To the group
I see that ARSo has several comments this morning. I assume he was energized by having his favorite breakfast, “Eggs benedict.” Okay that’s my last flippant comment, now let’s get serious. I enjoy healthy debate but both sides must play by the rules. These are the rules, AFAIC, complete honesty and respecting the opposing viewpoint as well as the opponent are required. Shmei doesn’t meet the first criterion and so I refuse to engage in any further discussion with him. As for the second, ARSo ignores the points I’m making and simply looks to find some way to shoot them down as well as attack my character. As I’ve explained, I am a rationalist as are the Rabbis to whom I cleave. We categorically reject statements which violate natural law. Genesis 6:3 sets the human life span at a maximum of 120. Therefore when we have Chazal which says that Yishai lived to 400 I don’t accept that literal interpretation. Are there others who do accept it? Absolutely and I would never try to change their minds. Eilu Veilu Divrei Elokim includes respecting other people’s views. Some believe in six days, 5784 others don’t. It’s not Kefirah to be in the second group. As I noted, my Rabbis include Rav Dovid Feinstein’s son-in-law, and Rabbi Moshe Plutchok. They are both iluim, but most of all they are strict Maimonideans. They would consider anyone who believes(Seichel why can’t you learn how to spell this word) Yaakov Avinu to be physically alive to be a nut job. And the same applies to the god in a box in Queens. As for ARSo’s suggestion that I am a kofer because I reject the concept of miracles. I definitely don’t reject the idea of miracles, what I reject is the concept that a miracle must involve Hashem suspending or violating natural law. I certainly agree that He is able to do that if He chooses, but as a rule He chooses not to. Are there exceptions to this rule? I’m not sure. The problem with viewing statements in the Torah and Chazal literally is that you end up like Chabad and make completely insane assertions. If anyone is willing to discuss any matter with me in a civilized manner, I’m always at the ready, but if you simply want to prove that I’m an atheist and a Kofer, I’ll reserve my comments for the reasonable Jews in this thread.