tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post2193799341369313206..comments2024-03-29T09:34:59.827+03:00Comments on Daas Torah - Issues of Jewish Identity: Reality Check: A frum Jew is supposed to be a nice personDaas Torahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07252904288544083215noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-75439271602433528162013-02-20T21:51:42.717+02:002013-02-20T21:51:42.717+02:00I wonder how these sources admonishing us to be ni...I wonder how these sources admonishing us to be nice and liked by all people should apply to the situation of agunot. Refusing to give a get (even if there is an argument that one is not technically required to give the get in that particular circumstance) is not "nice" because it restricts another person's life (see R' S.R. Hirch, Horeb in the paragraph on oppression), thus causing them to suffer, and of course it also causes many people to hate the get refuser.yeshayanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-56260470643570327062013-02-20T15:47:36.715+02:002013-02-20T15:47:36.715+02:00"Torah umitzvos", "chukim umishpati..."Torah umitzvos", "chukim umishpatim", osanu limad'ta, AL KEN... b'shakhveinu uvkumeineu nosiach BCHUKECHA, VNISMACH bdivrei SORASECHA... ki HEM CHAYYEINU vORECH YAMEINU, etc. That is also from the anshei knesses hagedolah. V'ain tzarich lifnim......Monseyitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-84138304515389158982013-02-20T12:19:40.148+02:002013-02-20T12:19:40.148+02:00Vayikra Rabba (9:3):Derech Eretz precedes the Tora...Vayikra Rabba (9:3):Derech Eretz precedes the Torah. It is not clear what this term means. It seems primarily to indicate manners or normal actions in the world or parnossa. It does not typically mean a good person or a likeable person - but rather someone who is not irritating by their lack of manners<br /><br /><br />ויקרא רבה (וילנא) פרשת צו פרשה ט <br /><br />דא"ר ישמעאל בר רב נחמן עשרים וששה דורות קדמה דרך ארץ את התורה הה"ד (בראשית ג) לשמור את דרך עץ החיים דרך זו דרך ארץ ואח"כ עץ החיים זו תורה <br /><br />The medrash seems to be describing chronology but obviously others understand it as a precondition<br /><br />עירובין (ק:) אמר רבי יוחנן: אילמלא לא ניתנה תורה היינו למידין צניעות מחתול, וגזל מנמלה, ועריות מיונה. דרך ארץ מתרנגול שמפייס ואחר כך בועל. ומאי מפייס לה? אמר רב יהודה אמר רב, הכי קאמר לה: זביננא ליך זיגא דמטו ליך עד כרעיך. לבתר הכי אמר לה: לישמטתיה לכרבלתיה דההוא תרנגולא, אי אית ליה ולא זביננא ליך<br /><br /><br />Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky (Emes l’Yaakov): According to the halacha, Avraham was not oblligated to risk his life to save his nephew Lot…. Avraham risked his life because the Patriarchs were yeshorim (upright) [Avoda Zara 25a]. That means that their actions were not governed only by the strict letter of Torah law – but by straight thinking. G d made man inherently yoshor (upright). According to uprightness there was an obligation to try and save Lot… Avraham felt responsible for Lot’s welfare because Lot’s father had died in a furnace because of his belief in the G d of Avraham. Therefore according to upsrightness (menshlikeit) Avraham had to organize his men and pursue after Lot’s captors. In truth the lives of the Patriarchs - which was before the giving of the Torah – was conducted on the basis of uprightness. This is the meaning of the expression [Vayikra Rabbah 9:3] that derech eretz (civility) preceded the Torah… Therefore this civility and menshlikeit can be expected even from non Jews. Even though they weren’t given all the mitzvos, but everyone can live in accordance with the inherent uprightness - if he wantsRav Tzadok says that the civility which goyim are more careful about than Jews is in fact not Derech Eretz. He defines derech eretz as a recognition of that all worldly things are from G-d. He also says that derech eretz is Fear of G-d. He also uses it in its more conventional meaning as that which human intelligence requires as opposed to Torah which is above human intelligence.Daas Torahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07252904288544083215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-44479505210158577842013-02-20T05:25:08.093+02:002013-02-20T05:25:08.093+02:00Excellent post!
