Conservative Judaism/Ezekiel

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Expert: - 3/30/2005


Question
Hello,
  I am studying the book of Ezekiel and am scared out of my wits at God's evaluation of Judah. God's anger is so great and his condemnation is so complete.  I don't see any hope in the book.  I wonder if you can compare Judaism today to that of the time of Ezekiel and do you think God is angry with us today.

Answer
Dear Don,

Thanks for writing, but relax. From a Jewish point of view, Ezekiel was a prophet speaking / writing to his own contemporaries, both in Babylonia with him and those still in Kingdom of Judah.

He warned THEM that in a few years if they didn't stop making treaties with the Egyptians, if they didn't clean up their religious act they would be punished.

It is only later writers and mostly not from our Jewish tradition who have taken Ezekiel to be speaking to a much later audience, setting the scene for what we now call apocalyptic and eschatological religious personalities - seen especially in some Christian fundamentalist groups.

So, the worst is really over, although we shouldn't stap trying to be better human beings and better Jews.

Best wishes for the holidays. Check my website for Passover information www.jewishfreeware.org and more to be posted soon.

Rabbi Dov

Conservative Judaism

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Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner

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Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

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I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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