November 8, 1997
Jewish Identity Debate
To the Editor:
Deborah Roth's Nov. 5 letter stating that the Orthodox interpretation of Jewish law is definitive of who is a Jew and denying the political implications of the Orthodox position illustrates two of the problems behind the tensions in the community.
First, that the Orthodox Jews have relevant interpretations of Jewish law is not in question; that they have exclusive authenticity is. More important, Ms. Roth's position is divorced from historical knowledge. For millenniums it has been characteristic of Jewish thought and action to be existential and ambiguous rather than idealistic and definitive.
It is important that the Orthodox and the liberal views both thrive -- along with a continuing secular tradition. I fear, however, that were the Orthodox to achieve their essentially political goals as authorities over everyone's lives and beliefs, they would validate the historian Arnold J. Toynbee's anti-Semitic canard of Judaism as a "fossil" civilization and jeopardize the continuation of a distinguished history.
SANDER RUBIN
Davis, Calif., Nov. 6, 1997