What’s a Good Jew, Anyway? — A Gemara (Commentary) on Judaism Unbound Episode 352: “Bad Jews — a History”
This is a commentary on Episode 352 of Judaism Unbound, an interview with Emily Tamkin about her new book, Bad Jews: A History of American Jewish Politics and Identities. I wrote a draft for a blog post similar to one I published a few weeks ago, but it didn’t feel authentic—I realized I was pushing myself to feel more certain than I actually did, in order to create a blog post with a clear “thesis.” This is a complicated topic, and reflecting on it has made me realize that I have more questions than answers about this whole “good/bad/right/wrong Jew” conversation. So here are a few of them:
By Catherine Horowitz, New Voices/Judaism Unbound Fellow (2022-23)
What does it mean to be a bad Jew? To answer that, I think you first need to ask: “what does it mean to be a good Jew?” Because “bad” only exists in relation to “good,” right? Is a “good Jew” like, an objective thing? Is there one set of traits that makes up a “good Jew?” Is there one answer to this question that we’ll eventually, with a lot of learning and thinking and soul searching, figure out? Is a good Jew someone who observes Jewish law? Is a good Jew someone who is committed to social justice? This question is a little too easy. We all know that the answer is no—there’s not an objective way of really saying what a good Jew is. So why are people so obsessed with calling other people bad Jews? What is the use of this?
What is it with all the feelings of superiority—moral superiority, religious superiority—in the Jewish world? Where did this sense of superiority come from? When did Judaism become a competition? Is there anything to win or lose here? How can you be a “better Jew” than someone else? Is there a “best Jew?” Who’s the “best Jew?” Why do some people feel that they know the “right” way to be Jewish? Because, like, is there really any way to do Judaism right? I mean, who are we to decide this, anyway? The pope? God?
What do we mean when we say “Jewish values,” anyway? I’m always hearing about “Jewish values” and how some people don’t abide by them. But what do people actually mean when they say that? Do you think it’s going to be the same, or even remotely similar, for all Jews? Even between two Jews? Is there any set of beliefs inherent to Judaism? I mean, is there really anything all Jews have in common? Is it even useful to ask that question?
My friend is studying abroad in Morocco and explaining Judaism to her host family, who have never heard of it before. She’s asked me, “Do I describe just my Judaism? Orthodoxy? All? Impossible.” I don’t know what “my Judaism” is. I mean, why do I adopt certain Jewish practices or ideas? Is it because I’m actually compelled by them? Sometimes. But sometimes, is it because I feel like that’s what other Jews expect me to do? Is it because I’ve learned that’s what the right thing to do is? Is it because I’m scared to do anything else? Or don’t know anything else? Is it because I want to prove myself? Is there a “my Judaism?” Or is it just the Judaism I’ve learned is “good Judaism?”
How can we get over our fear? How can we get over our guilt? What is more productive than “good Jew or bad Jew?” And why does it have to be so complicated?
Catherine Horowitz is a senior at Oberlin College studying English and Jewish Studies. At Oberlin, she works at the Writing Center, writes for a creative nonfiction magazine, and is a tour guide. She is originally from Silver Spring, Maryland and is the 2022-23 Judaism Unbound/New Voices fellow.
