Forum Replies Created
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Posts
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WolfishMusings,
“Again, where in my OP did you see that I was arguing with anyone — wiser or not?”
Why assume that 1 was referring specifically to you? He did not explicitly address you in his post.
Joseph,
“And that both blessings need to equally be replaced”
V’ein kol chadash tachas hashemesh. It’s amazing how the OO copy what the Conservative movement R”L already did decades ago, thinking somehow it’s going to have different results.
RebYidd23,
“you are the only one who cares”
I think the OO activities provoke more objections than the Conservative and Reform movements because they refer to themselves as “Orthodox”, whereas the other movements do not.
Gadolhadorah,
“For many yidden, it is more natural for them to move around when they are talking, so it would make more sense that they are relaxed and able to communicate with the Ebeshter in whatever format make it the most effective for them.”
This doesn’t take into account the fact that there are other people davening in the shul who may be disturbed by the pacing and thus less able to relax and communicate with the Ebeshter themselves.
Joseph,
“You were upset at my even citing the Halacha in the context of a general halachic discussion. Methinks that’s because you aren’t liking the Halacha cited.”
Youthinks wrong. And you haven’t answered my questions.
Little Froggie,
“We all know what happens when words of Torah are taken out and made into songs… how much more for this – AND FOR WHAT ITS BEING USED FOR!”
Oooh oooh! Can you repost this in the shelo asani isha thread? Slominer’s talking about making a song of that bracha complete with drums and instrumentals.
CTLAWYER,
“I’m the family law divorce lawyer.”
The only one??
yitzchokm,
This thread is about the young children of divorced parents, who are not at fault for their parents’ divorce, no matter whether it was right or wrong. So when you ride in on the high horse of moral indignation and state that divorcees should be shunned, it seems based on the context of the thread that you are advocating that children of divorced parents should be marginalized or mistreated. Is this indeed your position?
Joseph,
“Furthermore, regarding the Halacha I earlier cited, it has been the accepted psak across Klal Yisroel since the time of the Mechaber without any dissent or disagreement by any other poskim”
So let me get this straight – are you contending that, because we have the Shulchan Aruch, there is no longer a need to have a personal rav? Do you have a rav you go to for shailos? Or do you pasken for yourself based on what you think is your understanding of the Shulchan Aruch? I believe in the authority of the Shulchan Aruch. I do not believe in the ability of a layperson to properly understand the nuances of a shaila and then apply a comprehensive knowledge of the entirety of halacha in order to properly render a psak. There is a lot more to rendering a psak than finding a random siman in the Shulchan Aruch that seems related to the shaila at hand and pulling halachos out of context.
slominer,
“What about a ben sorer umoreh?”
Show me a case where someone was actually in this halachic category, and then we can talk.
Joseph,
Incorrigible is a statement about the caregiver more than the child – i.e., “not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed” by the parent or teacher. The solution, therefore, is to reach out for assistance. A rav, a frum counselor or parenting expert, or even a peer who has an outside perspective.
Joseph,
The last time I checked, Torah shebaal peh still exists. That means that we receive halachic psak from a living, breathing rav.
The little I know,
I think your arguments would be stronger without the insults.
Does the guy in the picture have long hair and a glowing giant cheerio floating over his head? Sounds like a missionary trick play.
slominer,
“How much is considered normal to tip the barber for a haircut? Is it more for a haircut plus trim?”
Assuming you like the haircut/trim you got, a normal tip I think is around 20%. Tip generously if you like your barber and intend to be a repeat customer.
“What is the typical price range frum barbers charge for a haircut? And for a haircut plus a beard trim?”
I don’t have a frum barber, but my barber charges $15 for a haircut, and an additional $4 for a beard trim. I tip $4 to $5, to bring the grand total to $23 or $24. This price is quite reasonable, even low for the area, and his work is top notch – with both attention to detail and about as fast as I’ve seen.
“Is using non-frum/non-Jewish barbers inappropriate? Are their prices generally more/less than frum barbers?”
