I am not going to comment in this initiative specifically. I don't know anything about it. It looks like it is put together by a woman, or women, which is better than men telling women to cover up more for the victims of Surfside, as if they aren't already covered up as much as possible without getting to burkas - of course it is possible that a man is behind this, but it looks like a woman is behind it. So from that perspective, of always picking on women for global tragedies, it doesn't bother me so much - I guess women have the right to pick on women for tzniyus more than men do.
In general these things bother me. Somebody has a great idea to bring a merit for someone or in memory of someone they lost. Why do they have to demand that everyone else do it as well? Take out ads and run campaigns all around the world to start Shabbos ten minutes early in memory of him or to be more tzniyus in memory of someone else or to not speak lashon hara in the merit of that one or to not talk in shul for the merit of this, give 10 shekels extra to tzedaka on Fridays in the memory of whoever. etc etc etc
You all have great ideas and your loved ones should all receive eternal merit and reward, but keep your good ideas to yourself and your family. You want the pressure of starting Shabbos earlier, go for it in his memory, but leave the rest of us alone. You want to give more tzedaka in the merit of your friend or loved one, wonderful, but leave the rest of us alone. You have wonderful ideas, but they are for you to do, not to try to impose on the rest of the Jewish world.
Every time I see one of those ads, do this or that in the memory of or for the merit of, I say great idea, really wonderful, leave me alone and do it yourself.
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That is really tasteless. A play on words??
ReplyDeleteNobody is forcing you to. Why is it worse than an ad for coca cola, where no one is forcing you to buy it?
ReplyDeleteIMHO it's bothersome (to me at least) because it gives the impression that we understand divine cause and effect. There is nothing wrong with strengthening a mitzvah. I can even see a shul or defined community taking on a mitzvah or to improve a practice, but to think if we do (or do not do) X, then it will bring Y (divine mercy, money or whatever) is the impression I get from things like that when they are aimed at the general public.
DeleteGood point ash, but this isn't just marketing, it is patronizing
DeleteAs a woman I would prefer
ReplyDelete"In these perilous times of tragedy and the onset of the three weeks, let us Women strengthen our EMUNAH and connection to Hashem above by enhancing our Shmiras Hamitzvohs in the realm of ben adom lmakom and ben adom lchavero. Choose the mitzvah which you personally feel needs enhancement"
I like this better
DeleteAgreed!
DeleteChoose the mitzvah which you personally feel needs enhancement'
DeleteYou are correct that would be better theoretically
problem is at that usually becomes a default position to choose virtually nothing
Caren,
Sincere older ashkenazim don't seem to grasp how
Others eg Sephardic Jews or millennials operate