I was raised as a Conservative Jew. I have many childhood memories of hypocrisy. Often, at another family’s home, after poker games, the adults would verify that Grandpa was asleep and then order out ribs. Grandpa was not asleep. He simply waited until the order arrived and everyone was eating and then saunter downstairs for a “glazel wasser.” Everyone would freeze and Granpa would serenely get his water and slowly walk back upstairs, smiling. When my father was away on business, my mother would make kielbasa for us. She once tried to get our Jewish pediatrician to say bacon was ok for kids “because of the minerals.” I remember her telling Dad she bought meat at the supermarket because it was cleaner than the Jewish butcher’s.
Many Jews simply ignore dietary laws, like Catholics ignore birth control laws.
“I have many childhood memories of hypocrisy.”
Strange.
I am proud to be Jewish and don’t view the dietary restrictions as “restrictions” at all -— but blessings from G-d.
Now, I don’t know why the rules exist, but I know He is good, and that’s enough for me to accept His rules, just like my daughters have learned to accept “because I told you so.”