On the flip side...

Jewish Blogs

I'm not sure I like them.

Allow me to elaborate.

Over the last 2 months I've been spending more and more time reading (and writing on) blogs. I've been reading mostly the Jewish ones: RenReb, NJG, BTA, BloginDM, RebelJew, Shlomo... The Usual Suspects. Some write beautifully, some write crap. That's fine. Some write to attack and that's what I need to speak about.

A blog is someone's little world in which they can say whatever they want, however they want to, about any topic under the sun. I'm just bothered by the amount of bashing that goes on. I just read a post on the evils of (Lakewood/Kollel/Chassidus/Kiruv/MO/Israel/Turkey/...). The list goes on and on and on. More than anything else on some blogs, you'll find anger and vitriol coming out of peoples ears. From a Halachic perspective (which I realize is a statement that will just inflame some people) it may be technically ok to write (some of) these things. The problem is still that with every comment and post we just stir up more anger and more hate. I didn't even want to write that this shtuss fuels hate but I'm saddened, 'cause it does.

I'm not saying we need to all respect each others opinions and get along and be best mates (though...). But don't people understand the harm they do their own liver with all the toxins this junk pours into them? Your heart becomes callous and disturbed. Maybe it's true that Rabbi This said that. So What? Why is it your holy mission to expose the world to it? Why? To warn the unsuspecting masses? To make sure that they never repeat their heinous crime of Whatever? Then say it differently. Constructive criticism. The same facts can be told and the same warning issued without the "story". Please.

And I know, I have the option of not reading them and leaving it all alone. But I feel that this request of me is more "Stop telling us what to do! Let us enjoy these rants."

Maybe that's what irks me. The fact that in response to these scandals and accusations laid bare there is a glee.

I'm going to let this post sit for a few days. I need to go pack anyway. By the time you read this I will be nomadic (I hope).

Ok, this is review number two of this post. I still feel this way. I still need to pack.

Ok, review number three. I have my life in a big backpack and a ticket to Bangkok on Monday night. I'll post.

posted by YS @ 1:46 PM