Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Leading rabbis have enthusiastic followings. They're like pop stars…without the
pop.
Israelis are split on the role that Orthodox Jews play in their society: Some see
them as leaders of their faith, while others have a more negative view. One secular
Israeli told me, “To these Hassidic Jews, I—with my modern ways—am the en-
emy. And to me, they are parasites. They don't work. Our taxes pay them to just sit
around and learn the Torah. Their 'job' is to be religious.”
All of this got me thinking about other charismatic religious leaders, and how
Evangelical Christians back home can also get caught up in the teachings of one
particular dynamic minister. Meanwhile, in both Christianity and Judaism, main-
stream worshippers have a spiritual keel provided not by an individual, but by a
steady liturgy or theology that doesn't flex with the comings and goings of various
leaders.
Religions around the world seem to always be stoking turmoil—even though
the teachings of those religions say “love your neighbor,” and all of them have the
“do unto others…” Golden Rule. I've decided that fundamentalism is the crux of
the problem. I think the rainbow of religions on this planet is a delight—except for
