tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post3445597708811066301..comments2024-01-30T12:26:03.019-05:00Comments on The Blog of Garnel Ironheart: Frum For FunMighty Garnel Ironhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571194550300367249noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-87600537592768146462010-11-01T11:29:17.711-04:002010-11-01T11:29:17.711-04:00I am not sure why you limit your category of FFF t...I am not sure why you limit your category of FFF to only smaller communities. I think this group is part and parcel of large communities as well and it only expands as people become "frumer". The real question is why people make the further commitment that they do, especially in what you may term larger communities? I would postulate that it is just a change in how they define and find fun. Many years ago, I wrote an article entitled Spiritual Hedonism (there is a link to it at http://www.nishma.org/nishmabibliography.html#introspection) which basically identifies how many people may take on more religious practice because it simply gives them a certain type of pleasure. This is just another manifestation of what Garnel has termed FFF. <br /><br />The challenge is what we may term the smorgasbord approach to Torah -- selling mitzvot one at a time without a perception of the overall holistic call of Torah. (On this, you may want to take a look at another article entitled The Gestalt at http://www.nishma.org/articles/commentary/gestalt.html) Its when the duty of Torah demands of a person to step outside his/her comfort level, challenges one to question oneself and enter into the storm with the only security being reliance upon Hashem that one is attempting to meet the true call of Torah. If you're not sweating at being frum then you are more likely a member of the FFF group even if you are a woman wearing your skirt 4 inches beyond your knees or a man waking up for k'vasikin davening. <br /><br />Rabbi Ben HechtRabbi Ben Hechthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13424122479105225620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-22216101864470743462010-10-31T13:42:45.918-04:002010-10-31T13:42:45.918-04:00You go to the Village Shul Jennifer, don't you...You go to the Village Shul Jennifer, don't you.OTDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12284266882043971891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-15853525165030077962010-10-31T10:10:18.907-04:002010-10-31T10:10:18.907-04:00Interesting perspective! I have had frustrations ...Interesting perspective! I have had frustrations with our kiruv shul for years, which is very "accepty" and laissez-faire on one level. BUT we benefit immensely, I think, by the presence, 5 minutes away, of the Bathurst-Lawrence corridor and the mainstream Orthodox world. <br />There is also decent porosity, with mainstream rabbonim & families occasionally making it down here for simchas, and vice versa (people from the shul attending simchas & Shabbos/Yom Tov meals in that community). Folks here often subconsciously accept an "aspirational" Judaism that puts them on track to move into that world.<br />Still, many just don't get that message, for whatever reason, and I am astonished sometimes to bump into "machers" in the shul who look like us on Shabbos... with uncovered hair, pants or no kippah on a weekday.Jennifer in MamaLandhttp://ronypony.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-37038765223356879432010-10-31T05:07:43.661-04:002010-10-31T05:07:43.661-04:00I like the expression FFF.
Having grown up in a s...I like the expression FFF.<br /><br />Having grown up in a small community it is these "Middle if the Road" Jews who pass torch onto the next generation.<br /><br />As you mentioned, people that become frummer tend to move to bigger communities, and there are the large group of people who don't care and disappear entirely from the Jewish world.<br /><br />Who is left - these FFF guys, and we should encourage them as much as possible - but I wouldn't be afraid to push people individually to make another step closer to comittment. If someone is comming to shul every shabbat, maybe suggest coming once a week to a weekday minyan or to a shiur - not a HUGE investment.<br /><br />If someone is already attending a weekly shiur, why not encourage him/her to attend a second shiur, set up a Chavruta, or volunteer for a comittee. We all (including ALL levels of observance) have an area where we could make just a tiny bit more commitment.Michael Sedleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02684514303911193073noreply@blogger.com