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Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipant
none2 > If you find 500 dollars in middle of nowhere it’s yours. Stop complicating things. If you want you can find the owner. That’s your choice but if it’s in middle of the street, it’s obviously hefker
exactly. So, if you find it near my home, you’ll go knock on my door, right? Or, in America/TX, you have a chance that I’ll shoot at you from my house and ask shailohs later. So, where does a middle of the road start? at the end of side walk? 4 amot after? I also need to know – so I know whether I can shoot at you. And your family needs to know – whether they can sue me after. See, how an idea of a strict rule prevents so much violence and bad blood between people.
This is not unique to Jewish law, American law has similar rules – there are codes that define distance from the house to property line, between your fence and property line. Jewish law simply is more careful enabling simple people to take advantage of this (for example, rules are sometimes simplified for slightly different cases – “lo plug”). This is not my idea, but Israeli SC Judge Moshe Elon.
August 5, 2025 7:28 pm at 7:28 pm in reply to: Moshe Rabbeinu criticizes 2 tribes for not wanting to fight for the Land #2434312Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantZZSK > Shas and the Gerrer Rebbe hold
From outside, it seems that Shas is always trying to be both Chareidi and Sephardi. Whenever Ashkenazi Charedim are announcing leaving government or such, Shas is kind of following to make sure “they are also charedim” but their heart is not there. Not randomly, right after 12-day war start, the first news out was that Shas was informed and stopped politics. Later on, I think, it turned out that Ashkenazi politicians were also in the loop, but did not have a need to advertise it.
August 5, 2025 7:28 pm at 7:28 pm in reply to: Moshe Rabbeinu criticizes 2 tribes for not wanting to fight for the Land #2434308Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantI wonder why bnei Reuven and bnei Gad did not suggest to Moshe Rabbeinu – we will stay here and learn 24/7?! This is what malach says to Yehoshua – you are gonna be killed because you don’t learn at night. Would it be handy to point out to the yeshivos of Reuven & Gad?!
Granted, Simcha Bunim of Peshischa suggests that they stay to be close to their Rebbe – Moshe, and the kevurah.
August 5, 2025 7:26 pm at 7:26 pm in reply to: Moshe Rabbeinu criticizes 2 tribes for not wanting to fight for the Land #2434304Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantYYA > Any meaningful efforts to change the IDF to an extent that would genuinely meet Chareidi standards
I don’t think you’ll gain understanding from other sectors when this continues like your community is an outside entity that needs to be wooed. If you can start with the premise that a country needs an Army, and everyone should work towards the strength of the country (see thread title), you can then have specific discussions. Can you organize some services that can work in current environment? Any specialties that do not require inappropriate situations? Can charedim be involved in cybersecurity? man radar installations? drive trucks? fly airplanes? State specific conditions you want and, if not possible, let the other side say that they insist that one of the F-16 pilots has to be a girl.
August 5, 2025 7:26 pm at 7:26 pm in reply to: Moshe Rabbeinu criticizes 2 tribes for not wanting to fight for the Land #2434301Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantyankel > draft for haredim was duly legislated and appeared on the books . It was the unelected SC which illegally nullified this law. There have no legal power to nullify laws. Which created the current anarchy.
Just be careful. Israeli legal system appears to be incomplete. So, it might be unclear how to resolve what SC can or cannot do. I don’t know the right answer, but Israeli politicians will go through the motions and come to some conclusions. It might be: “SC made an opinion, ow let them enforce it”. If this works, that means this is what the system was built for.
I am more familiar with US that has a little better defined structure, but still there are “unwritten” agreements that sometimes fall apart: senate filibuster, packing supreme court, state rights to secede … a typical solution for such issues is the strength of public opinion: FDR did not pack the court because it would not be supported. So, if overwhelming part of population will be for or against SC, that will be the result.
The worst solution, H’V, is when force or anarchy comes in. The whole goal of democracy is to prevent that.
