This is a very intersting article. Having never learned or even visited Lakewood I can't say how accurate it is, so don't take everything written there as the gospel truth.
Language matters. Gospel means true only because of its association with the first 4 books of the Christian "New Testament." It actually means "good (truthful) tale." Jews should eschew the word gospel as a synonym for truth.
Another book, "ZooTorah" by Rabbi Nissan Slifkan, was banned, in Lakewood and elsewhere, because, relying on earlier accepted authorities, it presented biological evolution as a legitimate possibility and argued that the pronouncements of Talmudic sages on scientific subjects need not be considered authoritative.
If you look at Menachem Butler's site he says there are some inaccuracies, but doesn't really mention what they are.
ReplyDeletehttp://ajhistory.blogspot.com/2005/08/life-in-lakewood-c2005.html
I visited Lakewood once. I was accosted by someone in a grocery store who repeatedly screamed in my face, "You're not Jewish!, you're not Jewish!"
ReplyDeleteHaven't been back since.
Language matters. Gospel means true only because of its association with the first 4 books of the Christian "New Testament." It actually means "good (truthful) tale." Jews should eschew the word gospel as a synonym for truth.
ReplyDeleteThe Gospels have caused us a lot of trouble in the past.
ReplyDeleteI think that the phrase has entered common usage in English and most peole have no idea of the origin.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Nissan Slifkin wrote a book called ZooTorah!
ReplyDeleteAnother book, "ZooTorah" by Rabbi Nissan Slifkan, was banned, in Lakewood and elsewhere, because, relying on earlier accepted authorities, it presented biological evolution as a legitimate possibility and argued that the pronouncements of Talmudic sages on scientific subjects need not be considered authoritative.
ReplyDeleteIn America he uses the name Iyar.