Archeology v. Religion

There has always been tension between archeology and religion. Archeology opposes many of the stories in the Torah.  As Ahad Ha’Am (Asher Tzvi Ginsberg) writes it is irrelevant whether the stories in the Torah happened, the fact is that those stories form the fundamentals of the Jewish tradition, irrelevant of where the truth lies. Nevertheless, the orthodox world does not agree with his analysis and understanding regarding the truth of the Torah. 

Recently, Israeli Archaeologists have found the remains of Avraham Avinu and his wife Sara’s house, belongings and tent, which was open on all four sides. Initially, this was embraced by the orthodox world, however, since the discovery of Sara’s garb a rift has developed in the Jewish world. After much examination of the clothing archaeologists are now claiming that Sara’s dress finished half way down her thigh, not even within a ‘tefach’ of her knee. While this has been embraced by left wing orthodoxy, the more conservative groups within Judaism cannot fathom that Sara Imaynu would go against a God given commandment of dressing modestly especially when immoral idol worshippers were roaming the desert.  

Does anyone understand the connection?

When interviewed, Rabbi Elyashiv Baskinovitch stated, “archeology is fraudulent and the Zionist army is behind these counterfeiting measures to undermine true Torah Judaism.”  He furthered his point by saying that it is a known fact that “Sara received the best shidduch at the time, Avrohom, and she would have never been set up with him if her skirt was too short. Simply, she was an ‘adele maidel’.”

In response to this, Rabbi Channan Amit stated that “modesty is relative to the way other women dressed in society.” Furthering his argument, Amit emphasized that the Torah would not have written about pregnancy, relationships and concubines if women’s dresses were too long. As Lot said to Avraham “the longer the dress gets, the frummer the girl, the frummer the girl the more asexual she becomes.” This statement is truer today than ever before.

Unfortunately nothing will change. Artscoll and Feldheim will still publish their books on halacha, which demands that girls have to wear masks due to the laws of modesty. Sara’s mask has not been found. 

Circumcise or Circumvent?

Recently, there has been talk to outlaw circumcision in San Francisco. The initiative would make it a misdemeanour to "circumcise, excise, cut or mutilate the...genitals" of all minors, and would not make exceptions for religious reasons.

Many Jews are outraged by such a measure. They are protesting against this proposal by pointing to the anti-Semitic nature of this proposition. However, the legislature claims that this ban intends to reduce cases of pedophilia. In response, the Jews have stopped procreating. White supremacists are rejoicing, however the government is now convinced that the Global Financial Crisis is bound to continue. Moreover, it has been suggested that Ivy-League collages will be at 40% capacity in 20 years if the Jewish birthday rate does not increase.

Recently, the Gedolai Hador have issued halachic rulings stating that women must be on birth control. Some women are taking two pills a day and their husbands three in order to fulfill HaRav HaGaon HaChossid HaTomin HaYoshor Rav Meir Yitzchok HaLevi Neiglewasser’s chumrah. Health professionals are deeply concerned.