Q&A: Liberalism and Repentance
Liberalism and Becoming Religious
Question
I’m newly religious and currently studying at a yeshiva for people becoming religious.
My politically liberal views haven’t changed, but some of the rabbis at the yeshiva draw very anti-liberal conclusions from Jewish law. I completely understand why, since I’m learning the material together with them. The question is: how do you reconcile political liberalism with the study of Jewish law?
Answer
This is too general a question. Try raising a specific issue and halakhic arguments, and then it will be possible to discuss it.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t think it’s right to choose a yeshiva based on how liberal it is. If you’re learning well and enjoying it, study in a place your heart desires. Shape your worldview for yourself.
But isn’t one’s worldview shaped, at least in part, by the environment one is in?
There’s definitely an influence, but worrying about that is an oxymoron. If I really will be influenced and arrive at a certain worldview when I’m in a certain place, then that will be my worldview. Why should I let my current worldview determine what I’ll think in the future? It’s not like worrying about temptations.
The issue isn’t persuasion but brainwashing.
They feed a newly religious person all kinds of views that he’s healthy enough not to swallow—at least for now.
It’s just that they sell it to him as if this is the Torah.
And here it becomes nonstop, repeated again and again, and by nature he’s confused.
The fear is that they’ll switch off his mind.
Here it might be appropriate to suggest more liberal places that allow him to think and reflect, and don’t keep pushing messages over and over on the level of brainwashing.
If Yonatan goes to a liberal yeshiva,
all the questions will be solved at once.