As long as the barber can understand and follow your directions on how to cut your hair, I do not see why it would be inappropriate to have a non-Jewish barber.
zahavasdad,
“The sushi one Ive seen more in Israel than the US”
Lol, this is a politician’s non-answer answer. The reason I’m pursuing this question is that I’m wondering where we draw the line between seeing something extreme and thinking “hmm, that individual is a bit odd”, and thinking, “wow, that’s a reflection of some systematic problem in the frum community.”
slominer,
“Q – Shelo asani goy I can understand as Jewish pride, but why sing shelo asani isha as a song? A – the motivation [for singing would be the same motivation as] when saying the brocho itself and appreciating the reason Chazal instituted it”
Nah – we say the bracha because chazal instituted it. No more, no less. They didn’t tell us to make a song of it with microphones, guitars, drum-sets and whatnot. Do you break out the bongo-drums and sing hamotzi lechem min haaretz? Making a song out of a bracha comes from a motivation that we cannot pin on chazal. And again, I can understand the motivation behind the shelo asani goy song. We are in golus, surrounded by a non-Jewish culture that has veered between hostility and assimilating. I can even see a reason for a bongo-drum hamotzi, e.g., chinuch for a young child. I have yet to see a cogent reason for making one from shelo asani isha.
zahavasdad,
In case you missed my question from above: On how many houses have you seen this anti-sushi sign posted?
Thanks!
zahavasdad,
“Maybe it got lost in the post, but THAT was a subsitite for a negative reason not to go to a shul or not to eat from a hashghafa.”
Not only did I understand that, I also agreed with you. Maybe that got lost in my post 🙂 The only place I differed is that I personally think it’s fine to express the opposite – stating why you go to a certain shul, or keep certain food-based minhagim/chumras, etc. Someone who is secure in the correctness of his own practices shouldn’t have trouble encountering different opinions, even if they are more stringent. I do draw a line at bashing other Jews and their (halachically valid) practices.
“if you want to eat, Ill tell you what store I am going to and you can like it or lump it.”
That’s fine. There are many hosts, however, who do choose to accommodate their guests for kashrus, allergy, or preference concerns as much as possible. People can have peanut allergies, eat gluten free, eat yoshon, cholov Yisroel, pas Yisroel, or avoid artificial colors/flavors, sulfites, MSG, trans-fats, etc. Or maybe herring makes them nauseous 🙂
zahavasdad,
“Maybe it was lost in a post, but the emplasis was they spoke those words, not just did them quiety.”
You wrote, “kind of activity”, which suggests the acts themselves, not the words advertising them, but fine.
“If someone goes to a certain shul and doesnt really say why , its not the same as broadcasting why they go to THAT shul and dont go to THAT other shul.”
I agree with you 100% on the why I don’t go to THAT shul part (though maybe I shouldn’t say that, because I could be advertising my piety in lashon hara matters), but I don’t see anything wrong with articulating why you go to a particular shul. “I appreciate the serious davening there”, “I feel like I fit in hashkafically with the rav and kehilla there”, etc. Don’t see how that’s bragging.
“My point is , if you do a chumra , do it quietly”
I’ll repeat my question from above. What if I want to eat by you?
slominer,
“Avrom, isn’t the other song/brocho similarly offensive to a goy?”
Other than anti-Semites, nah.
“So why is it anymore offensive for the chazan to say the brocho in shul with the women saying Amein than for men to sing it as a song when women are around?”
Shelo asani goy I can understand as Jewish pride, but why sing shelo asani isha as a song? Male pride? That’s idiotic.
slominer,
“Some of the major Jewish singers today have a song of “shelo asani goy”. If they came out with a song of “shelo asani isha” would that be any different/same or more or less offensive (or no different) than singing shelo asani goy?”
It would be offensive.
“And, more importantly, why – given that they’re both brochos?”
Nothing to do with the fact that both are brachos, and everything to do with the motivations of the songwriters and singers.
zahavasdad,
“you dont need to tell someone who eats from a difference hashcha that most eat from (I am talking about generally accepted hashghcas, not ones most dont hold from) why you dont eat from THAT hashghca”
What if they want to eat by you?
zahavasdad,
“I have seen people post on their door in a big sign how they lived in a “Cell Phone and Sushi Free House””
How many “people” have you seen do this? Why can’t you just think, “well, that’s an odd thing to put on your door”, rather than “wow, frum Jews in general have a problem”?
“If that is not trying to prove how Helig you are to the rest of the world, I dont know what is,”
I don’t think you can judge with surety another’s inner motivations. What you think is clearly evident may not be so. Perhaps as much as you feel that “they” are lording their chumra-fueled piety in your face, maybe “they” feel that their family practices are insulted and ridiculed, and are making a defiant statement. Or maybe they’re just a little odd. Or they never left the high school identity-on-the-sleeve mentality. Or they think it’s funny.