And this might be the point to ponder: the goal of democracy is to resolve issues according to some fixed rules without getting to physical fights or breakups. It does not have to be best solution and it does not have to be the one supported by > 50% of population. As long as the system overall is supported by the population, this should be enough. As of now, it seems that SC role is seen opposite from opposite camps, and this is the source of political instability.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantSQRT, a more effective:
a pre-nuptial agreement that specifies that both chasan and kallah read books about marriage, child rearing, anger management and passed an online test and a test in person on how to change a diaper.on your items:
– Halakha is surely against looking for mamzerim. In cases of doubt, rabbonim are going out of the way to find way to mattir. One rav told me that he came up with a list of ways to mattir in a very difficult case where there was a lot of confirmed information. When he called up a T’Ch to check and went through part of the list, the answer was “this is enough already”.
– ketubah arrangement evolved over time, see Ketubot – first it was $$$ held in the house, but then husband will be too quick to say “divorce” (like Muslims do 3 times?), hand over the money. After a couple of more options, the current one developed with a lien on husband’s property that might take a beis din to unwind. This points that changes are possible, but they should be done to balance all sides so that people continue getting married.August 5, 2025 7:26 pm at 7:26 pm in reply to: The Peaceful Dismantlement of the State of “Israel” #2434286Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipant> Zionist army is shmad. Period. It is expressly designed for that
The arguments we hear are always shifting. R Sorotzkin and many others often publicly talk about “full time learners”, then there are internal psakim that say “everyone who is charedi”. If you seriously hold by the thought above: come up with the structure that will work for your community and propose it, and negotiate around it. You have to see the facts: given the public opinion in Israel, you need to either show some good will or be prepared to be outvoted on the issues you care about. People who rejected reality were called: baryonim.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantHappy NY, to clarify: learning as in applying our thinking to understanding Torah and world are as old as the Torah itself (they’ll say this nation is wise ..),
but not specific ways of thinking. Bavli has developed new methods of interpretation hat do not exist in Mishnah & Yerushalmi. R Akiva developed methods that did not exist before (he was like a poor person carefully organizing the little wheat he had – see None2’s frugal thread!)Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantcoffee > I highly doubt Joe is getting embarrassed by this thread his skin is too tough
Despite my own remark, I don’t think this is a halakhically valid argument. For example, you should not use a derogatory nickname even if the person does not get offended.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipanthakatan > Of course, the baryonim of today would be the Zionists.
You can see some comparison between non-rel Zs of yesteryear with baryonim, although not fully. For one difference, they did not go into a fight with a superpower burning their own supplies. For another, you’d like that – baryonim were not violating 3 shvuos, they were there already. This is worth a good discusssion, but it takes away from our core disagreement – about RZ that are mostly not like that. And I brought a counter-argument several times – all minorities in middle east suffered in last 100 years, was it possible to live peacefully there? I don’t think you answered that. This is some contrast with Roman Empire – they were brutal to those who rebelled as a preventive policy, but they were often benefitting those who submitted to them.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantnone2 > farmer was also given intellect discernment and his own brain to know what he needs to do.
You are idealizing farmers. Look at people in general, whether in our times, or in history – how much cruelty is out there. People who fight in our days for the Russian army are either convicts or those dear farmers from far-away villages. They drink/rape/kill in large numbers.
> If G-d already wrote the law simply that means it fits with reality exactly and we will be able to use that principle
right, so we are not talking about stum farmers, but Jewish ones. You can see explicitly in many mitzvot that there is a goal of training us to behave properly. It is a failure of Torah learning when a person puts energy in doing a “mitzva” when it is written down but then refuses to walk an old lady over the road or looks for ways to cheat someone. Gemora Beitza 25 proves explicitly that Hashem gave Torah to Jews to teach us patience, otherwise we will use our hutzpa against other peoples.
Now, dealing with new situation: if a situation is not simple, are you suggesting acting on “intuition”? Or apply your rational mind – that Hashem gave you – to solve it. And if the latter, is there anything wrong to think carefully, say, for an hour? or a day? or for several centuries, going logically through all options? Experiment and see what works? We have a number of description in gemora how different decisions were made over time, after many experiments – such as the system of public education. (Bava Batra)
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipant> But getting your lifestyle to be bear bones actually gives you a form of control. And freedom.