The point about being defensive ...Excellent post! <br /><br />The point about being defensive and blaming problems on anti-charedism is very important, I think, because that's a characteristic of modern vitriolic nationalism, in which people refuse to criticize their own nation and blame all their problems on outsiders, as opposed to the Torah approach, which is do teshuvah when something bad happens and humbly assume it was because of our sins.<br /><br />Derech eretz [being a good person] precedes the Torah. (I believe this quote is from the Midrash). Only if Torah makes us better people than the average secular "good person" will people have any regard for Torah or Torah scholars.yeshayanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-79726973340955085442013-02-19T16:33:27.568+02:002013-02-19T16:33:27.568+02:00Good post, good comments - but Avrohom, this post ...Good post, good comments - but Avrohom, this post need not be run past Rav Sternbuch. That's just the point.Elliot Pasiknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-91073895426258135212013-02-19T09:08:40.433+02:002013-02-19T09:08:40.433+02:00Absolutely spot on! The truth of this post is so ...Absolutely spot on! The truth of this post is so blindingly obvious that I hope no-one needs the sources quoted to be convinced. Avi Noffersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-64517535942634282502013-02-18T07:30:40.864+02:002013-02-18T07:30:40.864+02:00An interesting aside - if you look through Shemone...An interesting aside - if you look through Shemonei Esreh, it doesn't seem that Torah makes up a large part of davening. We do daven for daas (which is consistent with the quotes you brought in your blog about the importance of daas)but Torah knowledge itself has a surprisingly rare appearance in the requests. This is certainly surprising given the emphasis it is given in every mussar schmooze and hashkafic talk that one is exposed to today. Avrohomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-20401167412245583792013-02-18T05:01:46.052+02:002013-02-18T05:01:46.052+02:00"In addition he should not speak with a woman... "In addition he should not speak with a woman in the market – even if it is his own wife or sister or daughter."<br /><br />Does this still apply nowadays?Mikeynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-12901932634549699142013-02-18T00:55:48.943+02:002013-02-18T00:55:48.943+02:00Rabbi Eidonsohn
An absolutely essential piece. I...Rabbi Eidonsohn<br /><br />An absolutely essential piece. I think the lomdus of Torah, the focus on little details that have almost no relevance to life as a whole or specifically and the abandonment of Nach and the bigger picture of what Yiddishkeit is about is the root cause of all the confusion. It would be great if you could expand further on this. I think Chareidim (of which I identify with) have learnt to define themselves in the negative, by "they are not what anyone else is" and that the lack of a positive definition is really problematic. It would also be interesting if you could run this past Rav Sternbuch and see his response - whether he agrees or opposes this post. Avrohomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-60447062238499743412013-02-17T23:46:20.039+02:002013-02-17T23:46:20.039+02:00Personally I find most charedim quite pleasant. Bu...Personally I find most charedim quite pleasant. But as they say in Yiddish, be too sweet and you'll be eaten. Avraham 1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-25898974664841890312013-02-17T22:59:44.198+02:002013-02-17T22:59:44.198+02:00Excellent post. Kol ha'kavod.Excellent post. Kol ha'kavod.Garynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-31073847652558685442013-02-17T19:54:09.559+02:002013-02-17T19:54:09.559+02:00One of my favorite posts since I started following...One of my favorite posts since I started following your blog a couple of years ago. Thank you!yitznewtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10559815169235725734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-69620864123196172812013-02-17T18:46:26.705+02:002013-02-17T18:46:26.705+02:00DT, Thank you.
