tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post4586976538078097084..comments2024-03-28T21:30:33.665+02:00Comments on Daas Torah - Issues of Jewish Identity: How to Get Porn Out of Our Yeshivas by Raffi BilekDaas Torahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07252904288544083215noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-72308191368786199762015-05-05T19:45:46.230+03:002015-05-05T19:45:46.230+03:00Your
Brain on Porn 6 part youtube playlist (a det...Your<br /> Brain on Porn 6 part youtube playlist (a detailed scientific <br />explanation on pornography addiction and its impact on the brain):<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?...Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-87457290012789495182015-05-04T19:48:12.238+03:002015-05-04T19:48:12.238+03:00I thought the satirical intent was clear.I thought the satirical intent was clear.kishkeyumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-82035351845818348302015-05-04T17:59:30.842+03:002015-05-04T17:59:30.842+03:00It implies no such thing. Of course, I certainly h...It implies no such thing. Of course, I certainly hope I know more than you, though that sets a very low bar.<br /><br />As a rule, I refrain from involving myself in your so-called Torah discussions, which are often actually distortions of Torah to fit your anti-Torah notions. I have no interest in fueling your ongoing זיוף התורה. Torah is a two-edged sword: זכה נעשית לו סם חיים לא זכה נעשית לו סם המוות. I try to stay on the right side of that divide.<br /><br />I also find distasteful your habit of deriding chareidim, which borders on open hatred. I seems ridiculous to me to discuss Torah with someone who displays hatred for an entire community of Jews, specifically a community deeply committed to shemiras Torah u'mitzvos.<br /><br />And finally, your observed genius at never, ever grasping the point makes it impossible to discuss Torah with you. It is an exercise in futility.kishkeyumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-1632276259991758912015-05-04T15:55:24.383+03:002015-05-04T15:55:24.383+03:00Yes, I do. It seems, from the general direction of...Yes, I do. It seems, from the general direction of your comments, that you live in a simplistic, black and white world, where all non-charedim are bad, and all charedim are good, and especially if they carry the title of Rosh Yeshiva or Rov. This is not the case in the real world.Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-91126383130361077232015-05-04T15:52:34.926+03:002015-05-04T15:52:34.926+03:00When you use the term "better," one imag...When you use the term "better," one imagines a fellow going to a Rov and asking him--I am going to commit an aveira. Which one is the better one to commit? <br />Yes, from certain bechinot, certain aveirot are worse than others. But you can't take a single statement of Chazal out of context and build an entire structure on it. That is my general point. These statements are meant to be academic, not practical. Because if someone goes to a Rov to ask which aveira is "better," the premeditation involved in his actions alone is somewhat heretical, and then he has lost out from that bechina, even if he ends up doing the aveira that is "better." That was basically the point that Rav Yaakov was making.Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-62636763156365372722015-05-04T12:49:05.020+03:002015-05-04T12:49:05.020+03:00@Nat no one is stopping you from writing satire. I...@Nat no one is stopping you from writing satire. I am just letting you know it isn't perceived as suchDaas Torahhttp://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-30937204316801406252015-05-04T12:26:33.222+03:002015-05-04T12:26:33.222+03:00Those familiar with literature understand satire t...Those familiar with literature understand satire to be one of many available literary tools. Otherwise, it's like telling someone he can't write a sentence in a book because, according to Word grammar check, the sentence is incorrect.Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-25452135252649063822015-05-04T12:26:20.579+03:002015-05-04T12:26:20.579+03:00yes, but in a certain bechina, as you state, it is...yes, but in a certain bechina, as you state, it is "better" or less worse to do the aveira than the thought.Eddienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-7802127350096754822015-05-04T11:50:13.619+03:002015-05-04T11:50:13.619+03:00@Eddie - there are many explanations
