Core Principles:
1. Torah Im Derech Eretz: A holistic approach to Yahadus includes and encourages the inclusion of secular branches of knowledge and the pursuit of other interests in a Torah framework to enhance the wisdom, character and accomplishments of individual Jews and of Jewish society.
2. Mensch-Yisroel: Individual Jews and Jewish society are meant to be good, refined and holy not only to be mekaddesh Shem Shomayim, but as the intrinsic characteristics of the Am Hashem.
3. Austritt: Torah Im Derech Eretz requires sharp definitions of what is within its compass and what is beyond its compass. Collaboration with entities beyond the scope of Torah-true values is unacceptable.
4. Eretz Yisroel: The Land of Israel is an essential component of the Jewish people’s mission on Earth, but not via nationalistic, militaristic or xenophobic modalities.
5. Torah Lishmah: Talmud Torah is of paramount importance because it guides us in knowing what to do in this world, individually and collectively. This purposeful learning of Torah is of greater significance than Torah learned for its own sake.
6. Women: The role of women in Judaism is of critical importance and as much a priority as the role of men.
7. Non-Jews: All human beings are to be treated with the dignity, respect and compassion that are due to a Tzelem Elokim.
Could you give a practical example of an engagement that the TUM camp might consider acceptable, but contemporary TiDE would consider prohibited by Austritt? (Your average RCA rabbi isn't doing synagogue councils anyhow these days; and for the Orthodox hospital chaplains who need to be on them for professional licensing reasons, what would TIDE say?)
ReplyDeleteI don't think there any many organizational examples nowadays. It is more of a principle that it manifests itself informally. TuM has no intrinsic boundaries at which point it rejects certain things as beyond the pale. TIDE will reject anything that does not ultimately contribute to Mensch-Yisroel formation.
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