This post is inspired by I AM
FORBIDDEN by Anouk
Markovits. Though not sisters by blood but through their Hasidic faith, Mila
and Atara views the rules and structure of their culture differently. Mila
seeks comfort in the Torah while Atara searches for answers in secular
literature she is forbidden to read. Ultimately each must make an irrevocable
decision that will change their lives forever. Join From
Left to Write on May 8
as we discuss I AM FORBIDDEN. As a member, I received a copy of the book for
review purposes.
This ancient story of trying to control others through
religious laws never gets easier to understand. I find it particularly
challenging as a woman and as ordained clergy. I also find it particularly
obnoxious in the 21st Century and yet, we have seen a rise in the
practice.
In ancient times the miracle of birth seemed more than
miracle, it was mystery and it was particularly mysterious to men. Therefore, women
must be controlled and an effective way of controlling anyone was through their
faith. All power rested with men so it was not difficult to use this power to
control women with religious laws.
The example of this as lived out in the Hasidic community of
the novel, I am Forbidden, reveals
the gut-wrenching choices women often made and the illogical knots people of
faith had to tie themselves into to conform. For examples in today’s world, we
need look no further than the recent controversy between Catholic nuns and the
Catholic hierarchy. For the full story of this conflict go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/american-nuns-stunned-by-vatican-accusation-of-radical-feminism-crackdown/2012/04/20/gIQAi4gkWT_story.html
I also commend to you a Lexington ,
KY Letter to the Editor on the subject of the Vatican vs. the
Nuns: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/05/04/2175073/letters-to-editor-may-4.html
(Scroll down to Nuns Know Best).
As female clergy, I know well the fight that many of my
sisters of the faith have fought in their various religions and in most all
Christian denominations. Progress has been made in the 20th and 21st
centuries but as the Catholic situation indicates, there is always the
possibility of going backwards as well as forward.
I commend to you this well-written novel as an experience of
how painful the results can be when we try to control others through faith.
