A Chasidishe Yid who has undergone a great deal of emotional turmoil in his life has become a bit of a Jewish social media star. He sent out a video where he tells how he argued with other Chasidim as to whether parents should show physical affection to each other in front of the children. He felt strongly that they should. [His friends didn't...] He asked the viewers what THEY think. I was sent this video so I will share with you what I think.
I think that this is the end of Judaism..... [CHAV VI-SHALOM!!!!]
We have a Torah!!!!!!!!!!! Who CARESSSSSS what a little shmendrik like me thinks??!!! What does the TORAH say? What do our sources say??? OF COURSE one should think for oneself but only in order to understand the Torah - not to invent one's own religions and philosophies. G-d already told us His eternal truths so what more do we need?? So one could feel that for example two men in a consensual sexual relationship is a great idea if that works for them but alas, G-d expressed a different opinion. One could think that truly enjoying Shabbos means to turn on his phone and watch Netflix but once again he has been pre-empted by Hashem. I personally think intermarriage is a lovely idea. So universalist. So cosmopolitan. Loving ALL of G-d's creations!!! Your kids will only partially inherit Jewish guilt and other hangups we have!!! A FANTASTIC solution to the shidduch crisis!!! It REALLY opens up the field!!! And think of how this will give our Gentile brothers and sisters "insiders-access" to Jewish values!! Awesome kiruv opportunity!! But once again - not just a bad idea but an egregious sin. ASSUR-ASSUR-ASSUR!!!!!!!!馃槦馃槉
Back to kissing your Rebbetzin in front of the kids.
The Rema [讗讘讛"注 讻"讗 讛], the pre-eminent Ashkenazi posek, says based on the Gemara in Bava Basra [58] that physical affection is for private:
