I'm Gonna Have To Have A Talk With the Orthodox Jews In My Neighborhood

I almost hit three of them with my car as I was traveling six blocks from my house to the supermarket.

The sun had gone down and they were dressed from head to toe in the traditional ortodox black clothing. And, as they ALWAYS do, they walked in the direct MIDDLE of the street.

I turned a corner and barely saw a glimpse of skin under a few hats and above some beards. I stopped short and came within about a foot and a half of whacking them with my bumper.

It's not so bad during the day on Saturdays, because at least you can see them, even if they do slow you down because about 20 of them have to saunter out of your way.

But after dark, you'd think they'd walk on the sidewalk, wouldn't you? I mean, they often have children with them and they let their kids walk in the middle of the street too.

I'm not the most religious of jews, so if I went to the temple to complain I'm sure it would fall on deaf ears. But I'm really getting annoyed at this.

Is the walking-in-the-middle-of-the-street thing a trait that's common to all orthodox jews (I'm a very very very reform jew) or is this just happening in my neighborhood?

I don't want anyone to get hurt, so what exactly should I do?

Complain? Or just grin and bear it?

Have gless tea, piece cake den, talk!

Perhaps they could be the "mediators." No one wants to see anyone get hurt and I know that I would never get over hitting someone with my car. At least they could carry flashlights?

A reflective armband, maybe?

Until sunlight the next day. That means flashlights.

I wonder, tho, Leviticus doesn't say anything about reflective vests....

Is there a reason for this?

Seems strange to me too.....

I know the hassidics in our neighborhoods in LA never walk down the middle of the streets....

Ever.

If they walk with their kids there someone can call the cops on them so do it for their sake.

what the heck is a super reformed jew? you mean like you're like secular but ethnicly a jew or?

an athiest who celebrates Chanukah, Passover and all the 'major' holidays.

But doesn't go to temple.

And eats pork.

And knows about six or seven Hebrew words. :D

Not at all. Reform Judaism is a very real and very serious religion. It is not at all atheistic. Maybe you're thinking of the Ethical Culture movement or of another secular tradition within the overall envelope of Judaism.

Reform Jews believe in God and generally attend temple. Reform Judaism embraces the diversity of thought among its adherents, and its up to individuals whether they want to practice kosher, but a great many do. But a belief in God and a devotion to the Comandments is obligatory.

Most super anything have powers.

My guess is that he's great at math :p

Complete with Hebrew shark repellant, knockout gas and 50 different recipies for potato pancakes. :D

I may be wrong on this.

During Shabbat, there are some very religious Jews that follow the laws of Shabbat in a very literal manner. Pushing the "walk" button at an intersection would violate the rules of Shabbat. Perhaps this group wants to avoid this by walking in the street.

Whatever the reason, I'm sure it has to do with Shabbat observation. As to why, who knows? You could always ask them.

that tape that reflects only at night. It looks silver otherwise. I'm a jew so you can say that I endorsed the look.

... I turned on lights, made coffe, etc. for an Orthodox family the next street over, because they couldn't 'make fire' during the Shabbat. They paid me $20/week to do it for them. :)

food/beverages, as long as they don't do it themselves? Seems like quite the loophole!

better loopholes in our dogma. :D

In Israeli hospitals, during Shabbat, you cannot hit a button that turns on the "Emergency" light if you're a patient. So Talmudic scholars got together and decided that they could have a light that is pre-lit and have the button open the little door infront of the light, indicating an emergency.

or did when you were in high school. There are A LOT of orthodox Jews along Delmar in U City. Some orthodox who live in West County have what they call Shabbat homes in U City and live there from Sundown Friday to Sundown Saturday (and on Jewish holidays) so they can attend the orthodox shuls in U City. During the week they live in West County.

I agree w/the poster who suggested bringing this issue to the police. Is there a neighborhood watch organization in your area? Maybe this is something for them to take up. Or if it is a city area with an alderman he/she could talk to the local rabbinic leaders for you. If the person who started this thread has almost hit a black hatter then I am sure he is not the only one who has had a close encounter.

You were performing an important mitzvah.

Huh?

I can't believe one Jew is telling another Jew how to handle this, even if you are assimilated, but here goes....

Sit down and write them a nice letter. A NICE letter. "Them" meaning the temple you know these gentlemen to attend...

Tell them that because the Torah makes it clear that unless you intervene when another's life or well being is at stake you are sinning, it is your obligation to let them know that you almost creamed them after dark (I would choose different words to describe this, but you get the picture...) and that you are concerned for their safety.

"Do not stand by while your neighbor's blood is shed." - Leviticus 19:16

Do not mention your annoyance with them, but play up your concern for them and the fact that the Torah dictates that you must bring it to their attention.

You will be appealing to them on a level they will not only understand but appreciate, you will have actually performed a mitzvah, AND you will have made your point.

Mazel Tov!

I bet it would work too! :-)

:yourock:

Than bar mitzvah = paying someone a beer? ;)

And I like your translation of Bar Mitzvah...lol

Following your logic, a Bat Mitzvah means Robin and Bruce Wayne are involved in a good deed.

And just to stay somewhat close to the original topic, take KzooDem's advice. It is VERY well put.

JM

in the summertime it is home to NYC Orthodoxs....and they always walk in the middle of the streets and roads....let me know what the out come of your talk is? ....in the country it's really black at night and i also have had many close calls with people dressed
all in black....i have lamanted over making up flyers and passing them out at Temple :shrug: