Sorry to be a little late in getting things up here. I have continued to be busy since I saw you last. Neither Sunday nor Monday was a day off.
Here are the assigned readings for July 14. And remember! There will be a test, probably 20 questions, on that date involving these readings PLUS the previous readings.
SOS - Chapter 5 (Service of God);
O and J [Olitzky and Judson] - Forward and Introduction; Chapter 3 (The Broad Spectrum of Kashrut); Chapter 8 (Covering the Head);
Wolfson – Chapter 5-6;
Donin – Chapter 2.
And DO practice and regularly just listen to the Kinzer CD.
You can begin posting questions or comments this week, but they will be continued next week on another blog page.
Shalom!
Stuart
23 comments:
Rabbi, thanks for your work.
Happy Independence Day everyone!
I'm ready to ask my first question of the week, inspired the chapter on the Full Spectrum of Kashrut in J & O, and the overarching idea of kindness to animals, and its stretching to the even to the idea of "eco-kashrut" on p. 57. By stretching, of course, I mean that it very much appears that some rabbis are arguing that kashrut doesn't end with classic halakhah; a person could by their reasoning painstakingly keep halakhah and still eat in such a manner that would cause cruelty to an animal. In that light, here is my question:
Is it kosher to eat eggs that do not come from free-range chickens? My mother's uncle had a chicken farm, and I'm telling you, it was a sin how he treated those chickens. They never saw the light of day. They were so overcrowded they went nuts and attacked each other, so he cut their beaks. I could go on. If I KNOW that the difference between the regular eggs and the free range eggs at the supermarket are not simply one of price, but simple basic kindness to animals, doesn't that bring a moral responsibility into our decision which to eat?
I also thought it interesting, btw, what J & O said about kindness to animals being part of the Noahide covenant, meaning binding on all humanity.
Your Grace,
I know of no general halachic requirement that Jews only eat eggs from range-free chickens. A side note: I remember my grandmother candling eggs--that is, holding every egg in its shell up to a candle light to see if she could detect a blood spot in the egg. If that was the case, the egg was thrown out.
Since YOU know something about mass produced eggs vs. range free chickens, a case could be made for you to abstain from the former on the basis of the NT stricture: "To him (or her) who knows to do good and does it not, to him (or her) it is sin" (James 4:17). This, by the way is precisely the kind of question which religious Jews bring to their rabbis for a ruling. More later.
How lucky I was to find myself reading the section on Death in SOS last night, since I'm attending a Jewish funeral later this morning. Now I know better than to send flowers.
Here is question #2: Is Cremation completely out of the question? Wylen makes it seem like burial is the only option. And if so, why would cremation violate "dust to dust" ???
Question #3 Plus: Wylen isn't very clear about the grieving stuff. He says that the mourner must attend synagogue each day to recite kaddish, but doesn't define mourner. Earlier he says that children recite kaddish each day for a year. Does he mean that children must attend synagogue each day for a year? Or is he referring to everyone in that person's family, meaning mourners in general? See what I'm saying? Sometimes its very clear whether I'm a mourner or a comforter -- my brother dies and I'm a mourner; my friend's brother dies and I'm a comforter. This morning I'm a comforter. But I have a very few friends that I'm so very close to that they are like sisters to me. When they die, I will really mourn, even though they aren't family. Would I be considered a mourner?
Kind of a sober morning for me.
Grace Ruth
There sure were things Wylen didn't cover. I've never buried someone before. It affected me very deeply. That's all I have to say.
I still need the Kinzer CD... In the meantime I will be singing random 80s tunes.
Thanks for your involvement here and in our class Grace. I so appreciate your initiative, enthusiasm, and honesty. :D
jc
I just finished the reading last night. I loved reading O & J. I think there is so much there to discuss. I have more to say but have to rush off to work so I just wanted to check in today.
July 12, 2007
Shalom Rabbi,
This is Richard Hoffman. I am here.
1. What facts supports Wylen's position that the three sections of the Tanakh have a descending level of Sanctity?
Is Wylen's position the consensus of the mainstream Jewish community? Are the descedning levels of sanctity of the Tanakh a majority or minority opinion in the mainstream Jewish community?
Are there members of the mainstream Jewish community who believe and publicly acknowledge that the Torah, Neviim, and Ketubim have equal levels of sanctity? If so are they in the majority, minority?
Or are the two opinions about the levels of sanctity of each the sections of TANAKH equally divded within the mainstream Jewish community?
July 12, 2007
Shalom Rabbi,
This is Richard Hoffman. I am here.
2. Wylin states on p.3 of SOS, "Judaism is not the 'religion of the Old Testament.'" Doesn't this assertion lead one to conclude that Judaism is different religion from the Old Testament religion?
To me, Wylin's assertion is dangerous. Wylin is given supersessionists a rationale to sever the Jewish people and religion from its roots. His assertion provides our enemies with the propaganda that the Jewish people are no longer God's covenant and chosen people.
Rabbi, how would you answer Wylin or any other prominent Jewish scholar if he/she confronted you with above statement?
July 12, 2007
Shalom Rabbi,
This is Marsha Hoffman. I am here.
Why is it necessary to take all the blood our of the meat to make it kosher?
What are some things I can say to my friends when they ask me to go out to the movies or out to eat on Saturday and I am going to Synagogue?
July 12, 2007
Shalom Rabbi,
This is Richard Hoffman. I am here.
3. Wylin states on p. 29 of SOS, "that observance of mitzvot brings salvation." Wylin's belief about salvation conflicts with Messianic Judaism and mainstram Judaism about salvation from judgement for sin and temporal danger.
God saves us not our performance of mitzvot. During the morning daily service and high holiday services we ask God to forgive us and dilverus from judgement and danger because of his mercy not because of our performance.
I am posting this much later than I intended so I imagine some of you will not see this until after class tomorrow.
I am curious about something concerning kashrut. Some years ago I read a short article in the Jerusalem Report about a chef who was moving to New York from Israel to open a kosher restaurant.The article seemed to indicate that this chef wouldn't be serving meat and fruit mixed together in any dishes at his restaurant because this wasn't considered kosher. I have never seen any other information that suggested that that is the case. Would that be just his personal idiosyncratic interpretation or that of an ultra strict subgroup?
As I said in my brief post before I love the Olitzky & Judson book. I wanted to ask a question about a woman' story about wearing a kipah on page 160. In her story she seems to focus on how important it is for her personal spirituality. But since she also mentions being criticized for wearing it, I wonder how accepted this practice is in her congregation and in her community? The processes of cultural innovation and change have always fascinated me so I am interested in how such an innovation would eventually become accepted custom in a community and I am also interested in the individual's responsibility not to innovate beyond what the community can bear? These personal stories are why I love O & J so much because we can discuss them from various points of view.(Please note that I am neither anti or pro kipah wearing for women. I leave it up to the community and to the rabbi of a given congregation.)
Wolfson also is good in terms of giving us people's personal stories of observing Shabbat. However, he almost got thrown across the room Wednesday night. I read on (page 115) that "Today, it is questionable whether women strive be a 'woman of valor' as defined by a biblical role model".
I didn't think that sounded very good but decided to read on. I don't understand the ambivalence expressed here by both him and the women interviewed about Eishet Hayil. I think that the woman described by the text is an incredibly strong woman in her cultural context (or our own for that matter) and that the text is alive and can be applied to bless a woman of any time who fears Hashem.
Regarding meat and fruit, I was just looking at the Empire Kosher newsletter online and saw a recipe for a Tropical Chicken wrap that combines chicken and mango. Also, I was looking at another site that mentioned that Sephardic cuisine often combines meat and fruit. Plus there was a recipe for cholent that includes dates in the recipe. Grace, if you are interested you can find the site at this address: forums.egullet.com/index.php?showtopic=32636
OK , I am a genius,,,,here is my posting from yesterday that I put in the wrong portion of the blog...sheesh.
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Hello all, I hope all is well. I am doing fine here, but unfortunately, "here" happens to be Lexington Kentucky
I am here for work, and sadly will not get back until Monday the 16th. It is my work and I had to go, so I apologize for not being there for the test...I am very saddened, and realize this is my second strike.
I have read the assignments, plus some, and actually have been reading many of the books straight through, and then recapping in the order given to us.
I may not agree with the some of the portions of the books, or in many cases even the popular opinion of the group(only going by what little I have been able to observe so far.) But I am happy to say that I am getting a much deeper insight and appreciation for another viewpoint, that is, the viewpoint of the Jewish community at large as well as the Messianic Community at Ahavat Zion. As for now, I will continue to listen, to read, and to learn. I have decided to take a more quiet approach as I do not want to be a fly in the ointment, and I have found that many times if I wait...the answer will be given soon...and it is reasonable, whether I agree or not. So, in some terms I will "leave a lot of question till the end" as it were.
Now, I feel I wish to share that after reading the depth of Kashrut in the Orthodox community, I can imagine how difficult it must be to maintain such a lofty ideal. I have for some years now, kept to eating as "Kosher" as could be understood without the Rabbinical counsel. I was eating mostly vegetarian (that was a secular decision after studying nutrition in college, and some heartfelt cruelty concerns) and if I ate meat it was only that which is considered "clean" biblically. I was careful about byproducts of "unclean" foods, and have been very strict in this after much prayer and investigation. Right or wrong, I was planning on keeping the laws regarding this,according to scripture to the best of my knowledge.
This type of promise did not have the Halakah, so by interpreting, and talking to what I now know as more secular Jewish writers. I would have had no problems with the idea (biblically) of eating chicken with cheese, or even a hamburger. But I can tell you that at a very young age I felt nauseous when looking at an omelet that was made with pieces chicken in it. It was like life and death on the same plate, it felt rude and it sparked a place in my heart then, and again when I read Exodus 23:19.
After reading more about the Halakah, and the strict adherence, I am thinking about it much more deeply. When I travel for my business, I end up in towns where I can nearly find ANY vegetarian dishes, and usually end up eating fish. (much like where I am) and even then I have to be careful…as they like to add things…(there is shrimp and bacon in my breading) And it would be nearly impossible to keep kosher.
I feel odd at times…I know the grills they use are now made “trefah” if anything I know they had milk and meat on them, let alone unclean meats. The people in a lot of the towns I am in are wonderful people, however, they sometimes get frustrated and/or annoyed when I kindly ask if there are any meat products in the bread, or the salad. I can see why a community would want to settle in an area that they can live within their agreed laws. Sabbath is hard enough, but to add Kashrut (!)
I have also noticed strange looks from people here and even in the airports, when I pray for a meal, and when I bless it. I try to stay very quiet, but I am praying aloud, softly, in Hebrew when I can. I am not certain if I would even want to let myself be heard, not to shake up the community that I am a guest of, that of middle America, or to incite that hive.
OK..I feel I need to throw a question in here.
If even in my mind, I am thinking about whether or not a pot was used for milk, or bacon was on that grill. How is it possible that there is a K on my Jell-O? I mean, if it is so strict that a porous vessel must be destroyed, and we know that Jell-O uses ALL kinds of animals, I can imagine a Rabbi saying…it is LESS of a sin, but not a Rabbi giving it a seal. And of course, what is the view of the MJ community?
July 19, 2007
Shalom Rabbi,
This Richard Hoffman. I am here.
The reading assginments for July 28, 2007, were not posted on the Mitzvaholic blog site on July 19, 2007.
What are the reading assignments for July 28, 2007?
July 19, 2007
Shalom Rabbi,
This is Richard Hoffman. I am here.
The reading assignments for July 28, 2007, were not posted to this blog.
What are the reading assignments for July 28, 2007?
Shalom Rabbi,
This is Marsha Hoffman.
After reading Settings of Silver on Jewish Daily Prayer, I see how intricate and strctured the Jewish liturgy has become. I see that Jewish people prepare their prayers before God, as a person would prepare themselves as coming before a king. Do Christians have anything comparable to this in their liturgies?
July 19, 2007
Hi Rabbi,
This is Marsha.
Why are not prayers of petition recited in the Alenu on Sabbaths and holidays?
