From the Archives: Monsey Underworld
Check out some of the old Unpious favorites! This week, “Monsey Underworld” by Leeba Weisberg:
As usual, the bachelor pad that Mendy and Heshy shared was filled with assorted members of the Monsey underworld. Most were ex-Chasidic, whether or not they had abandoned the traditional garb, and others were like me – half frum, ex-Yeshivish, disillusioned but happy to have found a group that accepted us unquestioningly.
And check out the conversations in the comments analyzing “clueless Yoeli” and how morality evolves in the process of leaving the religious world:
Ben Sorer Moreh: We’re all “Yoeli”, born clueless, stepping out into the world through trial and error… Sometimes Yoeli encounters Leeba (real name, or also symbolic?) the answer “no” delivered without hard feelings and the knowledge that you can still be friends. In a way, the story taps into the “early” Hasidic stories, of the Baal Shem Tov and Reb Levi Itzhak.
Rupture & Continuity: ….the way we teach morality to our kids is totally God focused. “You don’t do so and so because god doesn’t approve of it, you don’t steal, kill, rape, etc because its “user”.” Understandably, the natural progression of things is that in the event one losses God, morality will follow closely behind it.
Liz: One of the chassidish guys, simply went up to one of the girls and touched her breast – perhaps thinking like any baboon would – that since he’s not in boro park or flatbush that its “okay”. The girl screamed and slapped him, mayhem ensued.
Read the full article and comments: ‘Monsey Underworld‘, by Leeba Weisberg >>
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