I do agree in part. I knew one person who lived like that and he would answer “how are you” with “Bartuch Hashem! Nobody is envying me”
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantnone2> hat you earn in easy living you give up in time.
right. That is why I suggested working “a couple of hours a week”. I frankly do not know many (any?) people who do the balance – people either work too much or too little. It kind of makes sense from community POV – if someone earns $500/hour, it makes sense for him to work and sponsor someone who is not working for $15. One way out is to do something actually meaningful – run a chesed organization, do heart surgery, build a next generation fighter – and also something that you like. Then, when you come home, you are in a good mood and you will easily share that mood and have time to deal with kids and learn.
> Bare minimum living is like a muscle. You become stronger. Withstand things better
This might work – sometimes, if you control the process. Many people in poverty do the opposite: worry about money, think of theft or ways to go around the rules and taxes … Some say that every person gets challenges that fits his nature. A poor person who insists on becoming rich may not be able to withstand challenge of being rich. And maybe other way around too. Do not create challenges for yourself, work seriously on those that you already have. Is it better for a rich person to become poor or it is better to figure out how to use the money you have.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantThis was very laudable in times passed. Many mussar giants lived this way. But does it really make sense in our times? For the effort to live this way, you can simply go to, say, law school, and then work several hours a week and have enough for modest living and learn, saven, or do chesed the rest of the time. I am sure baalei mussar spent more hours walking to pick up bread and water and wash their clothes than that. Chofetz Chaim surely spent more time selling his seforim and had enough time left to learn.
Or is there independent value in living in poverty even if it is so easy to avoid it? another way to ask same question – do we have many examples of Yidden who were rich and then gave it all away to live a life of poverty?
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantYYA> please their non-Orthodox and gentile neighbors … The main thing preventing them from doing so even more is that they see the example of the Chareidim.
I am sure this happens somewhere, but I do not see it in day-to-day MO community. I see, one one head, occasional clashes between some progressives that advocate for some feminist direction, making symmetric men and women sections, etc and opposite reaction from the rest. The reaction is principled, not because “satmar will stop davening by us”. Wherever there is a reason to participate in some activities with other groups, nobody looks at chareid reaction either.
And if you compare R Soloveitchik and R Moshe teshuvot on entering non-O places of worship, R Moshe comes a little more permissive, in my opinion.
August 5, 2025 8:08 am at 8:08 am in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the IDF (Israeli Army) #2433958Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantyankel> I personally know people who were advised by r shlome zalman auerbach to enlist .
and what happened with them? Note that some rabbonim consider someone becoming a “non charedi” an aveirah.
Similarly, a Rav on today’s front page mentions discussing this topic with some who is “frum” but not “ben Torah”. This Rav also talks about those whose _only_ occupation is Torah. So, he obviously allows others to serve like R Sholmo Zalman.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantAbba! I thought this issue is resolved already and all frum ladies already burned all their indian hair. And I don’t think they are tumah, “just” assur bhanaah. It is right in daf yomi Avoda Zara 40s. Maybe when they sell the hair, it means that they botel the AZ?
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantDaMoshe > Only after confronting the Rav with the opposing view, and he stands by what he said, are you required to listen.
There is even a halocha how you approach your teacher if you think he made a mistake – you ask him a polite question. You can’t have this halocha if the teacher is always right!
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantnone2 > because I understand these arguments are sacred to all of you, so, I apologize, but that is such a stupid argument and waste of time and waste of moral principles. Hefker shouldn’t be so complicated.
I am with you that we should not forget looking at 10 commandments!
But this is about silly chickens. But it is not a waste of time. Think of a simple farmer who lives a town. He finds a chicken. It is like you finding $500 on the street. You seem to be a philosopher – are you going to just pass by thinking of bigger issues or would you like to pick it up? But how do you know that you are allowed to pick it up? Many of us would say – hm, this chicken looks dirty and his hairy is messy – I just _know_ he is homeless – and convince yourself that it is OK to steal it (see the thread on CC offers). Next day, the chicken owner loses faith in his fellow Yidden and now has to stand whole day watching his chicken instead of doing something ore productive. On 1-2 generations, the whole community loses it’s dignity.
Instead, halakha gives the farmer a simple rule that helps him keep himself in control. And so are many other rules like that. This is applied philosophy.
So, here is “do not steal”,”do not desire”, “bear a witness” thanks to this chicken.
