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Rav Avigdor Miller on McDonalds, Davening, Jewish History, CPR, Comets and Chinese Auctions
Q:
Is there anything wrong with patronizing a kosher branch of a fast-food store that is modeled after a goyishe franchise? Let’s say there’s a glatt kosher McDonalds, can I go in there to eat?
A:
Go someplace else. The name already smells bad.
TAPE 613Q:
Is the davening I do in שמונה עשרה enough, or do I have to talk to Hashem besides that, at the end of the שמונה עשרה?
A:
Now רבותי, that’s a very important question. I must tell you that all the things, the specific things, that you want Hashem to do for you, you should say it then. Don’t rely on שמונה עשרה, because שמונה עשרה itself is too general – [at this point the tape ends וחבל על דאבדן]
TAPE # E-199Q:
Is the ספר הישר reliable for learning Jewish history?
A:
Now, you really shouldn’t ask me that question because I don’t want to say anything about ספרים. However, you’ll find better history in other ספרים. Better than the ספר הישר. Better history. It’s a form of מדרש but it’s not guaranteed to be on the same level as the מדרש רבה and other מדרשים.
TAPE # E-162Q:
Is it important to learn CPR, in order to know how to revive somebody?
A:
It’s important to do whatever you can, so that you can learn what to do in case of emergencies. It’s a mitzvah.
TAPE # 489Q:
I read recently that some astronomers have informed us that in the year 2126 a comet of ice will collide with the earth and destroy the world? What should our attitude be when we hear news like that?
A:
We should say, “Ah nechtiger tog.” It’s an absurdity! We shouldn’t even bother repeating such foolishness. It’s a waste of time.
TAPE # 901Q:
The Rav said that we have to be more involved with spiritual matters and try to avoid luxuries. But what are we supposed to do when we go to tzedaka auctions and things like that, where they’re giving away these types of luxurious items?
A:
If you want to be an עולם הבא person and you don’t want to live a luxurious life, then take the item that you win and give it back to the Yeshiva. There’s no rule that you have to accept all the luxuries and use them. You paid for it, you won, and now you can donate it back again. The tzedaka organization can use it to make more money. Give it back – I don’t see the problem.
TAPE # 815Go someplace else. The name already smells bad.
And, at the end of the day, he didn’t say it’s forbidden.
Now רבותי, that’s a very important question. I must tell you that all the things, the specific things, that you want Hashem to do for you, you should say it then. Don’t rely on שמונה עשרה, because שמונה עשרה itself is too general
I sometimes find it very difficult to justify asking for anything when my very existence is the result of not following the mitzvos and that, because of this, I am a completely wicked person with no opportunity to actually go back and correct matters.
Now, you really shouldn’t ask me that question because I don’t want to say anything about ספרים. However, you’ll find better history in other ספרים. Better than the ספר הישר. Better history. It’s a form of מדרש but it’s not guaranteed to be on the same level as the מדרש רבה and other מדרשים.
I would be highly skeptical of anyone who supposed that מדרש רבה was a history text.
We should say, “Ah nechtiger tog.” It’s an absurdity! We shouldn’t even bother repeating such foolishness. It’s a waste of time.
I highly doubt any astronomers made any such statements with certainty.
It is true that Swift-Tuttle will pass close to the earth on Aug 14, 2126. However, no reputable scientist would have stated that a collision was a certainly, but that there was merely a chance of it happening. And, as it turns out, further observations since then have ruled out a collision.
There’s no rule that you have to accept all the luxuries and use them.
Guilty as charged. I won a Megillas Esther at an auction one year and I kept it. Yes, I use it to read to homebound people every year, but perhaps I should have given it back after all. 🙁
The Wolf
Interesting. I’m glad to see this (I saw something else by R’ Miller that said men only pray in Hebrew.)
