The Noachide Dilemma part 11

A potential pitfall in my proposal of independent Noachide communities is the issue of observance. As I have already shown, rabbinic opinion varies as to what a Noachide may or may not do. My own belief is that a Noachide may do any mitzvah voluntarily, other than the few which state specifically that "it is a sign between Me and the Children of Israel". The problem might come in with some wanting to do more, with others wanting to put their spiritual efforts into other types of devotion. While conformity to a community standard can be a good think, it can also be stifling. Care must be taken that these independent communities not become a reflection of the larger Jewish community's struggles. For example, there was an incident a number of years ago, in which a Leftist, Secularist Israeli female politician wanted to "liberate" ultra Orthodox women. In some religious areas in Israel, the buses maintain separate seating for men and women. She got on such a bus, and defiantly sat down in the men's section. She expected cheers from the women. She saw herself as a Jewish Rosa Parks. Instead, the women shouted at her, and threw her off the bus.The separate seating arrangement was in accordance with the ideologies of both genders. These women did not want to be "liberated" by a person who "marched to the beat of a different drummer". I have written about how women in general are halachically permitted to do much more in Judaism than they are currently doing. Many do feel the need for this. But many others are opposed. "Why can't I be like my Mother and Grandmother?" Any community, as I envision it, would need to set loose boundaries; these actions are permissible, but there are other options as well". Can we not have one Noachide putting of Tallit and Tefillin, while his neighbor refrains, feeling that this is not HIS covenant? If such a community would include Baalei Teshuvah and Converts, the need for parameters would be great. The integrity of each group would need to be honored; with sharing where possible, but with differences likewise respected. When I was in college, I had an instructor who was a Black Power advocate. The FBI followed him all over. I once asked him about Black antisemitism, in light of the fact that Jews had been huge supporters of the Civil Rights movement. He answered "suppose the situation was reversed, with the Blacks being affluent and the Jews poor. Imagine I came to your synagogue, and advocated for a free ham for every Jewish family every Friday night. That's what you did to us. We want to celebrate who we are, and rediscover out African heritage. Jewish leaders came to us and said no, you must become doctors and lawyers. That is why we hate you". In my opinion, Noachides, Converts, and Baalei Teshuvah must honor, even celebrate each other's paths. If allowed, we have a great deal to learn from each other. The Jewish establishment might not be happy with this. Means must be found where that would no longer matter.