[Avodah] All Ye Into The Melting Pot!

[kennethgmiller at juno.com]

R' Y. Levine wrote:

> But from what I am reading and hearing from some people, it
> seems that some frum Jews still adhere to the melting pot
> assimilationist model. They seem to believe that we all must go
> into a melting pot with regard to minhogim.

I admit that I may have given that impression of my views. Let me clarify. In many ways, the melting pot produces worthless sludge, while the chulent pot produces a glorious stew, where each member contributes to the union *without* losing individuality. I don't mind if neighbors have different minhagim, as long as they each keep strong to their own strengths. And I don't see how that can possibly happen in a shul where a roll of the dice will decide which minhagim we'll follow today.

But not every melting pot produces worthless junk. Done the right way, gold will be even stronger when it is alloyed with the right partners. And so I also endorse those who move permanently to a new area and adopt the minhag hamakom which has been established there. Again, my push is towards the strengthening of legitimate minhagim, whatever they might be, and not the adbication thereof.

Akiva Miller

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