[Avodah] All Ye Into The Melting Pot! Melting Pot Minhogim Vs. Minhag Avos – Minhogim Fads Vs. Mesorah

[Lisa Liel]

At 06:34 AM 6/17/2011, Prof. 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.

I think that's a bit offensive, actually.  To suggest that seeing Am 
Yisrael as Echad constitutes assimilationism is a bit over the line.

>They seem to believe that we all must go into a melting pot with 
>regard to minhogim. Everyone must accept the new frum commandments 
>of upsherin and the like. After all, it is a mitzvoh deoraysa of 
>orlah, right ? And chas veshalom that you refrain from dancing 
>around a bonfire on Lag Baomer. How can anyone have the chutzpah to 
>do such a thing after all? What are you anyway? Some type of kill joy?

There's nothing wrong with not dancing around a bonfire.  Even if 
you're Sephardi.

Lisa