“And I unfortunatly I see this kind of activity all the time, People only buying from THAT hashghca or only davening at THAT shul etc”
Wait, I thought you said your problem was with people broadcasting those things, not doing them at all.
CTLAWYER,
I’m so sorry to hear about your family’s loss.
“Yes, I have asked Mrs. CTL what she wants, and to be blunt, she would prefer that the yuntif would be over with already. She has no enthuasim for the preparation and tumult of all the family together. Yet, I feel she will miss it, if after all these years we downplay the holidays.”
It sounds like you don’t have clarity on what she really wants to do for Rosh Hashana – possibly because she herself doesn’t know. Personally, I wouldn’t move forward with any plans that involve my wife having to deal with any preparation and tumult based solely on a feeling. I would make every effort to relieve that burden unless she explicitly says she wants to make the yom tov, even with assurances that nobody will be disappointed if she doesn’t host. If you have children able and willing to make the yom tov and you can join them, I’d jump on that. If she ultimately misses it, there is Sukkos soon after, and please G-d next year.
whitecar,
“I guess my real question is, is that everything the US Goverment touches turns into garbage.”
I disagree. The Interstate Highway system, the GI Bill, Federal interventions that helped prevent the 2008 “Great Recession” from turning into a full-scale depression with widespread homelessness and hunger, the FDIC which protects your bank accounts, FHA which helps you get loans to buy a house, Social Security and Medicare which helps prevent poverty among the elderly, the National Weather Service, the military, etc. are all examples of extremely beneficial Federal programs.
“I noticed that democrats it seems dont seem to care about any longterm policys in this country. “
Again, I disagree. Environmental and Financial regulatory policies are attempts to maintain American prosperity in the future. You may disagree with the policies proposed, but they certainly reflect long-term thinking.
“For example, if you have foodstamps, you should not be able to afford a $15 breakfast in bagel nosh.”
Unfortunately, not everyone who buys a $15 breakfast in Bagel Nosh can really afford the $15 breakfast in Bagel Nosh. Programs like SNAP (food stamps have been replaced) are based on income, not the wisdom of the financial decisions of the recipients.
“Now its the goverments job to make sure, but do they?”
It’s the government’s job to reduce waste and fraud, sure. But do you want the government regulating people’s personal financial choices? I thought you were against excessive regulation and for personal freedom.
“Also a school funded by taxpayers are getting state of the art equipment, and redesigning the property with trees, why is that something that taxpayers have to cover?”
The Federal government is not paying for landscaping at schools. Schools are primarily funded at the local (municipality or county/parish) level, with additional funding and regulations from the state and Federal governments. Additionally, a lot of “extras” that schools have come via donations from rich alumni. If you don’t like how schools in your area are run, then run for your local school board. That’s where the biggest differences are made.
“Elected poloticions dont understand money or costs or buisness. Why cant people understand that, its right in front of your eyes?”
If you think you’re so much smarter than your elected officials, then run for office!
whitecar,
“Personally my ideals for this country is, a country which allows hard work to be rewarded. in order to maximize that, you need less taxes and less regulations.”
Can you explain why that would be so?
“Also the government should be focused on these 2 principles. Security and Safety nets for low or no income families and individuals. I would like to see the government spend tax money on maximum security and minimum safety net programs (so that you have a basic roof over your head, education, food and healthcare but only at a necessary minimum so that you live)”
The idea of a social safety net that provides a roof over your head, education, food, and healthcare (!!) is certainly not a conservative one.
“Democrats and Liberals, do you agree with that end game and you just happen to think there is a different route? Or do have an alternative to that idea.”
I do not pigeonhole myself as either a Democrat or Republican. Both parties are conglomerations of people with various interests that are frequently not philosophically or logically consistent. I think the end game you state – safety and prosperity – is shared by everyone. The clashes occur over values – and both sides have merits and dangerous extremes. Conservatives tend to favor loyalty, authority, and purity, while liberals focus more on caring and fairness. Both value liberty.
“Young Israel of Boca 7200 Palmetto Cir. N.
The Chofetz Chaim branch is based there. The Rov is a musmach of the yeshiva also”Lol. How do you handle this one, Curiosity?
