As we've written before, many times, on these pages, the speeches from the pulpit do their best to diminish the importance of mitzvot bein adam lamakom. Time and time again, we are told how extremely important it is to be honest (which is correct), but the importance of shabbat, kashrut, etc are played down as much as possible. This, obviously, in keeping with the general philosophy of maintaining as irreligious and ignorant a membership as possible, so that one man's authority can't be questioned.
Yesterday, I thought that maybe, just maybe, something had changed a little bit. But I was wrong.
The speech started out with the usual "some people place so much emphasis on all the details of religious observance but are dishonest and wind up in the papers" kind of thing. Which is true, but hardly relevant--the vast majority of our congregation is honest, but, unfortunately, many are not observant of shabbat, etc. And then he said, "but on the other hand, there are people who say that they're honest, good people, and that's all they think they need to do..." And I was so happy that finally he would come out and tell people of the importance of following the rest of the Torah! And then he said, "but they neglect the spiritual side." And that was it. No shabbat, kashrut, taharat hamishpacha. Just, "the spiritual side." So, according to him, all the Torah wants us to do is be honest....and spiritual. Right.
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