August 5, 2025 8:08 am at 8:08 am in reply to: Help finding that app for maximizing CC points #2433940Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantamom, so you are talking a case where bonus requires actually charging large balances? Then, perhaps someone who does not necessarily have money to pay right away is legitimately using the CC. Maybe the test could be – would you consider taking this loan without an offer?
The people I heard it from had no cash flow problems as far as I know.so far, I did not find anything beyond R Goldberg’s article that is raising a similar general issue but probably the one that is more likely to be bad. So, it is not a proof for our case.
August 5, 2025 8:08 am at 8:08 am in reply to: Help finding that app for maximizing CC points #2433939Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantI found a 2014 article by R Efrem goldberg from Boca with a “duh” title “just-because-it-is-permissible-doesn-t-mean-it-is-right”
He is not talking about credit card offers but another behavior that is legal – issuing complaints and pressing companies to issue returns and offers because of that, or taking advantage of mistaken low offers.
Last month, the United States Supreme Court heard the case of a rabbi who was suing Delta airlines for revoking his Platinum Elite Status after he complained 24 times in 8 months and negotiated his way to $1,925 in travel credit vouchers, 78,500 extra bonus miles, a travel voucher for his son and $491 in cash reimbursements. The court has yet to render its decision but it was clear that the justices were less than impressed with the complaint.
…The Torah tells us (Devarim 6:17) “V’asisa hayashar v’hatov b’einei Hashem, Do what is right and good in the eyes of Hashem.” What does this generic statement mean? How do I fulfill this command? The Ramban explains:
“This is a great concept, for it is impossible to mention in the Torah all of the modes of behavior for a person to follow with his neighbors and acquaintances, and all of the details of his business dealings and all the regulations for the betterment of society and of states. However, after mentioning many of them such as don’t gossip, don’t take revenge…it goes on to say here in a general manner that one should do what is good and right in every situation.”
August 4, 2025 1:24 pm at 1:24 pm in reply to: Help finding that app for maximizing CC points #2433765Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantasd, there might be a difference here – taking introductory offer of 0% or 2% interest for 6 months v. taking cash. I am thinking taking 2% offer is ok. I know I am going to pay it back and I am, thus, a low risk (even of lender does not know), so he is getting reasonable if low profit. I am less sure about 0%. They would not give it to you if they knew you are going to quit – although I used it myself – usually from the CC that I already used and once in a while self-justifying that I paid late fees or interest. Maybe it is still OK especially if you are tight on money – because there is still a chance that you will not be able to pay on time, and that is all they expect – a fair chance.
August 4, 2025 1:23 pm at 1:23 pm in reply to: Help finding that app for maximizing CC points #2433747Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantasd > You’re not giving nothing in return.
We are not talking about not carrying interest – but about taking advantage of introductory offers: $500 airline points for signing up, then closing the card, and opening the new one.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipanthappy > The first jewish “Tanach” was published around 800 CE
Bava Batra 14 discusses all books of Tanach and authors.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantFirst, it is very refreshing that anti z position here is defended by a small but determined group that is not very eloquent. I could have written better responses for them. It really indicates that wider thinking charedim do not hold by that.
Also, just heard in R Lebowitz kinos about baryonim who wanted to put spear in r Yochanan to verify that he is niftar: people with agenda will eventually go to great lengths in defending their position.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantMonsey 4 unit townhouse, with 1 for each wife or pilegesh.
He posts while they are all at work.August 4, 2025 11:10 am at 11:10 am in reply to: Help finding that app for maximizing CC points #2433479Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantThanks for explaining 5/24 rule. Still, I am not sure of the reaction of let them monitor fraud. A very goyishe attitude, Caveat emptor. Yiddishkeit seems to be based on our responsibility to be honest. Are you suggesting that it is OK to take advantage of someone as long as they let you? Is this actually popular?
August 3, 2025 3:53 pm at 3:53 pm in reply to: Moshe Rabbeinu criticizes 2 tribes for not wanting to fight for the Land #2433224Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantZSK > By the way, if you didn’t respond to the selective service card you received at age 18, you’re a draft dodger by US law, you’ve committed a felony and can be liable for 250,000 USD in fines and possibly jail time.
