This past week, millions of Americans–and hundreds of millions of YouTube viewers from around the world–were revealed a special insight into the emotional stupidity, ignorance and ethnocentrism of Orthodox Jewry. Looking through the eyes of Hulk Hogan as he tries to do everything to make Orthodox Jews feel at ease, one can understand the feelings of resentment that non-Orthodox Jews feel towards the Orthodox: the stereotypes they engender, the coldness they show to others, the harmful effects of acting as if everyone understands the nature and justifications for
Mitzvot.
For those who have not seen the full video, see it now. Question: why in the world would Jews act in the way they did–literally repelling offers of hospitality? Why in the world could they not have just once said, “Hi, so great to have you in the neighborhood. Please, come in. Thanks so much for bringing cookies–unfortunately we can’t eat them for dietary reasons but would love to treat you to something to eat and drink?” The worst probably was the rabbi at the BBQ–who, after learning that Hogan went out of his way to buy Kosher meat and hoped nothing less than to treat his visitors each on their own terms, was berated in a ridiculous and insensitive way. This is a Rabbi?! No wonder we have the problems we have within the Jewish community, let alone without.
I don’t think I saw one show of Jewish hospitality throughout the entire show. Instead, forgetting the lessons of Abraham and the beauty of our tradition, these Jews were so self-obsessed that they forgot the human element behind the mitzvot, and the importance of Kibbud Orchim and the need l’Kabel Kol Adam b’Sever Panim Yafot.
And don’t think that this happens only to the Hogan’s. It happens every day–even in Israel, where Orthodox Jews are so damn sure of the justice of their actions that they forget the importance of explaining why they do things in a way that brings out the beauty of the tradition–the wisdom of mindfullness in food and action.
Anyone who cares about Judaism, anyone who believes that Orthodox Judaism has a beautiful wisdom to share with the world, should raise their voices in protest against this type of behavior. As a Jew who is orthoprax, and believes in the wisdom of Halakha, I am ashamed–and look forward to the day I will be able to rebuke these Jews in person.
January 30th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
I think you really misread the rabbi at the Hulkster’s beer-bq.
Let’s take a look at the interaction:
Hulk tells Rabbi Freiberg that he’s got kosher hamburgers cooking with non kosher burgers on the same grill - which kosher keepers know is a problem. Hulk of course wouldn’t so the rabbi, laughing, says, “Dude its no good.”
It’s good hearted, then he tries to explain the concept of mikvah to the former WWF champion in a very congenial way. He’s spreading knowledge about Judaism to a non Jew.
Hulk says he really messed up, then the following exchange happens:
Rabbi: “You didn’t mess up. You did great. You’re trying to help everyone out.”
Hulk:”I have catered food that’s kosher, so i think everybody should be cool.”
Rabbi: “You have catered food? Its good.”
Hulk: “It’s all good?”
Rabbi: “It’s really good.”
Hulk: “I learned something new today.”
Rabbi: “That was really considerate of you.”
If you ask me, that was almost a perfect exchange. Sure it was a bit awkward at first, but when was the last time you had to break the heart of a 250 pound, possibly ‘roid raging Hulkamaniac? The rabbi was grateful, consoling and tried to explain something. The Hulk seemed to get it and seemed thankful, though a little embarrassed.
So where does your comment come from? :
“The worst probably was the rabbi at the BBQ–who, after learning that Hogan went out of his way to buy Kosher meat and hoped nothing less than to treat his visitors each on their own terms, was berated in a ridiculous and insensitive way. This is a Rabbi?! No wonder we have the problems we have within the Jewish community, let alone without.”
Well, maybe it’s that we are just a little to critical of our own people sometimes, a little to quick to judge, and obviously a little too angry about certain segments of our Jewish society to view their actions in an un-jaded manner.
But if you really want to see the problem, read the anti-Semitic comments that follow in the youtube comments section.
January 30th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Hi Jacob,
I’ll certainly grant you that the last part of the Rabbi’s exchange was better than his beginning–but it is very hard to fix a situation after you have already rebuked someone who did something in good faith. By that time, the Hulk was already hurt–and from that point on nothing the Rabbi could say would heal the initial impression.
As for the anti-Semitic comments, I am less concerned about those, since they are not within my power to change at the moment. I care more about our own ethics and values, and hope we will be able to learn from this ugly example of Jewish self-involvement to treat our non-Orthodox friends differently.
January 30th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
show me the rebuke.
January 31st, 2007 at 12:01 am
I don’t have the ability to listen to the audio at this moment–I’m in a public computer lab without earphones–but this is how I remember the beginning (and what I reacted so harshly to), with all quotes being paraphrased statements:
Hulk [all happy that he finally did good by the Jews who he’s been trying to please the whole time]: Hey there, here is the meat you guys can eat. Check it out–I did good listening to your needs. Dig in.
