Bark Mitzvah; Different views
Are parts of Judaism giong to the dogs?
Miami Herald:
Donning a gold yarmulke and a prayer shawl, 13-year-old Columbo Rudy on Monday marked his entry into the world as an adult.
With several of his canine pals present, the toy poodle partied the day away at an outdoor Aventura cafe with a rousing rendition of ''Happy Bark Mitzvah'' and a sampling of doggie bones. There was even a certificate congratulating Columbo, signed by Rabbi Rex Doberman of Congregation Beth Poodle...
As unorthodox as it might seem, ''bark mitzvahs'' are the newest in the trend of treating a pet like a beloved son or daughter. Already pets are pampered at the doggie day spa or given treats from a gourmet dog bakery.
''The bark mitzvah theme is pretty popular because people want something different,'' said Christine Ciarmello, the owner of New York-based Cleo's Bakery, who noted she has done four since she opened two years ago..
Rabbi Terry Bookman, of Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest, said he is all for loving and caring for pets, but a ''bark mitzvah'' is crossing the line.
''We recognize that people love their pets,'' said Bookman, adding that the reform congregation has held blessings for pets. ``But a bark mitzvah is a desecration of a sacred event.''
Rabbi Ed Farber of Beth Torah, a conservative congregation in Northeast Miami-Dade County, had even stronger words: ``It is just distasteful.''...
''Did the dog have a bris?''( Y.O.: with metsitsah?) Farber asked..
But Rabbi Gary Glickstein of Temple Beth Sholom, a reform synagogue in Miami Beach, appreciates the different ways people find to express their Judaism.
''One of the things Judaism has struggled with is how to integrate the modern phenomenon we find around us into the Jewish tradition, which has ancient roots,'' Glickstein said. ``It is easy to make fun of something here. But I think there is a motivation here that is positive in some way.''
Note to "Rabbi"Glickstein: This isn't just a "different way" it's the wrong way. If your "motivation" is well meaning does that make it right? What does the Hebrew Union College have to say about your view?
Miami Herald:
Donning a gold yarmulke and a prayer shawl, 13-year-old Columbo Rudy on Monday marked his entry into the world as an adult.
With several of his canine pals present, the toy poodle partied the day away at an outdoor Aventura cafe with a rousing rendition of ''Happy Bark Mitzvah'' and a sampling of doggie bones. There was even a certificate congratulating Columbo, signed by Rabbi Rex Doberman of Congregation Beth Poodle...
As unorthodox as it might seem, ''bark mitzvahs'' are the newest in the trend of treating a pet like a beloved son or daughter. Already pets are pampered at the doggie day spa or given treats from a gourmet dog bakery.
''The bark mitzvah theme is pretty popular because people want something different,'' said Christine Ciarmello, the owner of New York-based Cleo's Bakery, who noted she has done four since she opened two years ago..
Rabbi Terry Bookman, of Temple Beth Am in Pinecrest, said he is all for loving and caring for pets, but a ''bark mitzvah'' is crossing the line.
''We recognize that people love their pets,'' said Bookman, adding that the reform congregation has held blessings for pets. ``But a bark mitzvah is a desecration of a sacred event.''
Rabbi Ed Farber of Beth Torah, a conservative congregation in Northeast Miami-Dade County, had even stronger words: ``It is just distasteful.''...
''Did the dog have a bris?''( Y.O.: with metsitsah?) Farber asked..
But Rabbi Gary Glickstein of Temple Beth Sholom, a reform synagogue in Miami Beach, appreciates the different ways people find to express their Judaism.
''One of the things Judaism has struggled with is how to integrate the modern phenomenon we find around us into the Jewish tradition, which has ancient roots,'' Glickstein said. ``It is easy to make fun of something here. But I think there is a motivation here that is positive in some way.''
Note to "Rabbi"Glickstein: This isn't just a "different way" it's the wrong way. If your "motivation" is well meaning does that make it right? What does the Hebrew Union College have to say about your view?
posted by Yeshiva Orthodoxy
at 3:09 PM
1 Comments:
Hey, let's not go dissing our canine friends just yet. The Torah says that non-kosher meat must be "thrown to the dog" so what is wrong with showing the huble animals a modicum of appreciation?
There was a story of someone who took the above dictum as a directive to give questionable pieces of meat to dogs to see if they would eat it (dog eats=treif). Unfortunately, his new rabbi was a big machmir.
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