A man was sitting on an airplane and tried to strike up a conversation with the Charedi man sitting next to him. The Charedi was learning Maseches Zvachim [I am too!] and didn't seem particularly interested in having a conversation. This is indicative, writes the man in an article in a major Jewish newspaper that is NOT ALWAYS [:-)] SO MAKPID on hilchos shmiras halashon, of the general inclination of the Charedim to divorce themselves from general society. And of course he goes on to say that they only care about themselves, don't contribute to the welfare of the broader Jewish People etc. etc. etc.
MAYBE!
Maybe the guy just found the words of Rebbe Yehuda Hanassi more interesting than his neighbor on the plane. Maybe the the guy believes that the mitzvah of learning Torah is greater than the mitzvah of having a conversation about whatever topic his neighbor brought up [see yoma 19 on the pasuk ודברת בם]. I can only agree with him on both points. [Not that one should be anti-social but you get my point.]
What I found interesting is that the author of the article is the head of the Center for Jewish Christian Understanding. My suggestion: Before you try to understand Christians - try to understand your Jewish co-religionists. It seems all too often that many Jews reserve their love and understanding for people who deserve it less than their own brothers and sisters.
The same applies to parents, spouses and children. Try to understand them as well. That's the hardest. The easiest is to be critical.
:-)
Addendum: I normally try to avoid reading comments because I usually find them an insult to my intelligence and they often contain filthy language but I was advised by a friend to look at the comments to the article and was pleased.