The Chofetz Chaim greatly emphasized the importance of speaking to Hashem in one’s own words every day at length (he even said in Biur Halacha that a Torah scholar should spend an entire day doing so once a week). See the quote about daily prayer in one’s own words here:
“In summation, all the many calamities that come on us and that we are not saved from them is because we are not screaming and outpouring in prayer over them. If we would pray and would pour out before HaKadosh Baruch Hu, certainly our prayers and supplications would not return empty. And it’s not enough for a person to pray the shemonei esrei three times a day, rather a few times per day, a person needs to pour out prayers and supplications in solitude, in his house, from the depths of his heart. Because the three prayers (shemonei esrei) are already fixed in his mouth and he doesn’t take them to heart so much. But if a person would contemplate in solitude and make a cheshbon hanefesh on his personal situation, his great poverty and his many toils, and for all this to live on crusty bread and water, then he will pour out his heart like water in front of Hashem, yisborach, and the prayer will go out with deep kavana and with a broken heart and a lowly spirit. A prayer like this will certainly not return empty. And then when his soul is bitter on him, on his situation and his weak standing, and he drops supplications before HaKadosh Baruch Hu, he should also remember the great pain of Hashem yisborach, because he also, so to speak, does not have rest. In all our suffering He suffers…” (Chafetz Chaim – Likutei Amarim ch.11)
“I sometimes find it very difficult to justify asking for anything when my very existence is the result of not following the mitzvos and that, because of this, I am a completely wicked person with no opportunity to actually go back and correct matters.”
I don’t understand. Your father was a non-Jew, or your parents didn’t observe Taharas haMishpacha? Why would you think such things make you a wicked person? Every person has the potential to overcome their yetzer hara and become close to Hashem. After all, each person is judged according to their deeds (Tehillim), and according to the effort is the reward (Pirkei Avos).
“God takes pride even in the most insignificant Jew, even in the sinners of Israel, so long as they go by the name Jew. There is a special pride which God takes in each individual Jew. One should therefore never despair of God’s help regardless of any wrong one may have done. God’s love for him will never cease, and he can still return to God. T he main thing is to be attached to the Tzaddik and his followers, because they possess the ability to uncover the goodness and glory which is present even in the worst people and return everything to God” (Likutei Eitzos).
“When you consider the utter greatness of God and His unfathomable exaltedness, the merest movement, the merest glance of ours which is slightly out of place in relation to the glory of God, should make us liable to whatever we should be liable to, God forbid. But He is filled with love and the whole world is filled with His kindness. God desires this world very greatly. So my beloved friend and brother, my very soul and heart, take courage and trust in God. He will not abandon you. Whatever you experience is all for your good. Rely upon God’s abundant love, which is absolutely without end. There is no limit to the greatness of God. Somehow everything will be transformed to good. Even the intentional sins will be transformed into merits. Only remain firm” (Ibid)
“Prayer helps for everything. Even if a person is unable to study Torah he will be able to do so if he prays for it. Everything good can be attained through prayer: Torah, devotion, holiness… everything good in all the worlds. Amen” (Ibid.)
Brian Marsden at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in 1973 made such statements.
He said it as a certainty? If so, I’d like to see a citation of that, please.
The Wolf
Why would you think such things make you a wicked person?
Because the Chofetz Chaim explicitly stated so. Sefer HaMitzvos HaKatzar, Mitzvas Lo Sa’aseh 132.
The Wolf
You’re certainly no worse than a mamzer, who is not blamed for his status and is surely not considered a rasha.
The Chofetz Chaim disagrees with you. He clearly states that I am wicked.
And, of course, the sword is double-edged. If I agree with him, I’m a rasha by his statement. If I disagree, then I’m a rasha for daring to disagree with the Chofetz Chaim.
The Wolf
He said it as a certainty? If so, I’d like to see a citation of that, please.
Never mind, I found it.
He said it *could* collide with the earth. And, a few months later, as he took better measurements, he corrected himself. Correcting yourself when you’ve made a mistake or have better data is good science.
The Wolf
Wolfish: Yes, it appears the Chofetz Chaim is saying the children born from unions in which taharas hamishpacha were not observed will be wicked, but 1) we don’t know if we understand his words — perhaps he did not mean always, 2) he may well have been exaggerating for emphasis, to underscore the importance of this mitzvah?
If this were literally true that the Ba’al Teshuvah movement would be a contradiction in terms — since they’re all inherently wicked because of the circumstances of their conception what’s the point of them trying? We have to rely on the authority of the greatest tzaddikim and Torah leaders of our time, and they are all 100% in favor of people becoming BTs.
You can’t use your own personal interpretation in one line of the Chofetz Chaim’s voluminous works to cast away the unanimous authority of all rabbis of the last generation or two that all Jews should become Orthodox and engage in Torah and mitzvos to the best of their ability.