My question is from “Settings of Silver,” page 103 about women and worship. I’m just wondering when the idea first started that women were less privileged spiritually than men, such as in Orthodox Judaism women are not allowed to pray the prayers that the men pray, and they have to sit separately behind a curtain. Did it start from the ancient times with the belief that Eve sinned first? The other idea is that God made Adam first; hence he gets the first privileges in relation to the duties of God. Was this so ingrained in the ancient culture that it influenced Judaism as it was being developed? Was it cultural? If it was, then why is it still held onto so strongly by the Orthodox Jews in our modern culture? My last question: When God gave Moses the Torah, was this idea included or alluded to?
Diedra,
I have to admit I haven't done the reading yet for our next class. However, I wanted to write a brief response to your questions based on what I have studied previously.
Women are allowed to pray but not required to pray 3 times a day because it is a time bound mitzvah and since women often have children to care for they are released from time bound mitzvot.
The exception to this is if you accept upon yourself the thrice daily prayer then you are bound to continue doing so.
There have been and are different attitudes toward women in various sectors of Orthodox Judaism. Some opinions actually put us women in a really high position and say that since we were created last that that shows we are more spiritually advanced than men!! ( assuming an increasing order of creation with humans created last and with woman after man) Of course, there are also some extremely negative views that regard us women as sources of spiritual contamination and as just generally on a lower spiritual plain than men. Even so, there is much Orthodox thought that considers us women to naturally be more devoted to
Hashem than men. This is based on various interpretations of Torah including that the 10 spies who brought back a bad report were all men. Sometimes it does seem that there is a lot of ambivalence in Orthodox thought toward women - that on the one hand we are superior, on the other hand maybe we are not smart enough to learn Torah. Some opinion suggests that fathers are prohibited from teaching their daughters Torah. On the other hand if a father sees that his daughter longs to learn and he judges that she has the mind for it so that he starts to teach her then he is required to teach her everything - the same as he would teach his son. ( This is a summary of an article on an Orthodox website on the topic of female education written by Rav Moshe Weinberger. If you google his name you can probably find the site and the article.)
The reason that women are behind a curtain or divider in an Orthodox synagogue is for reasons of modesty so we are not a distraction!
This answer only scratches the surface of a really big topic but I hope it helps somewhat.
Dierdre
Of course, any religion can be twisted by those who are powerful to keep down those they wish to keep down. But I don't believe that Judaism by nature keeps women down. What it does do is seperate men and women, including seperate spiritual chores.
What kind of Judaism would a home have if the wife chose not to observe kashrut, for example? I can think of so many personal examples of Jewish men who fell off the straight and narrow after their divorce because without a Jewish wife to keep them in Orthodox practice, they simply couldn't do it. Once they remarried, they were back on track. So who has more power, those who read and pray, or those who do? And who is it that raises the next generation? The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
The things you see that you interpret as disrespect, for example the curtain between men and women, I see as symbols of repsect, respect for the power that women DO have over men. It's an acknowledgement of reality. Trust me, there were two shabbats when I really wished we had some kind of division at AZS, because the inappopriate stuff going on was so distracting to me -- it gave me a whole new perspective!
Dierdre
I do read the blog often but try to comment little. I feel the need to comment about your question and the answer given by Grace Ruth, bless her heart.
Her comments about power are completely inappropriate here in this area. It has nothing to do with power or any such thing. The answer given by Debbie is quite correct. The reason for the separation is that women, being so lovely to look at and sweet in nature can and at times does take a man’s attention at a time where he needs to pay full attention to the discussion going on at Shul. Again it has NOTHING to do with power, and I am really bothered by that comment, but that is another story.
If you have ever been to a Orthodox service, you would see that the women have a very good time on "the other side" and in fact have a very close tie with Ha Shem during service. The truth about women not allowed or encouraged to study is because the teaching is that women, by design, are far more spiritual then men, if you doubt that just ask my wife. The study here is very long and in depth, but the answer is clear, women are by nature closer to Ha Shem then men will ever be, and the study of Torah "might" cause a confusion of the Nefish that would otherwise be clear in nature. The study of Torah etc, is a scholarly study, a reading of words and translation that men need to do. Women, on the other hand simply look up and see the face of the father and talk to him directly, a gift most men do not have.
Stu
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