Confessions of a religious anarchist in Israel
He distanced himself from the ultra-Orthodox world of his youth, does not attend synagogue and calls himself secular, but author Dov Elbaum still has a profoundly Jewish soul. His goal? To help create a secular halakha and new cultural language for nonobservant believers.
Published 20:49 03.05.12
Latest update 20:49 03.05.12
By Tamar Rotem
Anyone banished from the paradise of childhood is destined to go on yearning for it. Twelve-year-old Dov Elbaum was sent to yeshiva, away from the forest near his home where he had played in ancient and moss-covered caves, while in his imagination he conversed with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. His days became filled with Torah study, his nights with contemplation of sin.
Now, many years after he left the ultra-Orthodox world and became a journalist and writer, Elbaum is once again writing about his childhood in the shade of the carob trees − as if he were longing for the time when his imagination roamed freely and his belief in God was innocent and pure, before the serpent of doubt shook the Garden of Eden with seductive whisperings. Fortunately, whenever such yearning is stirred in Elbaum’s heart, it spawns a new book.
Unlike his three previous works of prose, which depicted a tortured quest for faith, this time Elbaum has written a book in rhyme, “Yanuka be’i Hanesharim”, “The Eagle’s Island,” published by Am Oved, featuring beautifully delicate illustrations by Liora Grossman. “The Eagle’s Island” is a fairy tale inspired by the story of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. Elbaum has lectured for years on Jewish philosophy and is a great admirer of Rabbi Nachman. Such knowledge often informs his weekly Torah portion show on Channel 1 and his books as well. But until now, he hasn’t ever really tried his hand at adapting a text from Jewish literature and translating it for the secular public.
Elbaum, 42, is publishing this new book as the first anniversary of his mother’s death nears. In his office at the Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, where he is a research fellow, he appears somewhat withdrawn. There is no trace of the television personality who often uses a pompous and dramatic style of presentation. He is sprawled lazily in his chair and his voice sounds sleepy. Perhaps he is afflicted with that malady of television stars whose personality shrinks as soon as they’re out of the spotlight. But Elbaum, who has always showed an aversion to star status, provides another explanation of his relaxed appearance.
http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/magazine/confessions-of-a-religious-anarchist-in-israel-1.428080