Rabbi: [in a harsh tone] What are you talking about, you can’t do THAT.
Hulk: Why not? I did exactly what the guy in the store said–this is Kosher.
Rabbi: No it’s not–you need to dump it all in a mikva
Hulk: But it is new
Rabbi: [Instead of trying to solve the problem and say, well, you could boil water or wrap the grill in tinfoil] it doesn’t matter if it is new–we Jews are so damn special that we need you to go to a specially built bath and dump your new grill into it.
–Yeah, that is what I am reacting to. Halakhically, if the Hulk double-wrapped a new grill in tin-foil, could he have cooked on it? Possibly. If the Hulkster poured boiling water on it, thereby cleansing, and then put some tin-foil–could that have made it Kosher? I would daresay yes. But did the Rabbi want to get to yes? Nope. And that is the problem in the interaction, and what made me so upset.
I think Kosher is beautiful–but only when done for good, and done while trying to do good.
January 31st, 2007 at 12:59 am
I think you’re overreacting, Ariel. While I’m happy to criticize bad behavior when it exists, I don’t think this is a good example (like, say, religious men shoving women on the bus).
I thought the rabbi dude who explained to Brooke about negiah did so well and good-naturedly, providing her with a reason and a substitute for the social contact she was used to. And then when he went over to the grill, the “it’s no good” comment was out of not really knowing what to say. He’s a guest in someone’s home, he’s on camera, he’s representing the Jewish people–he just can’t win. Eventually, he explains it to the Hulk–not an unimposing figure even when he’s not hovering over and having access to fire–and the Hulk accepts it goodnaturedly. I think the segment was pretty well done.
Also, there was this moment earlier on, when the Hogans went door-to-door to meet the new neighbors with their nonkosher cookies, and were mostly rebuffed; Mrs. Hogan said something about “Maybe after the holiday you’ll be able to have some.” This reveals that she has no idea what kosher is, but also indicates that they may have been filming them on a holiday (or more likely in my mind’s imagining of the situation, a Saturday), which may explain a reticence to being on camera.
I doubt any of my comments will help you change your mind, but I’m finding it interesting that there’s more than one way to interpret a “Celebreality” show from VH1.
January 31st, 2007 at 1:20 am
Ariel. This is the entire exchange from beginning to end. without any editorialized, angry inserts from the poster (i.e.: t doesn’t matter if it is new–we Jews are so damn special that we need you to go to a specially built bath and dump your new grill into it.)
hulk: I think I finally have this kosher thing all figured out. (pointing to the treif burgers) this stuff is the normal food. (Pointing to the Kosher burgers) This tuff is kosher.
Rabbi:so you have the kosher on the grill with the non kosher
hulk: yeah, so grab a bun and dig in boss.
rabbi: (smiling, very eay to see good naturedly) It’s no good.
Hulk: What do you mean
rabbi: (Still smiling) You’ve got to use a grill that’s kosher
Hulk: (obviously a little frustrated) It’s a brand new grill
Rabbi: You can’t cook non kosher food on the grill and then cook kosher food. You have to take the grill to a mikvah.
Hulk: what’s a mikvah?
Rabbi: it’s a ritual bath
Hulk: Woah. I messed up. (earnestly delivered)
Rabbi: (smiling.) “You didn’t mess up. You did great. You’re trying to help everyone out.”
Hulk:”I have catered food that’s kosher, so i think everybody should be cool.”
Rabbi: “You have catered food? Its good.”
Hulk: “It’s all good?”
Rabbi: “It’s really good.”
Hulk: “I learned something new today.”
Rabbi: “That was really considerate of you.”
The entire exchange is good natured. The Rabbi explains in as simple terms as he can what the problem is. The Hulkster is gracious. They shake hands. and after the rabbi walks away the hulk shakes his head blows out a breath and says, man, that really sucks. He feels bad he didn’t quite figure it out.
There are plenty of instances where Jews of all ilk are elitist and haughty and xenophobic. This was not one of them. Perhaps look at your reaction to this scene (and watch it again) and ask yourself if you are having the same reaction to this rabbi that you thought the rabbi was havhng to the Hulk.
But there is a lot of bile in your post and a lot of projection, it seems. Like you would have been happier if the rabbi really was a jerk to the Hulk.
And why is there not the same reaction to Hulks son, who keeps saying that they should just serve the Jews non-kosher food, but tell them that it’s kosher?
January 31st, 2007 at 11:58 am
This blog is new to me and I must say that I am confused by the intention of Ariel’s critique of the Rabbi’s response to the Hulk’s offer at the end of the segment. I do believe that, under the rather precarious circumstances that Esther so pointedly discussed, the Rabbi did a fine job to minimize the uncomfortable situation. It seems that if Ariel goes back and carefully watches the segment again that he may have a different opinion.
