Toi, you say I hate to take on opinions on anything. That is false. My OPINION is that usually, there is no single correct answer, and that everyone should do what is best for them. That is an opinion, because clearly, you disagree with it. This is true in Judaism about many, many things. Why do you think there are so many sects of Jews, so many different minhagim, etc.? You think that only one of them is correct, and everyone else is wrong? Clearly, you do. Well, I think that believing that is foolish, immature, and frankly, is an embarrassment to Judaism.
Now, there are many times in the CR when I will specifically not state my opinion on things, and keep quiet, either because the person won’t listen anyway, or because I don’t wish to make someone feel bad. I don’t think this is a sign of weakness. I think it is a sign of maturity. There. That’s another opinion. If you’d like to know of some opinions that I have that I never bring up here, here they are: In my OPINION, the most important thing for a Jew to do is be respectful of others, and especially of those that you may disagree with. Derech eretz is the most important thing. In my opinion, the way you treat people here that you disagree with is so abhorrent, so despicable, that I think your Torah learning is worth absolutely nothing. And that goes to anyone who considers himself a “talmud chacham” yet treats others with disrespect. Just look at what you did: A few posts up, I gave you blessing for success and have joy from your children. And what did you do? Not only did you not thank me, but you ridiculed me. Is THAT what G-d had in mind for someone who considers himself a Jew doing the right thing? I don’t think so. G-d doesn’t want you to be rude to people. The world hates Jews because of people like you, who consider themselves better than everyone else, are rude to people not like themselves, and think that their way is the ONLY way.
Here’s some other opinions I have: The way some Jews are so judgmental is sickening. I think that a major part of the current “ultra-frum” value system is terrible. Things are priorities that shouldn’t be, such as wearing black and white, blindly following Rabbonim without being able to think for yourself, learning all day, doing anything possible to not have any interaction with the opposite sex. I can go on and on. Those things should not be priorities. THESE should: Treating others with respect, realizing that there isn’t one method that works for everyone, being able to think for yourself.
You don’t even think I follow the Torah’s view on anything. That’s how screwed up you are. At least I, who thinks that many of your priorities are completely wrong, still think that you do try to follow the Torah’s view. That’s because I am not judgmental, I am understanding, mature, open-minded, and most importantly, respectful. I can’t say the same for you, unfortunately. Your perverse, arrogant attitude disappoints me greatly.
As far as disregarding Rabbonim, you need to change your words a little. Maybe I disgregard YOUR Rabbonim. And this is EXACTLY why I can’t stand people who blindly follow their Rabbonim and consider their word to be G-d’s, and everyone else is wrong. See how shallow that is? There are tons of Rabbonim out there, and from them, you’ll hear an infinite amount of opinions on anything. And then you’ll have people who say, “well, this one is one of the ‘Gedolim’, so certaintly he’s more correct than others”. Well guess what: He may be a “gadol” to you, whereas to someone else, another Rav, who argues, may be a “gadol” to him, and you’re back to square one. Here’s who I listen to: My mom. When my childhood got torn apart, and I was in desperate need of support and guidance, NO Rabbi ever gave me any. All I had was my mom. And she is, in my opinion, one of the biggest Tzadeikes’s in the world. She also happens to know more Torah than most people, including Rabbaim, that I know. She is an example of how to live the way G-d wants. And I try to emulate her.
Now, after I’ve said all this, I want you say “Thank you for finally stating your opinions”, instead of just getting all defensive and spouting some rude, immature response.
Logician, no, I don’t think saying “It’s fine for him” is a sign of weak intellect. I think it is a sign of maturity. Because I am able to understand the other side, and realize that perhaps his method is good for him. Not allowing yourself to see the other side because you are so blinded by your own beliefs is not intellect, it’s arrogance and immaturity.
And “Different things work for different people” is not at all the same as not having any view. It is having an OPEN view as opposed to a closed view. I DO have my opinion, and I realize you have yours, and I will not force mine onto you or consider yours “wrong” because I realize that for you, it is possible that your opinion and view works.
I don’t feel the need to respond to any of you in this matter anymore, and I feel that anything more that I say won’t change a thing, and that’s partially because someone who has such a close-minded view of everything, who considers himself to be correct and others wrong, can never grow. He can never think, “well, you know what, maybe he has a point.” “Maybe I should think about that”.
Take a look at the following threads I’ve started where I state some of my OPINIONS and good things to keep in mind.
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/the-importance-of-listening
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/being-perceptive-its-amazing
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/apologizing-its-wonderful
Now, I want you see who has replied to my threads. They are mostly people who are ALREADY wonderful in those areas. Why? Because they ALLOW themselves to grow, and they’ve become greater. The people that I WANTED to have read my threads probably haven’t read them, and even if they did, didn’t care to respond because they refuse to believe that they can grow in these things.