I think most of us have learned that we cannot take literally all the words of chazal and more modern-day gadolim and meforshim since most commentary and psaks have a contextual element not always apparent from the quote or attribution. Generally, most are not blanket edicts or unqualified but the conditionality is often implicit rather than explicit or inferred from the facts of the question or the identify of the questioner.
Wow J that last one was heavy.
WOLF– i’m pretty sure many people don’t deserve stuff (including this guy). In fact, in a way nobody really deserves anything cuz the fact that were alive is itself is a huge chessed so we shouldnt feel like were owed anything. BUT, theres great gift called matnas chinam. Bh good stuff, it works. I once heard that in shamayim there are many otzros of goodness- and the otzar of matnas chinam is the largest.
Look, if u had no chance then u wudnt still be here (that was a big breath of fresh air for me when i thought i was done, here i am talking about matnas chinam)
Why does he assume that there are no other planets with breathable air and such?
Joseph: No, he said HaMotzi MeiChaveiro on creatures that don’t need air and such existing.
Thanks for this series, Joseph. I like his answer on vegetarianism. Here’s another one on vegetarianism (by the Sdei Chemed):
From R. Chaim Chizkiyahu Medini, Sdei Chemed, Inyan Achilat Basar (translated by R. Dovid Sears – The Vision of Eden, Orot 2003):
On the subject of eating meat nowadays, our master [R. Chaim Benveniste] in his Knesses HaGedolah (Yoreh De’ah 28) citing the Rashal, states that we may rely upon the Ri and the Ran, and eat meat for the sake of bodily nourishment, and not afflict ourselves at all. However, the Chida [R. Chaim Yosef David Azulai] in his Chaim Sha’al, 43:6, states: “It all depends upon the nature of the individual. If one can afflict oneself in order to atone for one’s sins-for ‘there is no person free from sin’-that is well and good.” As for ourselves, what can we say to this, in such an orphaned generation when the number of our sins is beyond calculation and our plight is almost unbearable, may God forgive us.
This view is shared by [R. Raphael Pinchas Yehoshua DeSegura] in Os Hi L’Olam, 63c. Here we find support and justification from a well known sage, may the Merciful One protect and sustain him, who for many years abstained completely from eating meat. Heaven forefend that anyone disparage him; happy will be his lot. He abstained even from wine, except when performing a religious precept (e.g., Kiddush, Havdalah, or the Four Cups of the Passover Seder meal). It has been said that all of a person’s labor is for the sake of food; therefore, gluttony often leads to transgression. We have already cited the words of the Ari [R. Yitzchak Luria], “Happy is the person who is able to abstain from meat and wine all week long.” Also note [R. Yehudah Tiktin] in Ba’er Heitiv on Orach Chaim 134:1, sec. 3: “There is an accepted practice not to eat meat or drink wine on Monday and Thursday, since the Heavenly Court is then sitting in judgment… Happy is the person who is able to refrain from meat and wine the entire week.” Also see Yakhel Shlomo on Orach Chaim 529:2.
It is true that [the Talmud states] that on the Sabbath one dines on meat and wine. However, that is a person’s right, not his obligation. Our sages taught, “One should eat on the Sabbath just as on a weekday [in order to avoid taking charity]” (Shabbos 118a). [Therefore, the consumption of meat cannot be construed as obligatory.] This is also the ruling of [Rabbi Moshe Isserles] in Darkei Moshe on Yoreh De’ah 341. In Reishis Chochmah [the classic introduction to the Kabbalah by R. Eliyahu de Vidas] (129b) there is a lengthy discussion that concludes that one should not consume the flesh of any living creature. And [R. Eliyahu HaKohen of Izmir] in Shevet Mussar, 192a, states that meat is only permitted to a perfectly righteous person. However, all this only pertains to the devout, and a common person is not actually forbidden to eat meat. Nevertheless, we have learned that it is correct to refrain from doing so if one is able to endure privation. Such an individual is considered mighty and holy. Also note Kerem Shlomo on Yoreh De’ah (chap. 1), which explains at length that there is no actual religious duty to consume meat and wine even on the Sabbath or Festivals.
