tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955681.post5173158562854560383..comments2024-03-20T18:38:31.327-05:00Comments on Havolim: Why We Were Redeemed From EgyptEliezer Eisenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16036989084122930226noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955681.post-809540830734902542013-03-22T14:45:42.424-05:002013-03-22T14:45:42.424-05:00Thanks for the Reb Meir Simcha, Eli. It'll be...Thanks for the Reb Meir Simcha, Eli. It'll be useful at the seder.Eliezer Eisenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16036989084122930226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955681.post-39367843763662839692013-03-21T14:32:47.193-05:002013-03-21T14:32:47.193-05:00R. Moshe (http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx...R. Moshe (http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=920&st=&pgnum=118) says that maybe Lo Shinu Shmam etc. is only before Matan Torah. Meshech Chochma (http://www.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14061&st=&pgnum=60), however, relates it to Galus in general, where keeping the Jewish identity is the major concern "שלא יאבדו קיומן וצורתם הלאומית".<br /><br />In addition, RMF (above) says that names שנשתקעו בישראל are ok, so I guess Berel is fine, but Bill maybe not.Elihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793717193734899866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955681.post-42133109215050304652013-03-21T14:17:19.042-05:002013-03-21T14:17:19.042-05:00I have theory why the name/ethnicity bit is import...I have theory why the name/ethnicity bit is important. If you look at the effects of the Reform movement as compared with the effects of Zionism it's easy to understand. Both were led by people whose belief in mesora was weak or non-existent. In a way, the Reform movement was more religious, placing emphasis on religious ceremonies as opposed to ethnicity or national pride. Yet they not only failed in their mission, 5 generations later, many of their descendants aren't even Jewish! On the other hand, the secular, even atheist, Zionists kept their Jewish names, created a new language, and took great pride in their jewish identity. Now, only a few generations later many of their descendants have rediscovered Orthodoxy, or at the very least,most believe in G-d. When the base of ethnic identity and pride exists, there's always a chance to rediscover the mesora. When you don't have that, it doesn't matter how "spiritual" you are- there's no possible Jewish future for your progeny. Joshnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955681.post-92122436323518772062013-03-21T13:30:01.082-05:002013-03-21T13:30:01.082-05:00Your phraseology begs the converse question: what ...Your phraseology begs the converse question: what is the value of a high level of spiritual attainment if one does not feel part of the body of Yiddishkeit? <br /><br />Isn't this the issue of Poresh Min Hatzibur?<br /><br />What frightens me are the determinants of belonging: Jewish names and speaking Hebrew. Is Mike or Bill or Berel a Hebrew name? Does English or Yiddish or Brooklynese qualify?great Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15728976902210831137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955681.post-39610920089208677522013-03-21T07:12:38.246-05:002013-03-21T07:12:38.246-05:00This was the shitta of Rav Noach Weinberg ZTz"...This was the shitta of Rav Noach Weinberg ZTz"L: give people a Jewish identity, make them proud of it, and worry about the details later. This is basically the approach of Chabad also.<br /><br />On the other hand, Ohr Somayach feels that they have to take each individual and make a complete chareidi out of them.<br /><br />Note that the "loshon horah" factor in the midrash is expressed in other places as "lo gilu mistorin shelahem l'goyim." Again, family pride: don't break omerta.<br /><br />As Eli says, this was an expression not of "they deserve to be redeemed" but rather "there is still hope, so let US try it." As in "או הנסה אלקים".<br /><br />Which brings up a novel possible interpretation of Hillel's dictum: "...מה דסני עלך לחברך"; once you accept the members of Klal Yisroel as "חברך" [or "רעך" in Rabbi Akiva's declaration of the כלל גדול בתורה], then "אידך פירושה, זיל גמור"great Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15728976902210831137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8955681.post-81930094068704263742013-03-21T05:35:52.815-05:002013-03-21T05:35:52.815-05:00The value of keeping a connection with Avraham Avi...The value of keeping a connection with Avraham Avinu is actually very important. Ideologies come and go, but in the long run, once you're part of Klal Israel, there is still hope.<br /><br />Moreover, keeping one's Jewish identity, especially at times when this means more difficult life, could signify that whatever complicated relationship this person has with HKBH, he is still interested (maybe subconsciously) in this connection.<br /><br />Finally, see Reb Tzadok somewhat controversial view (censored in some editions) http://www.otzar.org/wotzar/Book.aspx?154006&# <br />Section #54 (p.25)Elihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793717193734899866noreply@blogger.com