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Religion Caught in Its Own Net: How the laws of Orthodox Judaism threaten the liberal culture of modern society
The fascinating account of a former Rabbi about the effect of ancient religious laws on modern culture
In the modern era, when equality, freedom, and happiness are man’s most important values, the harsh contrast with the ancient world of strict religious laws of Judaism, formed 1,500 years ago, is undeniable.
This book is a must read for anyone who wishes to understand the religious concepts that presently control the lives of Orthodox Jews, and in some ways, the lives of secular Jews as well. Whether they respect religion, hate or fear it, secular Jews are often unaware that the problem is rooted in the religious worldview as such, and not in the character or habits of the people who live it.
Some examples can be found in the now obsolete religious laws targeting anyone who is not a permission to kill a secular Jew, a prohibition to save a non-Jewish life, a law that deems any non-Jew an untrustworthy liar, and many more.
Yaron Yadan is a special person. He is an expert on Judaism, having served as a Rabbi and the head of a Jewish religious seminar, and today he is a secular Jew who continues to learn and investigate the world he left behind. Through this unique book, Yadan opens for his readers a vista into the religious language and worldview and provides a basis of knowledge for anyone disturbed by questions of identity, religion, and nationality.
In the modern era, when equality, freedom, and happiness are man’s most important values, the harsh contrast with the ancient world of strict religious laws of Judaism, formed 1,500 years ago, is undeniable.
This book is a must read for anyone who wishes to understand the religious concepts that presently control the lives of Orthodox Jews, and in some ways, the lives of secular Jews as well. Whether they respect religion, hate or fear it, secular Jews are often unaware that the problem is rooted in the religious worldview as such, and not in the character or habits of the people who live it.
Some examples can be found in the now obsolete religious laws targeting anyone who is not a permission to kill a secular Jew, a prohibition to save a non-Jewish life, a law that deems any non-Jew an untrustworthy liar, and many more.
Yaron Yadan is a special person. He is an expert on Judaism, having served as a Rabbi and the head of a Jewish religious seminar, and today he is a secular Jew who continues to learn and investigate the world he left behind. Through this unique book, Yadan opens for his readers a vista into the religious language and worldview and provides a basis of knowledge for anyone disturbed by questions of identity, religion, and nationality.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2021
37 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 19, 2020
‘Men said: let us make God in our image’ – consequences: A Valuable Treatise
Israeli author Yaron Yadan earned is BA in history and philosophy and his MA in education and served as an ‘ultraorthodox’ Rabbi and as the head of a Jewish seminar. He is the founder of the Daat Emet movement for the promotion of enlightenment and education and has published papers in periodicals. RELIGION CAUGHT IN ITS OWN NET is his debut book publication. He now is a secular Jew and continues to learn and investigate the world he left behind as an Orthodox Jew.
The subtitle of this book – ‘How the laws of Orthodox Judaism threaten the liberal culture of modern society’ – immediately strikes the attention of all readers. Further information provided by Tomer Kerman supplements our interest as explained in the \opening ‘Why this book is necessary’ – ‘This book is addressed to all of us, but especially to those whose life is not marked by religion. The need for God and faith is deeply ingrained in our mentality. It is a need for someone to guide us on our life journey, to justify our actions and to show us a clear path in a world full of anxieties and hardships. It is a need for someone to give us hope that everything is for the better, to soothe our fear of the inevitable death awaiting us at the end and to give our life a meaning despite is transiency. It is also a need to belong to a community that shelters us from danger and to fill our time on earth with observances and rituals, such as the holidays, which give our life structure, safety and meaning….while religious faith gives us mental comfort, it fatally impairs our social life. Religions follow the principle of “Divide and rule.’ They create and underscore divisions between different groups of people instead of promoting equality of everyone.’ Very wise and insightful ideas that open the door for Yaron Yadan’s superb discussion of the ‘flaws’ of religion, particularly Orthodox Judaism.
Using a technique of near-conversational prose, Yaron probes deeply into the worldview of Orthodox Jews, and his experience of having lived that life as a Rabbi makes his words even more compelling. He adroitly discusses how the Torah teaches suppression of Individual moral conscience and the many bifurcations Orthodox Judaism creates in the contemporary way of life and belief in the world. The information is not only an exceptional dissection of Orthodox Judaism, but it is applicable to all forms of contemporary religions – a very healthy invitation for everyone to consider beliefs.
Scholarly and well presented, this book is an invitation to think and reflect and be aware of the manner in which we all view life. Very highly recommended.
Israeli author Yaron Yadan earned is BA in history and philosophy and his MA in education and served as an ‘ultraorthodox’ Rabbi and as the head of a Jewish seminar. He is the founder of the Daat Emet movement for the promotion of enlightenment and education and has published papers in periodicals. RELIGION CAUGHT IN ITS OWN NET is his debut book publication. He now is a secular Jew and continues to learn and investigate the world he left behind as an Orthodox Jew.
The subtitle of this book – ‘How the laws of Orthodox Judaism threaten the liberal culture of modern society’ – immediately strikes the attention of all readers. Further information provided by Tomer Kerman supplements our interest as explained in the \opening ‘Why this book is necessary’ – ‘This book is addressed to all of us, but especially to those whose life is not marked by religion. The need for God and faith is deeply ingrained in our mentality. It is a need for someone to guide us on our life journey, to justify our actions and to show us a clear path in a world full of anxieties and hardships. It is a need for someone to give us hope that everything is for the better, to soothe our fear of the inevitable death awaiting us at the end and to give our life a meaning despite is transiency. It is also a need to belong to a community that shelters us from danger and to fill our time on earth with observances and rituals, such as the holidays, which give our life structure, safety and meaning….while religious faith gives us mental comfort, it fatally impairs our social life. Religions follow the principle of “Divide and rule.’ They create and underscore divisions between different groups of people instead of promoting equality of everyone.’ Very wise and insightful ideas that open the door for Yaron Yadan’s superb discussion of the ‘flaws’ of religion, particularly Orthodox Judaism.
Using a technique of near-conversational prose, Yaron probes deeply into the worldview of Orthodox Jews, and his experience of having lived that life as a Rabbi makes his words even more compelling. He adroitly discusses how the Torah teaches suppression of Individual moral conscience and the many bifurcations Orthodox Judaism creates in the contemporary way of life and belief in the world. The information is not only an exceptional dissection of Orthodox Judaism, but it is applicable to all forms of contemporary religions – a very healthy invitation for everyone to consider beliefs.
Scholarly and well presented, this book is an invitation to think and reflect and be aware of the manner in which we all view life. Very highly recommended.
January 2, 2024
This is an interesting book that truly questions the rationale of thought of ultra-orthodox and orthodox. Even though I am not Jewish it still made me think about the foundations of the major religions with which I am familiar. However, I could not come away without thinking, why are secular jews not more willing to challenge the elements of their religion that are clearly incompatible with modernity. Not the easiest of reads but I found, that despite quite a few typos, the style helped as the material was heavy at times.
January 17, 2023
Excellent book, and I highly recommend all Jews, in particular, observant Jews, read this book. It is detailed, well-presented, and impressively sourced with detailed footnotes. I've learned in yeshiva but this book opened my eyes to some new concepts that I wasn't aware of.
I will read this book again. My only negative is that I wish it was written years earlier as it could've helped me even more.
I will read this book again. My only negative is that I wish it was written years earlier as it could've helped me even more.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews