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I have to admit that I sometimes use my tallis for a function other than tefillah.
Specifically, when I go to davening on Shabbos mornings and the temperature is a bit nippy, I use it to keep warm. I suppose it is possible to wear a coat on top of it (to show that I’m not using it for warmth), but then I’d be too hot.
So, which level of hell am I going to for this profane use of a tallis?
The Wolf
It should be noted that all this talk about mixed seating is beside the point, because the newest decree says that even separate concerts are forbidden.
The Wolf
weather parts of this crisis
Misspelling, or intentional pun? 🙂
The Wolf
Here’s something important to know-
I throw TPS reports out the window.
Instead, knock down your cube walls,
strut about your office’s halls,
get a red stapler and learn to say NO.
Yeeeeeeah. 🙂
The Wolf
Thinking back a bit —
We sometimes have sweet & sour meatballs and spaghetti for Shabbos.
This week I made Scarborough Fair chicken which in the past was a hit.
The Wolf
Do you have any problem with those who call themselves Messianic Jews? I do, and I believe I have a right to. It is highjacking something which belongs to someone already.
I fail to see how that is relevant to the topic at hand.
The Wolf
OK everyone, how about instead of castigating Sacrilege for her sacrilegious taste buds, just simply give her some answers. 🙂
I’ll give it some thought and tell you if anything comes to mind.
The Wolf
WM, I do not think that is silly at all — they want to be free of the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven ( not nessesarilly in the Jewish definition of it).
Yes, that is indeed silly. Evolutionary biologists who believe in the theory believe in it because they believe the evidence supports it, not because they’re looking for an excuse to escape from God. Your saying that is akin to Christians saying that Jews aren’t Christians because they don’t want to believe in Jesus.
And, in any event, it doesn’t really matter because evolution stands (or falls) on the evidence, and not on the real (or imagined) motives of those who put forth the theory. In other words, don’t argue ad hominem — address the facts and flaws of the theory, not the motives of the people putting it forth.
The Wolf
I suppose this leads to another question… if Moshe was told everything that a Talmid would originate at Sinai, how could he not know the halachos of which death penalty to give to someone who profanes the Shabbos, of daughters inheriting in the absence of sons and concerning Pesach Sheini.
Certainly these topics were written about by future talmidim and therefore, Moshe should have known about them. Yet, it’s clear that when it came time to apply these halachos, Moshe was clearly unaware of them.
The Wolf
Wolf:
You do realize that even if one can reconcile evolution and Judaism, it is only by realizing that evolution would have been impossible except as directed by One G-d.
Avraham avinu figured that out. He looked at the world and concluded that the only possibility to explain its existence is creation by one G-d.
Otherwise, why do you believe in one G-d? Maamad har sinai only proves that there is at least one G-d.
Ah, now you’ve gone an used that magic word — “proves.”
Let me first get one thing out of the way — I believe in God. I believe that however it is that we (and the rest of the universe) came to be — it was the result of the work of HKBH.
That being said, I don’t believe in God because His existence has been proven — heck, I’m not even sure that you *can* logically prove His existence. I believe in him because I believe — to me it makes sense. Is that somewhat irrational? Perhaps — but as the song goes “it’s what I believe.”
And, to be honest, I don’t *need* proof. I’m perfectly happy living with my “gut feeling” that He is there.
But once you use that magic word, then you are now changing the game from one of belief to one of evidence and fact. On that count, there is no more proof for one God than there is for multiple gods, the Flying Spaghetti Monster or even Last Thursdayism.
*That’s* my point. My belief and my knowledge are two different things. I’m perfectly comfortable stating that I believe in God without being able to prove it. However, I would never use my belief in Him as proof that anyone else should accept Him — including people who are satisfied with the evidence for evolution.
The Wolf
What i meant was that they want to be materialists.
You really believe that the entire edifice upon which evolution is built is simply a desire to not be bound by the Torah? Do you realize how silly that sounds (not to mention the fact that it is simply an ad hominem argument)?
The Wolf
Five, seven and five
What are the meanings of those
meaningless numbers?
Those people who pen
pathetic meta-haiku
need to get a life.
The Wolf
A sinful wife had such a thirst,
She drank water a Kohen had cursed.
With G-d’s name dissolved,
Her sin not absolved,
Her innards and stomach did burst!
How about a happy ending?:
An accused wife had such a thirst,
She drank water a Kohen had cursed.
With G-d clearing her name,
Her man she reclaimed*,
And now she is birthing her first!
The Wolf
(* Yes, I know name/reclaimed is a lame rhyme — it’s the best I could do on short notice).
Wolf- so off to bed she was carted!
NOOOOOOOO! The whole point was that the limerick was unfinished! 🙂
The Wolf
Who’e gonna watch the kids?
Babysitter. Why is that such a problem?
Or, in my case, just leave them home alone. 🙂
The Wolf
Again, and again, nobody is denying any rights, we are denying redefinition of morality. Who exactly was born with the right to change everyone else’s values?
There was a time when being a Jew was considered immoral by our neighbors as well. Who exactly was born with the right to change their values?
The Wolf
Charliehall, which theory better explains the facts than the evolution theory? Creationism. But it is not even up for consideration by most modern scientists — that would obligate them to do God’s will. These re’shaim would never agree to that.
Mdd,
Let’s posit, just for the sake of argument, that Creationism DOES fit the facts better than evolution. But how does Creation by one God fit the facts better than creation by two gods, or ten, or a hundred? How does Creation by God fit the facts better than creation by the Invisible Pink Unicorn? How does Creationism fit the facts better than Last Thursdayism?
The fact is that there is just as much evidence for Creationism by God as there is for any of the other theories I mentioned.
The Wolf
“Al Taasu Chaburos Chaburos”
Sadly, practically since time immemorial, we have utterly failed at that — much to our regret time and time and time again.
The Wolf
Various ideas (some may only be appropriate in some seasons) mostly centered around the NYC area — but some can be done anywhere:
Go upstate to Harriman State Park or Bear Mt. State Park (or some other nice park area near you) and hike and take in the beautiful fall foliage.
Picnic — with lunch and board games.
Take a Circle Line cruise around Manhattan
Observation deck of the Empire State Building
Catch an IMAX movie (Liberty Science Center usually has a good “non-entertainment” IMAX movie playing all the time).
Go to a drive-in movie (there’s one up in Warwick, NY).
Dinner followed by a star-lit stroll.
Classical music concert performance.
Bowling
Pottery painting
Share a large ice cream sundae
Take a ride on the carousel in Central Park
Walk on the boardwalk
Purposely get caught in a rainstorm.
Eat a picnic on the beach, listening to the pounding surf
The Wolf
Wolf: Yes.
Ben Torah,
You are aware, I assume, that my post was not really about evolution, right? It was just a semi-humorous comment about something that we all could agree on.
The Wolf
Ah, yes… nothing like another good old “Science vs. Torah” debate.
Was this inspired by my blog post (and hence your comment there)?
The Wolf
To be considered starting Shemoneh Esrei the same time as the minyan, must it be the exact second the minyan starts
I highly doubt every person in the minyan starts it at the same exact second anyway.
In any event, there must be a “grace period.” After all, even if they start the same second, it’s probably not at the same nano-second.
The Wolf
If someone tries his best to get Matzah for Pesach but, despite his absolute best efforts cannot get it, has he failed to fulfill the mitzvah of eating Matzah on Pesach?
The answer to both question is: yes, he has failed to fulfill the mitzvah — but he is not responsible for it. The rule is that in a case of ohnes (completely not at fault) then you are not responsible.
The Wolf
The once was a girl, now departed
who never finished whatever she started
She’d begin all inspired
but would soon get tired
The Wolf
As far as romance within marriage is concerned, it is tolerated when absolutely necessary, but it is not a virtuous practice and should be discoraged.
Can I get one of our female memebers to post this quote on Imamother and report back what some of the chareidi/yeshivish women have to say about it? I think I’d find that highly… interesting.
The Wolf
Wolf does she share the recipe?
I can probably get it from her.
The Wolf
As far as romance within marriage is concerned, it is tolerated when absolutely necessary, but it is not a virtuous practice and should be discoraged.
If that’s the official “yeshivishe hashkafah” then I proudly proclaim myself non-yeshivish.
You see, I *do* romantic things. B’Mayzid, if you will. I buy flowers for Eeees — and not just any flowers — but I always try to find something new and distinct for her. I leave her love notes around the house. I try and surprise her with things whenever possible. I do spontaneous things like cook her breakfast when she least expects it. I send her cards in the mail. I try to arrange “alone time” when we can spend time together talking, walking, laughing and sharing with each other. We *still*, after all these years, go out on dates. I put a lot of thought into birthday and anniversary gifts and try to do things that show her that I think of her often and truly care enough to put an effort into pleasing her (example: one anniversary I had her wedding bouquet replicated in silk flowers). We play board games together, do silly things together, even have our own “code-words” for silly concepts and ideas that have come up over the years we spent together. We smile, we flirt with each other and we try to do whatever we can to make the other happy. We share in each other’s successes and we comfort each other when something bad happens to one of us.
To me, that’s romance — and if you tell me that that’s to be discouraged, then you might as well tell me to get divorced — because I don’t want to be married without all that. For me, it’s not a b’dieved — it’s an essential part of marriage. Granted, others may not want that in their marriage — and if it works for them, then all the more power to them — but for me, asking me not to be romantic would be like asking me not to breathe.
The Wolf
instead of giving their children the time of day, playing board games and taking them out to the park, or arcades, they put them online,
I know you’re not addressing me specifically, but I would like to state that I mentioned above that board-games (parents and kids) were an important “ritual” in our home.
While I’m all for kids spending quality time with their parents, there also has to be some “down time” for parents as well. If I take a nap on Shabbos afternoon and allow my kids to go out or read or play by themselves, I don’t consider that neglect. Likewise, if I allow my kid some time to play a game on-line, I don’t consider that neglect either. On the contrary, it’s allowing the kid to learn to entertain themselves for a while — something that they should be able to do after a certain point.
Are there parents who are irresponsible and use the internet (and, in the previous generation, the TV) as a babysitter? Certainly. But don’t paste everyone who allows their kids to go online for fun with the same brush.
The Wolf
And I figured who really cares, who knows who Wolf is & for that matter who cares what Shloimie’s Shver thinks of him.
So Wolf did you accept my appology/expalnation?
Still not satisfied that I did not intend “back-of-the-hand type insults”?
To paraphrase:
And I figured who really cares, who knows who Shloimie’s Shver is & for that matter who cares what Wolf thinks of him.
The Wolf
How did you get into cooking? I’m a guy and I don’t want to be an am haaretz in the kitchen I want to know how to make some good stuff besides grilling a good steak.
Practice. Start with some recipes from cookbooks. Once you’re comfortable with those, begin making some changes to them and experimenting.
You won’t be a master chef overnight (I’m not anywhere close to it even now), but in time, you’ll learn to prepare a meal. As it stands now, I can prepare an entire Shabbos meal* by myself, if necessary.
The Wolf
P.S. — for the record, I don’t know how to grill a steak on a barbecue. 🙂
* Well, except for the challah. While Eeees will allow me to cook for Shabbos, she jealously guards her challah-making privilege. 🙂 But I’m not complaining — she makes the BEST challah in the world — and she bakes it every week (except Pesach, of course).
3. Someone who tolerates these romantic feelings, quasi or actual believes that marriage should be more than ensuring the spiritual and physical continuation of the Jewish people. This is incompatible with the yeshivishe hashkafah.
I’m confused. Does this mean that you (or, if you will, the “yeshivishe hashkafah”) are opposed to romance WITHIN marriage?
The Wolf
Of course, it’s possible to learn to cook without any formal education in high school or seminary.
I’ve been told my food is quite good* — and I didn’t even start learning to cook until well after I graduated high school.
The Wolf
* So much so that my kids consider it a big treat when I cook something. Personally, I think Eeees’ cooking is much better than mine, but she and the kids disagree.
What is a haiku?
I simply don’t understand
What the darn word means
I won’t write haiku
No matter how much you beg
Uh-Uh — won’t do it.
The Wolf
Threads brought up for open discussion about a single person rarely lead to any good.
The Wolf
Since marriage in yeshivishe circles is a functional arrangement necessary to produce more yidden,
Is that really all marriage is to you?
a spontaneous date is prohibited and raises serious questions regarding your level of commitment to torah true yiddishkeit.
I fail to see how one follows from the other. I don’t see how (A) Spontaneous dates are incompatible with (B) marriage to produce more Jews and how (A) spontanous dates raises questions about (C) one’s level of commitment to yiddeshkeit.
Please elaborate on how (A) leads to both (B) and (C).
The Wolf
on point, i always assumed that the actual halachos were transmitted at sinai but over the course of the years, as chachomim were killed and jews were dispersed, and there could no longer be a consensus, the laws were restored by the discourses of the tannaim and amoraim in the beis hamedrash based on what they had heard from their rebbeim. the reason for machlokes i always assumed was because there could be no overwhelming consensus seeing as the sources of halachic knowledge were few and far between at various parts of jewish history and therefore there were only a few mesorahs each of which had to be challenged an analyzed before they could be accepted as actual halacha.
That has usually been my understanding as well.
as for moshe in the midbar i assumed that he had gotten the exact oral law as a set of specific halachos, not as debates he would have to sift through. that exact halacha was lost through the course of history and had to be restored by the tannaim and amoraim.
That was always my understanding as well, which led me to another question: It was quoted above that Moshe was shown all that any student would later originate. Of course, that must include records of the debates and arguments over halacha. Was Moshe saddened to see that the “pure” halacha (i.e. that which he received from Sinai) lost and subject to debate?
The Wolf
And I figured who really cares, who knows who Wolf is
For the record, there are at least two people (that I know of — and possibly more that I don’t know of) on this board who do know who I am.
The Wolf
yes. please cease with the subtle insults. say them straight out.
I know you said it in jest, but, in reality, I’d rather have it said straight out. Sly, back-of-the-hand type insults tend to make me sick.
My policy has always been thus: you don’t like what I say, tell me. We may, in the end, have to agree to disagree, but I’d rather hear straight out that someone thinks I’m a jerk rather than through subtle little “hints.”
The Wolf
The following is a synopsis of an exchange with a semi torah literate pen pal.
Can I ask you on what basis you declare me “semi literate?” From the start of this thread you have made subtle jibes at my knowledge of Torah. You insinuated above that I am incapable of learning Torah without an English translation. Now you refer to me as one who is “semi literate.”
I kindly ask you to cease with the subtle insults.
The Wolf
What’s the correct number of dates AFTER marriage? 🙂
The Wolf
Bad news if a yeshiva or bais yakov requires internet usage to complete assignments.
On the contrary… I think it’s a good thing.
1. It helps to teach them to use the Internet.
1a. It gives parents the chance to teach them to use it responsibly when they are younger.
2. It helps to teach them some of the research skills that they should have by the time they get to college.
3. It helps to ensure that they have access to the most up-to-date information for their assignments.
The Wolf
In America after the first couple of dates people go on the “fun” dates.
Eees and I are *still* going on fun dates. 🙂
The Wolf
Mod…
The English word “three” and the mathematical concept of three are not necessarily tied together. You’ll note that “billion” has a different meaning in the US and in the UK.
The Wolf
I’m not sure I understand your point.
You can almost hear the same rant — practically word for word — coming out of the mouth of a member of the WBC — about Jews.
I find that very scary.
The Wolf
Why do I have to be the first to share?
Because you’re the one who brought up the subject.
The Wolf
I would like a world where there are no temptations
Without the temptation, wither the reward?
The Wolf
On edit: I see Mod-80 beat me to it. 🙂
and what if someone doesn’t have it? They switch schools?
Perhaps they simply recognize that everyone who would apply to the school has access to the internet. Heck, the application asked for the kids’ email address.
The Wolf
They are infringing on us and want to force us to redefine our values and bring up our children with values that are disgusting to us and our father in heaven. Whether they beleive in Hashem or not doesn’t make a difference. We do, and we love him too; we refuse to allow among ourselves disgusting acts and beliefs. Who are they to tell us what to believe?
It’s really scary when one could apply almost the exact same words to the Westboro Baptist Church (and their ilk).
The Wolf
ok wolf, you know very well that violates every wishing rule on the books
Very well. If I have three wishes then, my first wish is for a redefinition of the word “three.”
The Wolf
Thats interesting, when I was in high school i was able to do my assignments without internet…
Well, so did I. But then again, when I was in high school, we still had to chisel our assignments onto stone tablets.
Do they really must use it or is it a matter of convenience? Just curious if now its mandatory to use internet for schoolwork.
Required. Two of the three schools regularly post assignments and supplementary materials on the school web site. They also encourage students to sign up to the schools’ mailing list. The third is less tech-savvy, but still encourages research on the web.
In addition, keep in mind that, when I was a kid, I (like many people) had an encyclopedia in the house. If I needed to do a report on boron, for example, my first step would be to go to the encyclopedia. Nowadays, bound encyclopedias are going the way of the dodo. In addition, telling my kids to go to the library doesn’t help either — very often they don’t get home in time to go to the library to do research.
The Wolf