רבינו בחיי ...@Eddie - there are many explanations <br /><br />רבינו בחיי (דברים פרק כט:יח): וזהו שאמרו רז"ל: (יומא כט א) הרהורי עבירה קשין מעבירה, לפי שהרהור הזה יוצא לידי פעולה ומתגלה בגוף, ועל כן יהא קשה מעבירה בלא הרהור, שהרי בזה הרהור ופעולה, ובזה פעולה בלא הרהור. והמאמר הזה לרז"ל גדול הערך מאד, רבו בו הפירושים, וזה שאמרתי אחד. ועוד פירשו בו: הרהורי עבירה קשין מעבירה, כי רגילות המחשבה מביא האדם לידי עבירה. ועוד פירשו, כי הרהורי עבירה קשין על הנפש מעבירה עצמה לפי שהרהור תלוי בלב והנפש משכנה בלב, ועל כן כשהוא מטמא אותה במחשבה רעה קשה יותר מן העבירה עצמה כי העושה עבירה עצמה אין מחשבתו כל כך טרודה. ועוד פירשו בו: הרהורי עבירה קשין מעבירה, כי המחשב לעשות עבירה אחת כגון לגזול או לגנוב או לבא על אחת מן העריות וחשב בלבו: אם יבא אדם כנגדו שם לבטל מה שאני רוצה לעשות, אכנו או אהרגנו, כדי שאשלים חפצי, ונמצא כי כשגנב או גזל או בא על הערוה שעשה עבירה אחת, אצל ההרהור היה קשה יותר מגוף העבירה שהרהר כמה עבירות וגמר בלבו שיכה ושיהרוג ולבסוף יעשה העבירה.<br />ואם ישאל שואל: והאיך יעניש הכתוב על ההרהור בלא מעשה, כי בודאי אין האדם יכול לשלוט בעצמו שלא יעלו בלבו מחשבות רעות, ואם כן למה יעניש על מה שאינו בידו. אבל אודיעך עיקר הדבר, ידוע כי בחירת המעשים מסורה בידו של אדם לטוב ולרע, הוא שכתוב: (דברים ל, טו - יט) "ראה נתתי לפניך היום את החיים ואת הטוב ואת המות ואת הרע וגו', ובחרת בחיים", גם בחירת המחשבה מסורה בידו אחר ההכנות, כי נצטוה שיחשוב מחשבה טובה ונזהר שיפנה לבו מלחשוב מחשבה רעה, והוא נגמל על המחשבה הטובה ונענש על המחשבה הרעה. ומה שלפעמים יולידו סרעפיו ורעיוניו מחשבות בלתי טובות, ויעלו על לבבו בפתע פתאום הרהורים לא ראוין שלא במתכוון, הנה זה טרם ההכנות והוא סימן המכשול והחטא, כי הטה עצמו מני אורח ולא גדל נפשו במדרגת ההכנות, ותקנתו ורפואתו שישתדל בהכנות והוא שיכין לבו ומחשבותיו אל השם יתעלה, ולו ישעבד ויכוף מחשבתו במחשבה טובה ובכשרון המפעלים, ואם באת המחשבה הרעה שיגער בה, שאם אינו גוער בה והיא עומדת בלבו הנה הוא נענש. וכאשר יתמיד מחשבתו זאת זמן רב ויכין לבו לאהבת השם יתברך ולקרבה אליו וללכת בדרכיו, גם ה' יתן הטוב ויגמלהו כצדקו שיכין לבו שלא יחשוב בדבר רע ולא יעלה במחשבתו רק טוב, ועל זה אמרו: (יומא לח ב) בא לטהר מסייעין אותו. ורבים הכתובים על העיקר הזה, הוא שכתוב: (דברי הימים - א כח, ט) "כי כל לבבות דורש ה' וכל יצר מחשבות מבין אם תבקשנו ימצא לך", וכתיב: (משלי כא, ב) "ותוכן לבות ה'", כי הש"י מכין לב האדם ומישר תולדתו כשאדם מכין לבו כנגדו יתעלה, וכן כתוב: (תהלים י, יז) "תאות ענוים שמעת ה' תכין לבם תקשיב אזנך", וכתיב: (דברי הימים - א כט, יח) "ה' אלהי אברהם יצחק וישראל אבותינו שמרה זאת לעולם ליצר מחשבות לבב עמך והכן לבבם אליך".<br />והרמב"ם ז"ל פירש הרהורי עבירה קשין מעבירה, לפי שהמחשבה מעלה גדולה באדם מכח השכל וממדות הנפש השכלית, וכשהוא חוטא בו הנה הוא חוטא במבחר מדותיו, ואין אשמת המשתמש בעבד סכל כאשמת המשתמש בבן חורין חכם, (כן כתב בתחלת פרק שני מספרו [מורה נבוכים ג, ח]). ועוד טעם אחר הרהורי עבירה קשין מעבירה אחר מעשה העבירה, כי כיון שעשה העבירה כבר, ועוד הוא מהרהר בזה הוא קשה לענין עונש הנפש מעבירה עצמה, אבל קודם מעשה העבירה אין עונשו קשה ואינו נענש כלל, שהרי אמרו רז"ל: (קידושין מ א) מחשבה רעה אין הקדוש ברוך הוא מצרפה למעשה, ואינו נענש עליה, וכן הכתוב אומר: (תהלים סו, יח) "און אם ראיתי בלבי לא ישמע ה'", אלא אם כן היתה מחשבת עבודה זרה שכתוב בה: (יחזקאל יד, ה) "למען תפוש את בית ישראל בלבם".<br /><br /><br />תוספות רי"ד (יומא כט.): הרהור עבירה קשה מעבירה פי' יותר מתאוה אדם על העבירה כשמהרהר עלי' מעבירה עצמה כשהעבירה לפניו ועוסק בה וסימנך ריחא דבשרא כשאדם מריח הצלי יותר אדם מתאוה לריחו ממה שהי' מתאוה אם הי' הבשר לפניו:Daas Torahhttp://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-45269873245020423942015-05-04T11:32:43.632+03:002015-05-04T11:32:43.632+03:00@David - Rav Yaakov's point is that what actio...@David - Rav Yaakov's point is that what action is worse or the lesser of evils is not bean counting.Daas Torahhttp://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-36833268179327964742015-05-04T11:29:16.779+03:002015-05-04T11:29:16.779+03:00@Nat - satire doesn't work very well in commen...@Nat - satire doesn't work very well in comments on a blog. Even for someone like yourselfDaas Torahhttp://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-80071143348602912982015-05-04T11:25:45.157+03:002015-05-04T11:25:45.157+03:00I heard a very similar - or identical - deah was e...I heard a very similar - or identical - deah was expressed by the Lubavitcher Rebbe. But my concern is whether this is policy, Daas, or halacha. <br />from one perspective, as far as the Kehilla is concerned, then marrying within is obviously better. On the other hand, from the severity of the punishment, kareth is not specified for intermarriage - certainly not when it is outside of the 7 nations (which do not exist today). I am speaking only in terms of what a BD could today or even when they have full powers, and also in terms of the reward/punishment in the next world.Eddienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-57540929043782606892015-05-04T11:21:41.823+03:002015-05-04T11:21:41.823+03:00Kishkes, by your assertion that I have a little ...Kishkes, by your assertion that I have a little a knowledge, you imply that you have more knowledge - and hence i requested that you demonstrate that knowledge, which you have been unable or unwilling to do.Eddienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-87031463303925557502015-05-04T05:48:24.784+03:002015-05-04T05:48:24.784+03:00Eddie, I do admit to having a little fun at your e...Eddie, I do admit to having a little fun at your expense by carrying your unspoken logic ad infinitum. But I will answer you seriously now, as I was definitely not mocking any of the sages. What I understand to be the solution to this apparent problem is that the different references are referring to different bechinot (facets) of the matter. As discussed in Nefesh Hachayim, an aveira of thought does more damage on a certain bechina than aveira of action. However, in other ways, an aveira of deed obviously does more damage than an aveira of thought. In addition, it is easier for a person to control his actions than his thoughts, and this factors into the matter as well. Each statement of Chazal has a place in its context. You cannot just take one statement of Chazal out of context and say that since Chazal said that a hirhur is worse than an aveira, then it is better to do an aveira than to have a hirhur. This was the point of my sarcasm, and I hope that my point is somewhat better understood now. And I do not remember to have claimed to be frummer than others.Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-60032812044681013792015-05-04T05:42:00.618+03:002015-05-04T05:42:00.618+03:00I was actually referencing this point made by Rav ...I was actually referencing this point made by Rav Yaakov in my satire. I guess that I should have mentioned that it was satire so that you would have not taken me seriously. I thought that, based on the history of my comments on this blog, you would have understood it as such, but I guess I was mistaken.Natnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-88438043402305622912015-05-04T04:53:52.596+03:002015-05-04T04:53:52.596+03:00OK, have it your way. You must have a valid point ...OK, have it your way. You must have a valid point somewhere in all that ambiguity.Honestynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-83503373300921933722015-05-04T04:51:55.655+03:002015-05-04T04:51:55.655+03:00OK - into the childish thing now. Cool.OK - into the childish thing now. Cool.Honestynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-46997515117055911252015-05-04T04:22:28.279+03:002015-05-04T04:22:28.279+03:00RDE: My question isn't about marrying a Jew vs...RDE: My question isn't about marrying a Jew vs. a non-Jew. The question was whether it is worse sinning with a non-Jew or sinning with a Jew (unmarried). (In either case a one time event, not an ongoing relationship or marriage.)Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-69827623391494172842015-05-04T03:32:13.182+03:002015-05-04T03:32:13.182+03:00Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky (Emes LeYaakov Parshas Yechi...Rav Yaakov Kaminetsky (Emes LeYaakov Parshas Yechi page 237): A practical example of zealousness which is not based on a correct reading of the halacha is found in the following question. A person has the choice of marrying a Jewish woman who doesn’t observe the laws of family purity or a non Jewish woman. Which is preferable? A student who has not properly served an apprenticeship with an experienced posek will say that it is obvious that the person should chose to marry the non Jewish woman. That is because sexual relations with a nidah is punished by kares while sexual relations with a non-Jew is only a violation of a negative commandment of the Torah which is not punished by kares. The truth is not this way. Rambam (Hilchos Issurei Bi’ah 12:7-8) states that even though sexual relations with a non-Jewish maidservant is only a rabbinic prohibition he rules that, “this sin even though it is not punished by capital punishment from the court should not be viewed lightly. That is because there is a loss associated with sexual relations with a non Jew which you don’t find in the violation of all the other prohibited sexual relations. That loss is that the son from the other prohibited sexual relations is still his son in every