Right, so according to shitato: every charedi needs to register with the draft first and then bring proofs of their exemption.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantnone2, I am sure you are first noticing first people who make you feel uncomfortable – and let it indeed be kaparat avanot! They say that a verbal beating may be harder than a physical one, but, at the same time, it is a less hurtful way to have kaparat avanot. And having it done to an anonymous persona even sounds like cheating!
But also look at how many posters defend you, and – all those who did not post anything, they surely disagree with the OP!
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantLitvish95 +1, could you quote more from this Netziv? Is he speaking only philosophically or also politically, given the passions of the time?
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantnone2 > “It’s not a human life before 40 days”
Almost every issue is not absolute and requires a definition of where the boundary is. Talmud is very good at recognizing that. Rav Yirmiyahu in Bava Basra questioned one of such, seemingly arbitrary, rules: if you find a dove/chicken less than 50 amot from the house, presume it belongs to the house. If > 50 amot – you can take it. So, he asked – what if the bird has one feet on one side of 50 amot, and the other – on the other side, and he was kicked out of the yeshiva! Later in Bava Basra, rabbis begged him to come back and resolve some of the issues they could not without him. Moshe Elon (Israeli supreme court judge who was interested in embedding halakha into modern law) explains: 50 amot rule allows a simple farmer to make an objective decision whether the bird can be taken without involving lawyers. Questioning that means questioning the whole system of practical halakha where we can make ehrliche decisions in our lives and this deserved the expulsion.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantnone2 > who gave the rabbinim the right to interpret whether something is literal or symbolic how do _they_ know
the answer is in your nearest copy of a Talmud. Learn the story of Shimon Amsuni (Kiddushin 57): he had a theory that every “es” in the Torah means something to add: “es hashamayim ve es haaertz” – Hashem created other things together with heavens and earth. So, he published much until he came up to “yiras es Hashem” – and concluded that you can’t be afraid in anything in addition to being afraid of Hashem – and he rejected the theory that he worked on for some years. This is the rigor of Talmudic analysis. When you look at different sugyous – sometimes, you can easily see the process. Sometimes, it is not that clear and the analysis might be simply justifying existing practice, but at least you’ll appreciate where these came from. Development of this technical approach is the major achievement of Babylonian Talmud specifically, as they were living “in the dark” missing a lot of information comparing with scholars in EY.
August 3, 2025 3:52 pm at 3:52 pm in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the IDF (Israeli Army) #2433217Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantNP > The Dati Leumi community needs full time learners as well. Every Jewish community does. There are plenty of challenges that go along with that. No one is exempt from challenges in olam hazeh.
Right. It is an issue with “MO” in US – they have bright T’ch at the top and a great “middle class” of professionals who can understand the sugya, but not always long ranks of professional teachers .. We had here an exemplar of a charedi teacher in “MO” school, subtly re-educating students (and denying he was doing that). I presume DL has similar issues, maybe less. Would it be nice then that both groups strengthen each other instead of looking down?
August 3, 2025 3:52 pm at 3:52 pm in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the IDF (Israeli Army) #2433218Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantHappy,
sorry, you are not repeating the same thing enough time to qualifyAugust 3, 2025 3:52 pm at 3:52 pm in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the IDF (Israeli Army) #2433155Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantNP > 1) Recognition of the vital role full time learning plays in the preservation of the Jewish Nation and taxation by a Torah True government to fund it.
2) Under a democratic government, political advocacy for financial allocations by constituents who recognize the same.
News flash. In a democracy you are “forced to pay” for lots of things you don’t personally agree withGood points:
1) We will all be happy with the “Torah true” government (TTG). Hope, we will recognize it when we see it! What if this TTG decides to spend more on Iron dome, while allowing engineers two hours of learning after work? Similar to gemora Megilla discussion between Yehoshua and malach who says he came because the army neglected learning at night.2) I am ok with a democracy and using all kind of procedures from toppling the government to appealing to supreme court. A hard question then is – are we allowed to use all manners of speech that are allowed in a democracy in order to achieve the vote and maintain public support. It is often ugly. If, according to you, the goal is simply to achieve more support for your group – are you allowed to claim that your opponents are like Nazis, etc.