However, I do agree with Ariel’s response to Jacob’s mention of the anti-Semitic responses on YouTube in that we can do little–beyond continually engage in dialogue, thus keeping the issue visible to all–about the thousands of years of beliefs that permeate much of the world. More importantly, we must address the deep internal animosity that exists between Jews of the left and right/religious and secular so that we can close the divide and no longer be our own worst enemy.
I am not sure if Ariel’s seemingly misdirected and tendentious criticism is a positive step towards achieving this goal. Nonetheless, I do appreciate the opportunity to discuss such important issues.
January 31st, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Jacob, Esther and Adam, I will certainly grant you that I might have judged the Rabbi’s actions much more harshly than I should have. On third view of the video, I can see where you are coming from. But trust me, if you came from where I came from you would see it exactly as I did.
said, I saw the video as I did because I come from a secular Israeli background. Yes, I now keep kosher and shabbat, but I can’t express to you the frustration that I and my family have felt when Rabbis such as this one spoke to us exactly as this Rabbi spoke to the Hulk: condescendingly, they act as if we should know something about their special rules and strictures.
No, it doesn’t bother me that the non-Jewish boy wanted to feed the Kosher Jews non-Kosher food, because at no time was he explained why being Kosher is important. And he isn’t a representative of the non-Jews. The Rabbi is a representative, and that means that he needs to take every encounter with someone who does not know Orthodoxy’s strictures as a learning experience, one that would be reacted to in patience and with a contstructive attitude. All he needed to say was, “Wow Hulk, thanks so much for getting us Kosher meat! But let me tell you–we have this thing that has to do with our identity, based on the Bible, and we can’t eat the meat because…”
February 1st, 2007 at 1:08 am
If you’re going to call an anonymous rabbi representative, you absolutely have to call a cultural icon and his family who are watched by — as you say in your original post — hundreds of millions of people representative. And suggesting lying about serving someone kosher food is not just insensitive, but culturally demeaning.
Would it have been ok if the hulks moved into an indian neighborhood and invited over all of the hindus, but instead of serving vegetarian served meat, but said it was satan or tofu?
February 1st, 2007 at 1:51 am
I thought I was going to be able to pass up the chance to make fun of Jacob for misspelling “seitan.” But apparently, I’m not that nice a person.
Beyond typos, I have to say that while what Hulk’s son said was uttered in ignorance, it was also expressed in the surly tones of teendom–much like one of my Catholic floormates said to me at college: “You can’t go to a dance because it’s on Friday night? Can’t you just not be Jewish for one night?” Umm, no. She didn’t get it, because I was one of the first observant Jews she ever met.
How you live in Florida without knowing what kosher is, I’m not sure. But teenagers are annoyed at people no matter what they do, and their default is to mock what they don’t understand. Much like Ghostbusters, but without the cool gear.
Haven’t we discussed this enough?
February 1st, 2007 at 3:05 am
Never enough! Hulk will be triumphant!
February 1st, 2007 at 1:57 pm
seitan is the devil’s work
February 7th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
Seemed to me the rabbi behaved graciously, as did the Hulkster. I’m sorry you bring the cultural baggage of your negative experiences in the Israeli, secular/religious divide to your viewing of this. As someone who grew up as a secular American (though now a religious Israeli), I think the vast majority of Americans probably came away with a positive impression, and what’s more it was pretty entertaining. Your post seems to reveal much more about you than it does about the video you are ostensibly commenting on.
February 7th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Ariel’s posting was right on. None of the Orthodox Jews featured in the video were mean-spirited or hostile in any way. But that really isn’t the point. The problem with this community is that it is very insular; its members tend to be completely cut off from the rest of society. This behavior directly contributes to anti-Semitism, ignorance about Jews and Judaism, and tensions with non-Jewish neighbors. Anyone remember the Crown Heights riot?
February 7th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Jacob: The rabbi is not “representative of Jews” but it is “A representative” of the Jews. Every one of us is, and whenever we interact with non-Jews, we should hold ourselves to a high standard.
August 5th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I just came across this article. I found it quite sad. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think it was written by an antisemite. I’m surprised how any organization could promote such hate against its own.
August 7th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Dude, I haven’t had the time to go thru all of the comments to your point. You should know that shows like these are all set up, I know everyone in that episode personally, and it is how the producers want things to happen. He wouldn’t be a good rabbi if he didn’t do what was right. You want him to eat a non kosher hamburger on national television? Also keep in mind when a random person comes to your door with a camera crew, think how that would feel.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Guys…it was a set up. He knew it wasn’t gonna be Kosher. SHeesh.
August 12th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
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September 25th, 2008 at 5:25 am
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