What is Ultra-Orthodox?
I have been mulling over our recent conversation during which you made some very serious points which merit careful thought. You challenged me on my use of the adjective “Ultra-Orthodox” and suggested that the term could be considered derogatory; that there was no such thing as “Ultra-Orthodox” and asked which of the mitsvot the so-called “Ultra-Orthodox” should give up. Upon reflection, I suggest that the term “Ultra-Orthodox” is an appropriate one; I certainly did not intend to denigrate anyone by its use; there is no question that anyone need give up performance of any mitsvah if he wishes to be Orthodox rather than “Ultra-Orthodox”. The dictionaries to which I have referred generally agree that: – “Ultra means extreme, uncompromising opinions in politics & religion”. “Orthodox implies the holding of right and accepted views, approved, accepted and not theoretical or heterodox, retention of traditional observances”. Since you mentioned that kashrut is among the more important of the
