Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!caip!rutgers!seismo!rochester!ritcv!moscom!de
From: de@moscom.UUCP (Dave Esan)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.jewish,soc.women
Subject: Re: who drives the bus nonissue?
Message-ID: <768@moscom.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 10-Oct-86 12:32:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: moscom.768
Posted: Fri Oct 10 12:32:16 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 12-Oct-86 04:34:19 EDT
References: <633@mit-vax.UUCP> <3096@columbia.UUCP>
Lines: 56
Xref: watmath soc.culture.jewish:41 soc.women:302

10 Oct 86 16:32:16 GMT

10 Oct 86 16:32:16 GMT
Distribution: net
Organization: MOSCOM Corp, E Rochester, NY, USA
Lines: 48
Xref: moscom soc.culture.jewish:50 soc.women:285

I wrote:
>>Why are the Amish picturesque, and the Hassidim embarassing?

Chip responded:
> Because the Amish keep intensely to themselves (those were Mennonites in the
> movie WITNESS---the Amish would have nothing to do with anything so vain as
> aappearing in a movie, even in a crowd scene), instead of demanding that the
> state serve them in some special fashion.

Not true.  The Amish are not only in the back woods of Pennsylvania, but are in
New York, Ohio and Wisconsin, as well as in Ontario (there are probably other
states, but I am not sure).  There was a large controversy when they tried to
keep their children out of school after the age of fourteen (sixteen is the
mandatory age in most states).  The case eventually went to the Supreme Court
and Amish children are excused from school after the age of 14.  The State
serves them in a special fashion.

There was further controversy over the use of orange triangles on their buggies.
The Amish felt they were too ornate, DOT felt they were necessary.  After much
discussion, some do, and some don't.  The state has put up warning signs in the
area to warn the rest of us that there can be horse and buggies around.  The
state serves them in a special fashion.

> I have also been told that even
> Conservative and Orthodox Jews consider the Hasidim embarassingly mystical,
> in opposition to the rationalism that is a significant tradition in
> ]mainline[ Judaism.

So?  While I might be embarassed by some Hassidic attitudes, I support their
right to their life style.  You have not answered my question.  You suggest that
the Hasidim are not picturesque because they live in big cities and are
embarassing to the rest of the Jews?  That smacks of feelings that are best
left unmentioned at this time.  Are the Amish embarassing to mainstream
Protestants?

> 	CHip (Chip Hitchcock)		ARPA: CJH@CCA.CCA.COM
> uu: ...!{decvax!linus, seismo!harvard, cbosgd, caip!think}!cca!cjh
> PS: My minimal recollection of Hebrew I've sung suggests that a proper
> translation of "Hasidim" is "Righteous Ones"---does that give you a cue to
> attitudes?

Yes, it means that they think they are right, which is the mark of all
religions.  Ask any Catholic, Moslem, Protestant or Jew.

-- 
               rochester \
David Esan                | moscom ! de
                    ritcv/