The Gedolim and Harry Maryles

Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of this stupidity? The whole 'how awful the Gedolim/askanim/system are' thing, and then the inevitable backlash and backlash backlash. I did like Dov Bears post on the topic, but really, is fighting a bunch of old guys and their supporters who maybe (or maybe not) sign the occasional ridiculous pashkevil really such a noble cause? I don't think so. It's like picking on the retarded kid. I think it just gives the Modoxers something to crow about.

Reconstructionist Kiruv

I've long been amused and annoyed in equal measures by the way Kiruv organizations peddle their wares. It's all about "building bridges" in the community, teaching people about their heritage and culture and studying "authentic" texts (well the Bible is authentic isn't it?). And of course they'll never ever ever mention the word "orthodox". Just check out Jewish Unity Live or any of their affiliates. You would think these guys have Mordechai Kaplan as their copy writer.

But maybe this is all quite useful to the Orthoprax. We can use the same kind of language to describe our religious affiliation and belief, and instead of sounding like kofrim, we'll sound just like Kiruv professionals.

In fact I think I'll spend some time studying Kiruv websites. It could be a great source of inspiration for my OP theology.

Living Mythologically

To be truly comfortable as an OPer, I think you really have to be comfortable with mythology. I know some people who are totally like that, but they tend to be touchy feely types. Ex Chareidim or rationalist MO types have a much harder time of it. It's strange though, because as a RWMOer, I never had a problem saying Kiddush ( for example), and saying God created the world in 6 days and rested on the seventh, even though I knew that wasn't literally true. But saying Elokay avrohom while knowing that Breishis is legend is somehow harder. I guess it's whatever you are used to. Chareidim meanwhile freak out at the thought of an ancient earth, they can't imagine being able to say Kiddush without it being literally true. So what's the secret? How does one get comfortable with myth? It's not easy.