We do not have a lot of halachik experience with democracy in history. One would be Poland and Lita in 1920s-30s. I read some of the Chofetz Chaim letters from that period. He is definitely using some strong language, especially during an election in Vilno, where it seems like non/anti-religious groups were on the verge of taking power away. I can’t vouch for the whole picture though. The book was of yeshivish edition, so they might have selected what to publish. So, this would definitely be a source to resolve what is allowed in elections.But longer play in democracy – you want to bring more people to support your side, not just fight for money. And that seems to be missing. Shas seems to understand that. They support the rest of charedi parties when they have to, but clearly keep connection with wider public.
August 3, 2025 3:52 pm at 3:52 pm in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the IDF (Israeli Army) #2433148Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantkatan > That does not at all imply that the Mir R”Y in any way permitted the abomination of joining the Zionist shmad army in any case. He just stated that given the rules, he did not want to be called a liar.
yes, I don’t know what his opinion was on joining the army , I was bringing his opinion to point out that not only he would be honest in certifying that someone’s occupation is Torah (that is not sign it for anyone who is never/rare in the yeshiva), but even be afraid that their slacking is a problem.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantYYA > Many of the secularists themselves at the time were from Frum homes
right, and note that many became secular in those several generations based on what was going at the times in general, nothing specific to zionism. those who chose Zionism instead of communism had a way better chance to both survive themselves and not become murderers and gangsters. Note that the rabbis at the time did not have a good solution for these problems despite desperate attempts.
August 1, 2025 1:38 pm at 1:38 pm in reply to: Moshe Rabbeinu criticizes 2 tribes for not wanting to fight for the Land #2432841Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantthanks, ujm, pls convince katan that drafts are real. We can then discuss how US law will deal with a deferral request based on undocumented yeshiva attendance.
August 1, 2025 1:38 pm at 1:38 pm in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the IDF (Israeli Army) #2432840Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantthanks for the letter. There is a comment there that says that it is well known that HaRav supports nachal chareidi. There were also neturei karta in London protesting a memorial for the Rav because of that support.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantnow we are comparing learning Gemorah with eating cheeseburgers. I don’t think R Eliezer will hold by that. And I think both simcha613 and I mentioned that mandatory learning has problems. I personally do not want to sit with my daughters and remind them again & again to review tosfos after washing the dishes. I would rather say – do you know why we do X? And then discuss gemorah’s arguments with her.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantI don’t think I read the article but heard his interview about it, and it said that kids connected first (she came up to ask him a chemistry question, I think), but then R Moshe approached R Tendler. I presume
– she knew whom she is approaching (what is a chance of meeting a random guy in NYPL and have both fathers on the same beis din?!)
– she mentioned the name to her father in a subtle way.Why wasn’t she interested in any of the R Moshe’s students? I don’t know. Maybe because R Moshe was not recommending college to them?
August 1, 2025 1:34 pm at 1:34 pm in reply to: Help finding that app for maximizing CC points #2432816Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantfake, the issue would be – taking advantage of someone. Seller is not allowed to overcharge more than 1/6, but so does the buyer. Credit card offers are done in order to entice you to use the card long-term. It is OK to try it and then decide not to keep. But routinely taking advantage of these offers means you are taking money from people. I guess it depends on the terms of the offer. If the offer is – 2% rate for one year, you are not taking money, just getting good terms, but if the offer is $200 cash or free flight, then you are taking money from someone without giving anything in return.
and what is 5/24 rule? I am afraid to google or chatgpt
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantHow is vadai of mechalel shabbos v. sofek of “becoming non-charedi”
Just note that Chofetz Chaim sent his son-in-law to get visas on shabbos in order to leave USSR, but even then he later regretted his decision, saying it was better to stay and help those Jews who remind behind the iron curtain. So, add this to your calculation.
July 31, 2025 2:13 pm at 2:13 pm in reply to: Help finding that app for maximizing CC points #2432523Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantI know of “frum” people who sign up for cards to use their – sometimes very generous – introductory offers and then switch to a different one. Any posek or sefer halakha that approves that?
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantfunny to hear this from a MO (Muslim Orthodox).
July 31, 2025 2:12 pm at 2:12 pm in reply to: Moshe Rabbeinu criticizes 2 tribes for not wanting to fight for the Land #2432521Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipant> No, having a draft is not a normal thing, at least not in most of the world.
are you that stubborn that you require documentation on every statement? Nordics, Baltics, Greece, Turkey, Koreas, Ukraine have draft. US registers males in case it needs to go back to the draft. It depends on the current matzav in a country.
