Has it been circumcised? Does it observe the Sabbath? Perhaps it’s written in Hebrew? Not for me, even though I pass all three of those tests. But in light of some recent traffic, I think it’s time to reflect on what Windows and Doors is all about.
Turns out that my recent post addressing Kirk Cameron and his thoughts about the Jewish people and God’s plan for the human race has evoked some very interesting comments. But none was more interesting than the comments of one reader who is shocked by the presence of so many non-Jews on a “Jewish blog”.
Amazing how many non-Jews have an opinion on a Jewish blog.
Anyhoo -
God has only had a covenant with one nation, ever. The United States is not that nation. God deals with individuals now, not countries. So to assume that he would deal with the United States from a covenanted position is very wrong at best and idolatrous at worse.
It’s the same reason why I will not say “one nation under God” in the Pledge. Because we aren’t and never have been.
Posted by: Scott R. | August 13, 2008 7:08 PM
Which leads me to ask: What’s a Jewish blog? Here is my response, which was initially addressed to Scott R., but is really for all of you who have become a treasured part of Windows and Doors.
Scott,
Thanks for sharing your comments, especially because I do not share your view, and that is what enlivens this conversation. I also want to be very clear to you and to all those who read and comment on this blog, whatever faith you may be, including those with no faith at all. ALL ARE WELCOME!! Can I say it any more clearly?
This is a Jewish blog. It is written by a Jew, a rabbi even, but it is not for Jews exclusively and does not reflect the views of Jews alone. My vision for Windows and Doors is of an electronic community in which Jewish teaching has pride of place because it is the tradition which guides my life. There will often be posts about Issues realting to contemporary Jewish life, Israel, spirituality from a Jewish perspective, etc. And I am proud of it all! But the views of all comers are not only welcome, but encouraged. That’s my definition of a Jewish blog.
And if anyone needs a particularistic Jewish reason for that, try this: both Jewish wisdom and the Jewish people have flourished most successfully when they lived in cultures and settings that had permeable boundaries and encouraged such interactions.
So I want to thank all those who read and comment on Windows and Doors, including and even especially those who are not Jewish. Your presence and participation prove every day that we can celebrate the wonder of the traditions we love without becoming obsessed with either their uniqueness or their exclusivity. We celebrate these traditions because we love them and we love them because they can make our personal lives more meaningful and our world a little better.
For more about who I am, my journey from Chicago to the West Bank to Beliefnet.com, why I am grateful for all of those experiences, and what Windows and Doors is all about, check out the initial post which launched this venture and brought us all together.
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
posted August 14, 2008 at 9:56 am
Rabbi,
I was thinking of the previous blog “Virtual Talmud”, which was a semi-protected space, where non-Jews could post, but where non-Jewish opinion would not be allowed to monopolize the conversation and basically dictate how how a conversation about Jewish theology would go.
It’s an uncomfortable feeling to read a post about a Jewish take on a topic and then discover one is the minority.
Kirk Cameron is a born again, conservative Xian. Whether we like it or not, that brand of Xianity is belligerent, if not outright hostile to Judaism (leaving aside the questionable reasons why they support Israel, which of course is of little actual use to me as an American). If a rabbi starts a topic, shouldn’t there be a “safe” place for Jews to discuss the topic? If the topic stays civil, and people respect the Jewish viewpoint, that’s fine. But if I suddenly have to read about supercessionism and how we’re going to hell, I’m going to leave.
posted August 14, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Well said Scott. Cameron is, how can I politely say this…an idiot.
posted August 14, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Scott,
I am so pleased that you are still with us. We need your voice, your comments and your perspective. And I pleadge that this will remain a “safe” space, if by safe you mean reasonably respectful and never threatening. But it will not be exclusively Jewish, and will often provide a forum for objectionable views, some from Jews and some from Gentiles.
The Jewishness of this space is not guaranteed by the exclusivity of the Jewish voices found here, or by tha acceptability (to some Jews) of the views offered here. It will be a function of the concern about Jewish ideas, issues, and perspectives that are featured here. And those can, do, and I hope will continue to include a wide range of participants from a variety of backgrounds.
You will read about many things that bother you, because of that range. But I trust that you are strong enough for that and that you will trust that strenth as well.
posted August 14, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Thank you Rabbi. I just don’t want to get proselytized, and I hope this place can be free from that.
posted August 15, 2008 at 1:25 am
It’s been my observation that when people start becoming defensive of their religion they take their eyes off God. As a Christian I have to say those of my faith are often very bad at that and I apologize for them, if such a thing can be done.
Honest dialogue with respect and without rancor opens doors, and to be honest there are more similarities between our belief structures than differences. It completely puzzles me how Christians can separate themselves – to claim belief in Jesus as the Messiah you have to accept the specialness of the Israelite nation to God and that our place in God’s Salvation was secured through His work through that nation – we ride on the coattails, so to speak.
Either way of believing places Israel as God’s people – for Christians to argue that point shows a complete ignorance of the God and the teachings they claim to believe in!
Jeremiah Price
posted August 15, 2008 at 12:39 pm
thank you. Thank You. THANK YOU! THAT SHOULD CLEAR IT UP!
I know Jews can and do go on all blogs here so why can not others come here–SHEESH!
posted August 15, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Rabbi,
I am a completed Jew, one who now believes Y’shua is the Messiah of Israel. I only wish to receive your e-mails and teachings. Thank you.
Deborah (Debi) Land
posted August 15, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Wow, Laura,
All this time I’ve been reading you, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quite this vehement.
That’s not a bad thing – just noticing…
posted August 16, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Rabbi, thank you! Though many times I don’t have comments, I read all your blogs and their comments. You are providing a very welcome and needed forum for Jews and non-Jews alike. Your openness is particularly meaningful to me. Thank you again. I look forward to your next blogging adventures.