Re. the "the concern for the ...DT, Thank you.<br /><br />Re. the "the concern for the dangers and challenges of our time" vs. "the goal of life", I recalled a talk given by Rav Yehuda Amital, זצ"ל, in the early years of his yeshiva (Kislev 5741/1980): <i>"Selective Confrontation: The Role of the Modern Jewish Leader"</i>.<br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br /><< <i><br /><br />Of course, there is always the danger that one will be influenced by that which one is attempting to change. By identifying with the problems, faults and needs of the people, one becomes sympathetic and even empathetic to their plight. However, the best defense against such a reaction is not to sever ties but always to strive to maintain perspective. If one understands that identification does not mean mimicry; that understanding does not necessitate confirming; that empathy does not entail total acceptance - then offering help will not lead to needing it, and one can become and remain the source of influence and not its object. The process of selective confrontation will allow through its sieve only that which has been refined and made palatable to Judaism. The danger, though still present, remains minimal, while the achievement, of returning many of our people to a life guided by the Torah, through a process of sanctification and holiness, is a great one indeed.<br /><br />A total denial and ignorance of the capacity of the gentile world to wield its influence upon Judaism can only yield disastrous results. It will serve to alienate permanently those who might want to try to return to the religion of their forefathers. Separation and severance of all ties to the gentile world, where it must be remembered that a majority of our people identify with and function within, can only serve to divide and cut one off from most of the Nation of Israel. As was the case with Noach, cutting onself off from one's contemporaries causes an inability to help them and instill hope in them. We must always retain a certain degree of sympathy, understanding and identification for our generation, no matter how detestable their life-style might be to us, for this is the only way to face and to help them overcome these problems.<br /><br /></i>>><br /><br />In 2 parts:<br />http://vbm-torah.org/archive/sichot/shonot/rya-confront1.htm<br />http://vbm-torah.org/archive/sichot/shonot/rya-confront2.htm<br /><br />Also ... I wonder whether Rav Amital partly had in mind the end of MT Yesodei ha-Tora perek 5 (http://www.mechon-mamre.org/i/1105.htm#15). Possibly a source for your argument?Just a Civilianhttp://bit.ly/JaCh5b44noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-82621044048796008262013-02-17T15:56:24.628+02:002013-02-17T15:56:24.628+02:00Just added this quote:
Rav Chaim Vital(Sha'ar... Just added this quote:<br /><br />Rav Chaim Vital(Sha'arei Kedusha fourth section): [explains how to attain prophesy]. The first requirement is to be a good person.He relates the following story, There was a man who was constantly fasting and also did many good deeds such as arranging for the weddings of many orphans. However he had a yearning for status and importance. He went to a group of pious men who had reached the level of prophecy and said to their leader, "My master please show me favor by explaining why despite my many good deeds I have not attained prophecy as you have?" The leader replied, "Take a bag full of nuts and figs and hang it around your neck. Go to the main street of the city and gather a group of youths in the presence of the most distinguished citizens. You should say to the youths, 'Whoever wants to get the figs and nuts should come and slap me on the neck and face.' After you have done this many times you should return to me and I'll guide you to attaining Truth." The man replied, "How can such an important and distinguished person such as myself do such a thing?" The leader replied, "You think I am asking such a big thing? This is the easiest path if you want to be able to comprehend the light of Truth." Immediately the man left feeling totally dejected.<br />Daas Torahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07252904288544083215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-7930182965127126112013-02-17T15:00:13.309+02:002013-02-17T15:00:13.309+02:00Funny I just read this today in the daily Chok L&#...Funny I just read this today in the daily Chok L'Yisrael, it is from Rav Chaim Vital's Shaarei Kedusha, 2:4<br /><i>The trait of being particular and exacting is a branch of pride and anger. Our Rabbis, of blessed memory said(Pesachim 110b), Whoever is particular, they are particular concerning him. And his sins are not forgiven, as it says;(Micah 7:18) "Who bears sin and passes over iniquity." For whom does He bear sin? For one who passes over iniquity and forgives insults.</i><br /><br />We've developed a culture of being particular. When a person can "lose their place in the world to come" because of the party they vote for, and we can call Jews Sheretz(again because of political affiliation) we have definitely become particular.<br /><br /><i>It is not about getting a child to be a caricature in an Artscroll biography.</i><br />The biggest problem is that Artscroll biographies themselves are caricatures. We've thrown off the teaching of our sages that says a Tzadik is made over many years of long hard work and self perfection, and now they are born. It started with Chassidim, who needed to develop a theology for why Tzadikut was suddenly hereditary, and it went from there. To the point that <b>Making of a Gadol</b> gets banned because it tells the story of how Gedolim struggled to overcome their negative character traits.Rabbi Michael Tzadokhttp://mekubal.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com