Doing my best,
“Is it considered lashon Hara (Which if everyone knew who the person was would be a problem) to say it about a username in the CR who no one knows who this person really is?”
Not knowing who someone is does not remove the problem of lashon hara. Are you allowed to speak lashon hara about a visitor to a town, even if nobody knows his name? Beyond that, many people do know the screennames of their friends and family who post in the CR.
Phil,
“Posing questions on this site elicits fake halacha from Joseph. Ask your LOR and find one if you don’t have one”
I wouldn’t worry about 1. He and Joseph just did a CR “alley-oop” play that’s pretty common around here. The “Question” thread about pru urvu is another example of the same.
I think most people here know to “AYLOR” the real shailas. It’s clear that the OP seems to think he already has the answer, and just wants to hock about it.
Avi K,
“Avram, respecting diversity includes respecting my right to object to a word, make fun of Jargon, etc.”
There is no legitimate Jewish culture predicated on making fun of other Jews. Sorry. What is hateful to you, do not do to others.
Non Political,
“And if they where talking about Observant Jews would you agree with Ai K’s statement?”
That would depend on your definition of observant. Additionally, there are situations where I can simultaneously accept an observant Jew’s word that his food is kosher and not be able to eat it due to my minhagim. An obvious example of this would be rice during Pesach.
Avi K,
“1. What about someone who does not want to be called a Yid, either because he wants to leave knows that the word is often a pejorative, wants to Jargon to philologists or is a proud non-Ashkenazi?”
That’s fine. You certainly don’t have to use the word, and you can politely request people to not use the word when referring to you. At the end of the day, however, reasonable people acknowledge that there is a diversity of cultures within the Jewish people, and have the ability to respect those cultural differences, which include language.
I find it sad that you define your identity as being “non” something. It’s better to be “for” something. Being proud of your own culture is wonderful. But do you think Hashem wants you to distance yourself from your brethren and sow discord among them? Over things like “Yidden” and “Gut Shabbos”?
“2. See Pitchei Teshuva YD 116:10 that there is an opinion that someone who does not accept an observant Jew’s word that his food is kosher is a heretic as he opposes Chazal, who said that a single witness is believed regarding prohibitions.”
Hold your heretic hurling horses there. DovidBT and knaidlach were very clearly talking about non-observant Jews.
“As for his kashrut not being up to “your standard”, what about one’s standard in ben adam l’chaveiro, avoiding mechzi k’yuheira, etc.?”
Knaidlach wrote: “achdus means that you show that any yid is special to you and you love him and you are friendly.” What more do you want? Should I eat bacon at a Reform Jew’s house to satisfy bein adam l’chaveiro? Also, doesn’t bein adam l’chaveiro include things like not making a fellow Jew feel bad for saving ‘sav’ instead of ‘tav’, or wishing someone a freilechen Purim?
Machlokes and hypocrisy are not the same thing.
How exactly would that be different from the CR? Are you asking for the ability to write an OP and disallow responses?
Curiosity,
“…if they don’t typically work 45 hour weeks with only 10-15 days vacation per year, like every other profession? I know that educating our children is important, etc., but that doesn’t justify a $50k/year salary (not to mention a nice pension in some states) for working what would otherwise be considered a part-time job, if it were not in the field of education.”
Supply and demand: If educators indeed received “full time” pay and benefits for a “part time” job, then there would be droves of people breaking down the door to be teachers. We do not see this. Why?
A 40 hour workweek over 50 weeks in a year comes out to around 2000 hours worked. A teacher works more like 40 weeks out of the year, but puts in closer to 10 hours of work per day, which comes out to a 50 hour workweek. Also 2000 hours. So you’re essentially kvetching about 50*40 vs. 40*50.
And the pay gap between teaching and other professions increases quite a bit when factoring in years worked.
It is Time for Truth,
“Better than any other,the glorious greenhouse for steamy fiery greatness over the past few hundred years was NE Europe.
Acknowledging that causes some to have intestinal angst.Very destabilizing for them.”I am not foolish enough crane my neck up towards our giants in Torah and presume to judge them.
Avi K,
My perspective on these threads: For many Ashkenazim, especially Chassidim, Yiddish is regarded as an important element of their culture. And your derision of Yiddish and other Ashkenazic practices in favor of Israeli or Sefardic ones is perceived as an attack on that culture.
