My response to a Cross Currents post on the new popular chareidi music and literature:
As far as the general low culture issue, can we at least agree that even the "frum" low culture does in fact represent some acculturation from the general society around us? Some would argue that conscious awareness of this acculturation allows us to better manage it.
My question to the chevrah-Has history shown that nonawareness is the better strategy?
KT
Joel Rich
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: My response to a Cross Currents post on the new popular chareidi music
: and literature:
:> As far as the general low culture issue, can we at least agree that even
:> the "frum" low culture does in fact represent some acculturation from
:> the general society around us? Some would argue that conscious awareness
:> of this acculturation allows us to better manage it.
: My question to the chevrah-Has history shown that nonawareness is the
: better strategy?
It has to be slower, when you think you haven't yet assimilated culture
and you're trying to hold the line, than when you consciously choose
to have a strategy with regard to acculturation, and expect the line
to move. One will only have unconscious motion, the other will have
conscious change as well.
So for the masses, it means less assimilation.
Then we have to ask if cultural assumilation is a bad thing. Does Hashem
not want us to sing our tefillos to the kosher elements of the sound of
our era? Is there a Jewish aesthetic to begin with? Way deep wading in
this issue.
However, for the yechidim who realize it's going on and that everyone
is fooling themselves.... I see a big OTD risk as cynicism is bound to
creap in, as well as (including?) a loss of respect for any authority
figures who are fooled or caught blindfolding others.
<<However, for the yechidim who realize it's going on and that everyone
is fooling themselves.... I see a big OTD risk as cynicism is bound to
creap in, as well as (including?) a loss of respect for any authority
figures who are fooled or caught blindfolding others. >>
Indeed I am always bothered by those who claim that they are not influenced
at all but outside culture. Even if not directly we are all influenced by
outside forces. There is no such thing today as Jewish music since anything
the leviim sang has been lost. Living in Israel sefardi music is much
different than ashkenazi music simply because Arabic music is different
than Hungarian music.
Anyone who learns Rambam is influenced at some level by Greek philosophy.
Read rishonim on the reasons for dina demalchuta and compare it to the old
defenses of the rights of kings - just happen to be identical. Many
rishonim were familar with secular philosophy and even the Ramah knew
philosophy. In spite of appearances Chatam Sofer had a broad background and
spoke German.
All of this without referring to RAL who has a spirited defense of much
(certainly not all) of modern literature and parts of modern culture.