Thoughts On Being Modern

There is a term that has come into popular use in the last decade or two.

"Modern".

That is really a euphemism for "less observant". The moment one decides that he or she is "modern" then television, movies, negiya, more revealing clothing for girls, mixed swimming etc. etc. become suddenly, miraculously, by the grace of G-d - "permitted".

"I am modern. I am not shomer negiya". According to the shulchan aruch the laws of negiyah are yehareig vi-al yaavor. Like, if I was told to give a married woman [or a single girl after about the age of 12] a peck on the cheek or die then the halachically mandated choice is the latter. Being "modern" doesn't change halacha - just its erstwhile followers. [So happy that I had the opportunity to use the word "erstwhile":-)]. Might seem a bit extreme but one thing I will assure you - no man who keeps these laws as they are written has ever been unfaithful to his wife. EVER. Does wonders for shalom bayis. Can't even LOOK at someone else's wife.

I am not judging "Modern" people. One may not judge someone else until he is in that person's place [pirkei avos] so who am I to judge individuals. I have not a short list of my own personal shortcomings.  Everybody is experiencing challenges and people cope differently. Some become religiously stronger and more aware while many many others lose it to differing degrees.

Some people who are more "modern" in their bein adam la-Makom, are very holy in their bein adam la-chaveiro. I have a friend who puts on his tfillin daily, says his shma and that is more or less it. I am not sure if he "does" mincha and maariv and by his own admission he doesn't learn. He is not especially careful to keep various areas of halacha. BUT, he quietly helps poor people survive. No noise or fanfare. Just writing checks to feed and cloth poor families. I know people who are less modern, more "charedi" but lack a warm compassionate heart. They love Judaism but not as much as they love their money. A black hat doesn't instantaneously make one an ohev yisrael who can't sleep at night because he is trying to think of ways to help the less fortunate. Makes me nauseous when I think of people's level of goodness being determined by their external appearance. [Just as an aside, a friend overheard a married "charedi" women with a sheitel talking too loudly on her cell phone on the bus with her boyfriend and planning her escape from her husband and restrictive charedi lifestyle. Don't judge based on externals...].

The ideal, of course, is to be equally careful and vigilant in keeping all of the mitzvos. The same G-d commanded both. The 2 luchos were split up 5-5, G-d and man - Man and man and were of equal size. There is equality between the two areas. Rav Hutner pointed out that the Rav Yisrael Meyer Kagan's two most seminal works were the Mishna Brura [G-d and man] and the sefer Chofetz Chaim [lashon ha-ra, man and man]. He revolutionized the Jewish world with both works. We must also strive to find that harmony in our own lives.

Is there anything wrong with being "modern" in the classical sense as defined by the dictionary: Based on or using the newest information, methods, or technology. Nothing at all.

Let me give an example. If you walk into a kollel you will often see men who are clearly not modern [in the colloquial sense] sitting and learning with a computer. This is an innovation. 20 years ago this was not happening. But they are using "modern" technology in the service of Torah. [As I am doing this second. I am also "modern" because it is almost 2am and I am typing with one hand while the other holds my baby as my wife sleeps. That is modern. But don't worry, my wife is the furthest thing from a "woman's libber":-). Wouldn't be a good match if she were....]

Every modern innovation must be put under the microscope and scrutinized: Does this enhance religious practice or detract from it [or is it neutral. Is there a neutral ground?]. If it is in the former category then we embrace it while if it is not then we reject it.

Religious people are not against "modernity". They are against it when it impinges upon religious practice and spirituality.

ודוק