David Mamet

Anti-Semitism, Self-hatred, and the Jews (Jewish Encounters)

The Wicked Son

David Mamet's "The Wicked Son" is an interesting condemnation of modern, "social Jewery" (self-identifying Jews who don't practice the religion). Where many modern Jews see a lack of spirituality in Judaism, Mamet sees a lack of spirituality (and faith and pride and self-respect) in modern Jews.  

Mamet's arguments aren't nuanced, but they do have a certain logic. What's disappointing is that while someone like Rodger Kamenetz sees a path into Judaism from outside religions, Mamet doesn't seem to have the patience for that kind of exploration. It's almost as if he sees Judaism as too easily lost.  

Mamet's ultimate argument for Judaism is its age and heritage. And while tradition is important, how can he not examine why so many Jews are leaving the fold? Can it really be a failure of character that transcends socio-economic factors, geography, and age? Or should the religion be examined, as many in the Jewish revival movements are doing?  

(Not to say that Judaism needs to be overhauled--just to acknowledge that it must be allowed to evolve, as it has done over thousands of years.)  

Consciously or not, Mamet defends Judaism from a position of fear. If he had more faith in the survival of the religion, he might be more open to helping it adjust to the modern world. Instead of advocating Jews going to temple and eventually finding faith, he might see that faith can grow a bit more organically and isn't necessarily learned like a language.  Mamet also spends huge chunks of the book defending Israel, which some people will like and some people will hate.

Steven Ovadia

David Mamet's "The Wicked Son" is an interesting condemnation of modern, "social Jewery" (self-identifying Jews who don't practice the religion). Where many modern Jews see a lack of spirituality in Judaism, Mamet sees a lack of spirituality (and faith and pride and self-respect) in modern Jews.  

Mamet's arguments aren't nuanced, but they do have a certain logic. What's disappointing is that while someone like Rodger Kamenetz sees a path into Judaism from outside religions, Mamet doesn't seem to have the patience for that kind of exploration. It's almost as if he sees Judaism as too easily lost.  

Mamet's ultimate argument for Judaism is its age and heritage. And while tradition is important, how can he not examine why so many Jews are leaving the fold? Can it really be a failure of character that transcends socio-economic factors, geography, and age? Or should the religion be examined, as many in the Jewish revival movements are doing?  

(Not to say that Judaism needs to be overhauled--just to acknowledge that it must be allowed to evolve, as it has done over thousands of years.)  

Consciously or not, Mamet defends Judaism from a position of fear. If he had more faith in the survival of the religion, he might be more open to helping it adjust to the modern world. Instead of advocating Jews going to temple and eventually finding faith, he might see that faith can grow a bit more organically and isn't necessarily learned like a language.  Mamet also spends huge chunks of the book defending Israel, which some people will like and some people will hate.

The Wicked Son Anti-Semitism, Self-hatred, and the Jews (Jewish Encounters)

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