Rabbi Michael Lerner: The Left Hand of God, Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right
Don’t miss one of the first ever Friday evening lecture series at the 92ndStY. While some of you are going to skip reading about it because of it’s $25 pricetag, keep in mind that a ticket to the event includes Rabbi Lerner’s new book (The Left Hand of God, Taking Back Our Country from the Religious Right) in addition to the lecture and refreshments.
The Left Hand of God: A Discussion with Michael Lerner
Rabbi Michael Lerner, the editor of Tikkun magazine, offers a blueprint for how the Democratic Party can effectively challenge the Right and win the White House and the Congress.
Date & Time: Fri, Feb 10, 2006, 7:30pm
Location: Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street
Price: $25.00 includes refreshments and copy of signed book
Call 212.415.5601 or visit Y Online to order tickets The Y’s box office will not be open on Shabbat, so make sure to register by Friday afternoon.
Lerner’s fruity. One day he’s a rabbi…the next he’s a psychologist…the next he’s writing letters, under false names, and submitting them to his own magazine (clearly not that many people read Tikkun and/or care enough to write).
I’ll say this…the first chapter of Jewish Renewal is required reading for anyone who asks: “Why’s no one going to shul?”
And Tikkun’s High Holiday pullout is worth the price of the mag.
Shtreimel, you got the order wrong. he was a psychogist first, and then a rabbi. What’s wrong with that?
With regard to your charge that he is writing letters under false names to his own magazine, it sounds like lashon hara because you provide no evidence, as well as no reason why that is relevant. There is enough to critique about his ideas and actions without resort to what appears to be irrelevant, unprovable trivia.
I’ll be attending this event, and can’t wait to read the new book.
http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/5763/edition_id/107/format/html/displaystory.html
Who exactly made Lerner a Rabbi? (Same people that made Al Sharpton a Reverend?)
Thank you EV. I thought this was common knowledge.
The man’s a charlatan. For more on his “non-seminary” rabbinical ordination and other icky issues:
http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/4169/edition_id/75/format/html/displaystory.html
You can reject non-seminary ordination all you want – but some of the best rabbis around have it. The ordination that Lerner got is not being offered by ALEPH – the alliance for Jewish Renewal http://www.aleph.org. It’s not flaky – they do great work. Do you really think Lerner would lose a contest to a Reform Rabbi over Hebrew – given that so man older Reform rabbis barely know it? Or that his understanding of the prayer service is less than anyone else’s?
Not to sound like a groupy – but this is very shallow discourse. Nothing about his ideas, only name calling and meaningless denigration. Lerner has expanded the boundaries of the Jewish world by exploring new territories; I think the critics above would have liked to avoid that.
Charles,
LERNER WROTE LETTERS TO HIS OWN MAGAZINE PRAISING HIMSELF!!!!! The wonky rabbinical certification is just icing on the cake.
At least Zalman has Chabad credentials. Although I’ve spoken to many folks who say he’s fallen out of a tree and hit one too many of the crazy branches on the way down.
“Not to sound like a groupy – but this is very shallow discourse. Nothing about his ideas, only name calling and meaningless denigration. Lerner has expanded the boundaries of the Jewish world by exploring new territories; I think the critics above would have liked to avoid that. ”
Not at all. I’d be as happy to discredit Lerner’s ideas as to discredit the man himself. Bring ’em on!
And exactly how has he “expanded the boundaries”? Everything I’ve seen or read from him didn’t exactly strike me as original.
Look, you chose to respond to a posting about an event on Lerner’s new book, but making snide remarks having nothing to do with his ideas. I’m pointing out that the conversation is lashon hara because it’s not about his ideas, but about condemning the man.
A proper response might be to explain which of his ideas you object to so strongly, that you are moved to slander him in a public forum.
If objection to his ideas isn’t a motive for you, then for shame…. all you want to do is spread nasty comments about this man who has probably never harmed you personally. Let’s do better.
“but making snide remarks having nothing to do with his ideas. ”
Ideas don’t fall from trees. And I believe character, reputation, professional status, etc., are all fair game, visavis analysis, when looking at one’s “ideas”.
If I didn’t know who Rabbi Michael Lerner was, I’d want to know such things before shelling out cash and purchasing his book, attending his lecture…etc.
By the way, Charles, I couldn’t help noticing that your’e linked to a Democratic Progressive (sic) group. If you know Senator Kennedy, could you tell him to lay off my man Alito? I mean, it’s not like Alito ever drove a car off a bridge and left his passenger to drown, is it?
For those who wish to know, I received my smicha from a Beyt Din of three rabbis each of whom had received their ordination as orthodox rabbis. Rabbi Zalman Schachter and Rabbi David Wolfe Blank received their ordinations from Chabad, and Rabbi Phil Leibowitz who received his smicha from the rabbinical school of the Yeshiva U. Since all Chabad rabbis and many other orthodox rabbis receive their smicha from a Beyt Din of this sort, there is nothing unusual about the procedure and was the procedure for all rabbis until the Reform and Conservative movements created American-based rabbinical schools.
There is a mitzvah to not participate in lashon ha’ra, either as a giver of negative personal attacks on people or even as a receiver of it. So, I’m going to avoid that part of the discussion on this list.
I am delighted to have this opporutnity to present some of my ideas to the community at the 92nd Street Y. I expressed my concerns about doing this on Friday evening, because I can’t sign books or otherwise “sell” stuff on Shabbat, and because I did not want to be subverting the practice of Shabbat to which I adhere. I was assured that copies would be sold prior to Shabbat and that I would not have to ride to get there, etc., and I will myself try to make this gathering now only a talk about American politics and Torah, but also a Shabbat celebration with singing and joy!
Rabbi Michael Lerner
[email protected]
I heard you speak on Al Franken and thought your ideas were right on and wish the American people were ready for them in stead of this horror they are letting this admin is perpetrate. I’m looking for a picute of you to put into my painting: ‘The Last Supper before the Appocalypse.’ Keep up the good work , monika steinhoff
Saw the Rabbi on C Span yesterday and was quite moved. I am going
to read the book The Left Hand of God. I can understand why people
get the impression that the Rabbi is kooky but then people thought
Jesus (The Rabbi) was kooky.
I am a retired person of a Christain background. For those who criticize the
Rabbi….I ask….if his answer isn’t the correct one….what is? I haven’t
heard any better ideas.
When I read the back biting of the (seemingly Jewish) people on this
site it sooo reminds me of the back biting of conservative and progressive
Christains.
Marjorie