a gay relationship or we live in a monastery. The idea is don't live alone, or if you do, make sure other people know about you so that if something should happen to you, they can help you out. I think monastics live more with others than our communities do today where everyone is just taking care of there own needs and not of their neighbor's. |
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Rafi Simcha
IP: 169.133.140.6 Apr 9th, 2008 - 12:02 PM |
Re: Jewish Asceticism
Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, one of the most revered of the Jewish sages, and purported author of the Zohar, went and lived in a cave, where he acquired his great level of holiness. This fact is documented in his song, "Bar Yochai," and has been a comfort to me recently in struggling with this issue. While I can see a problem with being a total hermit, I don't get why there aren't more Jewish yoga retreats and / or ashrams, or centers for contemplation. There probably are ways to achieve this in Israel, but why not in the U.K. or U.S.? Even for gregarious, socially engaged Jews, it seems like an occasional retreat would be nice. I know about Eilat Chayyim, and that sounds nice, but it's a little too rigidly structured for me - and it seems to be the only choice. If anyone knows of other options, I'd love to hear about it. Maybe let's start one.... |
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Steve Gold
IP: 65.13.28.57 Apr 9th, 2008 - 2:59 PM |
Re: Jewish Asceticism
First off, I am very grateful for the responses. It seems like there are a lot of lurkers out there, but few willing to participate in dialogue. A friend recently sent me an article from a new magazine called Jewish Living, which seems to be sort of a hip Jewish Good Housekeeping, aimed at a female audience. There was a good article about Jewish Meditation, and it listed a few resources, for what they are worth: ElatChayim, for which you are already familiar; Makom:The Center for Mindfulness, part of the Manhattan JCC - www.JCCManhanttan.org; Chochmat HaLev, www.chocmat.org; Institute for Jewish Spirituality, www.IJS-online.org; Metivta: A Center for Contemplative Judaism (associated with Jonathan Omer-Man, www.metivta.org. |
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