Tolerance

Intolerance is the foundation and underlying cause of all dissension in the  world. Its effects are felt on a communal level and personal level. At home, at work wherever people congregate. Particularly religious intolerance has been the cause of so much anguish and persecution throughout the ages around the globe. In Judaism there are groups that believe they have a monopoly on Jewish belief and practice. For some reason they believe that they have the right to practice their version but deny others the same right to choose. Tolerance teaches that there can be different approaches that are right so long as they conform to Shulchon Oruch. Not every Neshoma is able to connect to Hashem in the same way. Some thrive in a more serious environment while others in a more relaxed cheerful environment. Hashem is bigger than life and allows for all of the different Neshomos he created to connect to Him in different ways. In Judaism its not one size fits all. If the path we walk on is to narrow some may fall off. If it is a little wider, there is room for all to thrive on their level. Our eternal life however, is on the line when we choose a Rabbi with whom to connect and practice. Choosing a tried and proven version of Yiddishkeit is the key. Finding a Rebbe with a proven tradition, who practices and teaches the Torah Hashem gave to His people by example, without introducing any new inventions and changes, with a reliable track record is critical. His stature and reliability must be based upon the education he received from having studied under great Rabbis from previous generations. This is life insurance for us in this world and in the world to come, our ultimate final destination. New versions of Judaism are risky. Always better safe than sorry. Centuries ago, there was only one kind of Judaism that all Jews practiced together. All of a sudden Conservative and Reform Judaism and the likes were introduced by people who were not prepared to forfeit their will for Hashem’s will. They tried to introduce new ideas that would conform to the easy street life style they preferred to lead, foreign to our heritage. They blended into modern society. In the process they distorted and perverted the Holy Written Torah and Oral Law as given to us at Sinia. They are the chief cause of assimilation amongst our people. There is no room for tolerance with them. The key is to connect to the original practice of Judaism, as given to us at Sinai and passed down from there through the generations. To honor our great Rabbis and their teachings. To respect those Holy people who devoted and sacrificed their entire lives for their communities and congregations. Tolerance yes, perversion and change from the original is intolerable. May we merit the coming of Mosiach soon in our day. He will surely answer all our questions and clarify for all the Jewish people wherever they may be scattered, Hashem’s true will. May we once again all serve him together as one nation, united in truth and love, as it was always meant to be.