What makes an Orthodox Jew? OR Orthodox Jews don't cheat on their taxes.

I have been told that about 12 years ago a Rabbi in the Washington area gave a sermon where he said Orthodox Jews do not cheat on their taxes. Someone questioned him on that statement and his response was to the effect that it takes more than synagogue affiliation, Shabbos and Kashrus observance to be an Orthodox Jew.

This is absolutely true. You can't judge someone by what you see. That is why you can have an "Orthodox" Jew who can run a nursing home scam, or get into trouble with the SEC, or use charity funds for dubious purposes. That is why an "Orthodox" Jew can walk into an Arab Mosque and fire an Uzi. That is why an "Orthodox" Jew can refuse to help when help is needed, can be rude and obnoxious, bad mouth his neighbors, or accuse his local Rabbis of the same kind of behavior.

This person is not a religious Jew. He is not following G-d's laws. Not the way G-d wants them followed. Oh yes, he has all the outward trappings. He is scrupulous about the food he eats, the clothes he wears, and the synagogue he belongs to, but in his heart he is not observant. He has forgotten about tzedakah (charity), about kindness to those less fortunate than he, about honoring G-d by observing the commandments that aren't visible as well as those that are.

G-d doesn't see what is only on the outside, he sees what is inside us too. No one today can follow ALL of G-ds commands. However, it is up to us to do our best to be good people as well as Observant Jews. The second without the first will put the quotation marks back in the statement "Orthodox" Jew.

Saints' Days and Memories

My family does not celebrate some "typically" American holidays. In calendar order, these are Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Halloween. These Saints' Days have become a part of American culture, but for the most part, not in the American Orthodox Jewish community.

The most glaring omission is Halloween. "You mean your children NEVER went trick or treating?" Well, not on Oct 31. They went sukkah-hopping; walking from sukkah to sukkah on the holiday of sukkot, eating a treat in every sukkah, visiting with friends, enjoying the holiday. "No costumes?" Well we had Queens and Princes and Ninjas and bums and other assorted characters on the holiday of Purim, the celebration of the Book of Esther and the saving of the Jews from the wrath of a very nasty man. Oh and people don't collect candy/food on that holiday either -- we send it. But no, no trick or treating ever.

No shamrocks on St. Patrick's Day, no roses on Valentine's day. I didn't grow up religious. I came to it in college. There are few things I miss about my more secular days. Lobster is one. I would really like to taste lobster once more. But there aren't many. Every once in a while, I miss the symbols of childhood. Every year on Valentine's day there was a small plastic heart-shaped container of cinnamon hearts from my mother. Even when I went to college she mailed it to me. She only stopped after I was married and I explained that they weren't kosher. I miss those hearts. I miss that piece of my childhood. I miss that symbol of my mother's love.

I know she loves me. I never doubt it. But sometimes, I wish that when I came downstairs on February 14 there was a small red plastic container next to my breakfast place.