Shoshana's recent entry regarding the difference between "frum" and "religious" inspired me to further examine some of the terms people commonly use to define their identity. All too often, people talk past each other by using terms that can mean very different things to very different people. Here, then, is my attempt to wade through the mess and impose my own order on it:
1) Frum: To me, the word "frum" is a cultural one, used to describe Jews who dress, appear and act in a manner consistent with other observant Jews of Ashkenaz descent. Indeed, many might feel odd calling an observant Sephardic Jew "frum" - the term is a Yiddish one and conjures up certain images.
2) Observant: This relates to the ritual observation of a person. What do they actually *do*? Do they follow the laws and practices that their religion proscribes?
3) Religious: This pertains to what a person *thinks*. Does a person accept their religion's belief system with conviction? If so, they are religious.
4) Spiritual: This has to do with the extent a person *feels* a connection to what they believe.
As I said in my comment to Shoshana's entry, I feel we have to be careful when using these terms. I asked myself the question of whether I truly thought they were separable. Can I envision a person who possesses one of these traits and none of the other three? And in each case, I could. It should also be noted that whereas the first term is a uniquely Jewish one, the other three could be applied to any religion.
Speaking personally, if someone were to tell me I became more observant, the answer would be "yes, no question I am now more observant than I was raised." But if someone were to tell me I became more religious, or spiritual, or frum... I wouldn't think they were right.
When discussing identity, it is always tough to avoid fitting people into boxes, eschew labels, and find the right words. Of course, even the above terms are limiting. But perhaps, if we make more of an effort to be precise with our meanings and avoid interchanging words that can mean very different things, it would be a start.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
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6 comments:
Harley yells at me basically constantly to use the term "traditionally observant" instead of "religious."
And chas v'shalom that anyone should ever call me frum.
The fun part of this "classification" is to find ways to determine "levels" of religiousness, spirituality and/or obeservance based on completely silly guidelines...
my favorite? Well, the fact that you can figure out a girl's level of "frumness" based not on the length of her skirt, but the length of her sleeves.
(ooh....I spotted a wrist!)
...and there's always the great felt vs. cloth kippah debate...
Good post
Dont forget about the classification "too cool for school." This is the belief that one is the epitome of frumkite, religiosity, observance and spirituality (FROS) all tied into one. Any deviation from the standards set by that person would make another person less FROS.
In an unrelated note, you boys should flesh out your blogger profiles a bit. Inquiring minds want to know more about you.
Good post about terminology. It seems lately like people have an unquenched desire to want to fit you (okay, me) into a box: are you Modern Orthodox? Are you Conservative? Wait, you keep Kosher at home but you eat fish and dairy out? Don't Orthodox people eat Kosher all the time?
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