respect and is considered a Jew. That is true even if the child is a mamzer. In contrast the son from a non Jewish woman is not his son…. This sexual relationship with a non-Jewish woman will cause him to turn away from G-d and to attach himself to non-Jews. - from whom G-d has deliberately separated us so that we can be close to G-d... “ It is clear from this that the person should chose the relationship with the Jewish woman even though she doesn’t observe the laws of family purity.Daas Torahhttp://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-36379846795000433742015-05-04T02:11:53.462+03:002015-05-04T02:11:53.462+03:00This is a very serious discussion, although there...This is a very serious discussion, although there have been digressions in sarcasm etc.<br />The current sub-debate between myself and Nat is understanding the concept of the "thought is worse than the act" if operationalised halachically. In other words, Nat is making a logical inference from this statement (which is also based on Rambam/Chazal). he is making a kal v'chomer, that the thought (eg watching pornography) is worse than the act (examples he has given). Even though he says this somewhat sarcastically, it is a logical argument. So unless we understand the concept of thought-aveiros differently, eg as non halachic , but some kind of pedagogic device, then ther may be some justification for considering the thought of such an act as even worse than committing the physical sin itself!Eddienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-91567349027511277912015-05-04T02:06:53.412+03:002015-05-04T02:06:53.412+03:00Eddie: Where have I "purported" to have ...Eddie: Where have I "purported" to have a lot of knowledge? Nowhere that I can recall.kishkeyumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-67070378815522032902015-05-04T01:27:22.882+03:002015-05-04T01:27:22.882+03:00So as a practical matter which sin is worse. Sinni...So as a practical matter which sin is worse. Sinning with a non-Jewish woman or with a Jewish nidda?Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-12224146179018153462015-05-04T01:06:52.233+03:002015-05-04T01:06:52.233+03:00@Nat you are ignoring the Rambam's words which...@Nat you are ignoring the Rambam's words which contradict your summary<br /><br />Rambam (Hilchos Issurei Bi’ah 12:6): If the man having relations with a non-Jewish woman doesn’t get punished by zealots and doesn’t get lashes from beis din – then the punishment is kares which is known from tradition (Malachi 2:11-12)…We learn that this verse that someone who has sexual relations with a non Jewish woman is as if he is married to an idol since this verse describes her the daughter of a strange god and it is described as profaning G d’s holiness.<br />Rambam (Hilchos Issurei Bi’ah 12:7-8): This sin [of sexual relations with a non Jew] even though beis din does not impose the death penatly - should not be viewed as minor because there is a loss associated with it. Contrary to all other sexual transgressions in which the son of the relationship is still his son in every respect and has the status of a Jew – even if the child is a mamzer – but the child from a non Jewish mother is not his son as it says in Devarim (7:4): For they will turn away your son from following Me.” That means that the son has been removed from following after G d. This activity causes him to attach himself to non Jews which G d has separated us from them so that we would follow after Him and thus he is rejecting G d.Daas Torahhttp://daattorah.blogspot.co.il/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-52348194040063833792015-05-03T23:50:07.439+03:002015-05-03T23:50:07.439+03:00kishkes, since you purport to have a lot of knowl...kishkes, since you purport to have a lot of knowledge, why are you so afraid to share it?Eddienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7309929059139673041.post-9028481028028491272015-05-03T23:28:38.985+03:002015-05-03T23:28:38.985+03:00I forgot to add that it would be preferable if it ...I forgot to add that it would be preferable if it would be a non-Jewish zonah, which is not really a problem according to halacha, as opposed to a Jewish Zonah, which may be a problem of Nidda (Unless you can get her into some mikva beforehand), but you can also do a pilegesh setup. <br /><br />Although a non-Jewish zonah is a bigger problem according to kabbalah, we are speaking within the Rambam leshitaso, and the Rambam didn't really hold of kabbalah, so this would definitely be the better option.Natnoreply@blogger.com