> if not for the Zionists, there would have been no need for any army there.
Almost every country in middle east was not involved in bloody wars and revolutions during last 80 years. Non-muslims are gone from most of those countries. Chazon Ish did not know that, you do.
And you can always change that, of course – maybe muslims will be thrilled to sponsor anti-zionist dhimmies. Go.> Zionists made a deal with Agudah that Torah learners would not be drafted. The wicked Zionists may not renege on their deal.
Is this the fourth of 3 shevuos?! Israel is a democracy and current knesses can vote for different laws, subject to basic laws. And, if you read what gedolim say – the 4th oath is extended, midrabanan? – to those who are not learning but dress like them.
July 31, 2025 2:12 pm at 2:12 pm in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the IDF (Israeli Army) #2432515Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipant> Do you have a realistic solution?
From what I heard, the current bill is that realistic solution – military service for those who are not f/t learning with strict verification of that fact. Same way as it was during early times of Israel where Mir Rosh Yeshiva was imploring his students – I am certifying that Torah is your occupation, please do not make me into a liar. If this works, hopefully both sides will see it and learn how to talk to each other.
July 31, 2025 2:12 pm at 2:12 pm in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the IDF (Israeli Army) #2432512Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantNP 2) There are sizeable kehilos in EY who do not take a penny from the Government.
This is a totally separate discussion
> One of the obstacles to this change is mandatory military service for men who are not learning full time.
So, now blame the chilonim for paying for full time learners. But it is a well-known issue – welfare in all countries encourages people to use the funding.
Current system was developed by the influence of the charedim. So, community need to grow up and help develop a system that encourages healthy social behaviors. Have a discussion between each other and then with others.> Putting our sons (and daughters) under the authority of people who are at best ambivalent and at worst outright hostile to the Torah is not acceptable.
Do you have a document from Hashem guaranteeing lack of challenges for your community specifically? Maybe you feel that you are doing so much for Hashem by learning and wearing dark clothes on a hot day – that he needs to fulfil his side of the bris? Maybe you can start with the premise of being ehrliche citizens and brothers to other Jews and, subject to that, try to improve the matzav as much as you can.
July 31, 2025 2:12 pm at 2:12 pm in reply to: Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch and the IDF (Israeli Army) #2432491Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantNP > Full time Torah Learning is a Civic Contribution of the Highest Order.
We have various models for that in Judaism. One is Yissachar/Zevulun – that is a valid contract between two willing participants. There are, B’H people willing to support learning. Not when one of them forces the other to pay. Another is – live on bread and water. Another is – work and learn at night. Another – get a profession, work several hours a day and learn.
Maybe the sentiment that you present is based on (unsaid?) assumption that the Jewish state is valuable – and we expect more out of it. Then, the community should publicly acknowledge that they see other Israelis as brothers and conduct conversation accordingly.
One of the links to Jewish Action referred to a story that R Soloveichik encountered in 1935 a stalinist kibbutz with a kosher kitchen. Turns out that R kook had previously visited the kibbutz on a Shabbat, had some inspirational time with them, did not criticize any of their behaviors and before leaving said “I hope we can also eat together next time”. They kashered the kitchen next day.
Always_Ask_QuestionsParticipantNP > Can you unpack what you mean about “the analysis of Mitzvot”
There are different ways to analyze Mitzvot. Do you mean: (1) legal parameters, like the Talmud. (2) reasons, like the Chinuch. (3) Something else…I don’t want to give one narrow definition – just whatever is relevant to the specific student or group. I guess I am just extending the idea of not forcing. Learning a daf according to all commentaries is forcing a specific discussion on people who are not obligated or motivated to do it. I am for discussing a particular sugya – whether how to light candles or whether it is justice v. peace – and going to corresponding gemoras for understanding. I disagree that Gemorah is limited to “legal parameters”. As someone asked R Salanter – what is the source for your “unorthodox” teachings. He said – “gemorah”. The other person: “I don’t see it in the gemorah” [AAQ: this means this person knew a gantze gemorah]. R Salanter – it is in _my_ gemorah. See Rambam for his definition of “gemorah”.
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