I have recently seen the Kabbalistic work Shiur Komah by Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, and one of my students, who shall always remain dear to me, has shown me page 84c regarding the transmigration of the soul into the vital spirit of an animal. [There it states,] “Thus a conscientious person should avoid eating meat, as it is possible that the soul of a wicked person may cleave to him – sometimes hastening his death.” The editor adds: “In the light of this, one should never eat meat unless the divine mysteries have been revealed to him, and he knows that it does not contain the reincarnated soul of a transgressor. Similarly the Ari in Sha’ar HaMitzvos, in the Torah portion Eikev, cautions us not to eat much meat for this reason. He adds that certainly one must never consume the heart of any animal, beast, or bird, as therein dwells the life force”.
Wow – more please!! I listened to many of his tapes and read some of his books, but not so recently. I always found the Q&A at the end of the tapes to be the best part, but they were often cut short by the tape ending.
I attended his shiur a few times in person, just to be able to see his face and hear him live at least once while I still could. He was quite old by then, and I was young. I am glad I took that opportunity.
I even asked a few questions myself. I still remember at least one of them, paraphrased here from vague memory. If you find it on tape slightly different than I remember, please don’t hold it against me.
Q: What am I personally supposed to be doing to bring Moshiach? If he does not come, does that mean we failed?
A: Rashi wrote a Peirush on Chumash and Gemara that is used by all of Klal Yisroel. Is there any doubt that Rashi has a very special place in Gan Eden, and that he was a great Tzaddik? Yet Moshiach did not come in his lifetime. Does that Ch”V mean that Rashi failed in his life’s work?
We are not responsible to make sure that Moshiach comes. We just have to work on doing the Mitzvos we are commanded to do, in the best way that we can.keep em coming J shkoyach
So if my kid wants to go to the circus, he should ask to go to a bar?
Why is Moilech allowed to post stupidity here? Let him take his leitzanus elsewhere.
Momentarily going back to the topic of eating meat…
I appreciate all of the detailed references quoted here. I never understood how a Frum Yid could be a vegetarian, when the Torah specifically permits it, and even commands it when the meat is Kodshim from Korbannos. Furthermore, Chazzal urge that it be eaten on Shabbos and Yom Tov, as in “Ain Simcha Elah B’Bossor”, or “Bossor V’Dagim Vchol Mattamim,” etc… Now as I understand it, it is an optional degree of abstinance. (Note – that explanation may be plausible, but is still not in line with some of the quotes I have seen that strongly imply or say outright that eating meat is ‘cruel’ and ‘wrong’.)
There is also the nagging question on my mind of what these people will say when Moshiach comes and we once again have a Korban Pesach…
“What should a parent say when his child wants a pet like a dog or a goldfish?”
“They use it instead of a child. Instead of having any children,”
Got it! The child should have children.
thanks for sharingUbiq – time to review those reading comp skills.
That was beautiful.
Thanks Joseph – keep them coming!
Moilech
What you’re doing is disgusting. Even though you think that you’re being cute and funny, the fact is that you’re preventing others from reading Torah wisdom seriously.Stop it. Being a letz has its hazards. Don’t fall into the pit.
Joseph,
Please post the Q and A that was sent out on June 5th “The Mussar Lesson in the Hospital Bed” so that Moilech gets a better understanding of the damage he is doing to himself. Thank you.To go to Eretz Yisroel and to stand at a wall that means nothing to you?! It’s just a זכר of ימי קדם.
Well this isn’t incredibly insulting to the Jews who for a millenium were Moser Nefesh just to get to the Kosel, right? Why doesn’t he ask the Rishonim what they think about giving up learning time to go to Eretz Yisrael and/or the Kosel?
Why would somebody ever be מוסר נפש to go to the Kosel? That wouldn’t be permitted. Which Rishonim are you referring to?
Toras – “Why would somebody ever be מוסר נפש to go to the Kosel? That wouldn’t be permitted. Which Rishonim are you referring to?”
See Ramban in the Kesavim D’rush Rosh haShana (I think at the end), where he clearly writes what he went through to go to EY.
Eretz Yisroel is very different. According to many Rishonim that would be a mitzvah that one should be willing to suffer for (although actual mesiras nefesh is questionable). But the discussion here was going to the Kosel, not yishuv eretz Yisroel.
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