If your problem is that some people conflate Ashkenazic/Chassidic culture with Judaism as a whole, thus perceiving other Jewish cultures as “less than”, I agree 100% that this should be opposed. But that is not how you are coming across. You seem to be going to the opposite extreme – trying to paint Ashkenazim as “less than” via your Chacham Ovadia ZT”L quotations, calling Yiddish insulting names, etc.
You seem to have a great desire to see the Jewish people as a whole come back to Eretz Yisroel. But if someone feels that his dialect will be mocked, that his choice of headwear will inspire hatred, and his family customs despised in Israel, isn’t that counter-productive to your goal? I understand that you have been made to feel the same way, but do two wrongs make a right?
As a side point – it’s clear from reading Shoftim that the Jewish shevatim spoke with different dialects even before the first Beis Hamikdash was built!
New Yorker at heart,
“I am overcome by this terrible trend hitting bnei Torah and Rebbiem”
Overcome? Isn’t that a bit of hyperbole?
“Just like a soldier in the army has to wear his uniform at all times when he is on duty or else he will get court marshaled,
So too yungerliet and rabbeim who are on duty 24/7- 365 should have to wear their hats and jackets whenever they step out into the street.”Using your army moshol, the rabbeim are equivalent to our officers, and it’s failure to follow their orders that would result in a court marshal. If they are not objecting to a change in uniform standards on the base, what exactly is your problem?
laskern,
“As a historical note the discontinuation of wearing hats came with the arrival of President Kennedy. Cristziansich Yudensich. We follow the umas haolom.”
I doubt that. I’m not a sociologist, but if I were to guess, I think the rise of the automobile as a primary mode of transportation, especially once they became climate controlled, is what led to hats falling into disuse. The ability to travel or commute in a dry cabin with comfortable temperatures reduced the need for the hat’s functionality, and the low ceiling and lack of space made hats inconvenient to bring along in the car.
RebYidd23,
I have occasionally felt ill in the day or two following a fast (fatigue, malaise), and I realized that for me it had little to do with the food that I ate before or after the fast, and much more to do with hydration. The summer fasts especially can be very dehydrating, and I have found that I continue to be dehydrated for a day or two after the fast. So I drink water more frequently for a few days, and that largely solves the problem. Also, I’ve found that eating too fast and drinking too little water when breaking the fast can also lead to gastronomical upset.
Mammele,
For sure! I step down my caffeine intake in the days before Yom Kippur, Shiva Asar bBTammuz, and Tisha B’Av to try and avoid the monstrous headache. For the other fasts, I can wake up and get a cup of tea or coffee in before it starts.
It is already routinely happening in the U.S., although they don’t use the term “slavery” for it.
Lightbrite,
“Ice burns! It’s official; I got second degree burns by applying ice to a bruise.”
So sorry to hear that! I hope you have a full and complete recovery.
“Do your kids know the dangers of applying ice directly to their skin?”
Yes, when put ice on our kids, which they usually decline to do anyway, we put something between the ice and their skin, such as a washcloth or paper towels. We also remove the ice after 15-20 minutes, so the skin can warm back up. My parents told me to do this as well when I was younger. Frozen peas might be a better icer than an ice pack, because the peas can conform to your skin (less need to apply pressure) and they move around more. For a burn caused by contact with a hot surface, we run it under cold water from the tap for as long as possible, and never put ice, butter or oil on it.
bk613,
“what legal right does Hatzolah have to confiscate private property from them”
The article did not state that Hatzolah confiscated the radios. I assume it was the parents, and they definitely have the right. Note the appeal from the Hatzola Catskills coordinator:
“We are pleading with parents to confiscate ALL radios with Hatzolah frequencies from children, and imploring parents not to buy these devices for them. This is Pikuach Nefashos, and this will not be tolerated whatsoever”, a Catskills Hatzalah Coordinator told YWN.”
coffee addict,
“Orb stands for orthodox rabbinical board of broward county, miami’s Hashgacha is the KM (kosher Miami)”
Thanks, good catch.
Lightbrite,
Inside Disney, the double-sealed frozen meals heated in a microwave are likely the best you’ll get. I haven’t been to Orlando in 5 years, and I haven’t been to Disney since I was a Florida resident over a decade ago. There are a few kosher restaurants around, but the turnover is fast and the hashgachos can be confusing, so I cannot recommend a specific place. I am familiar with the Miami-based ORB, and the RCF is Chabad’s north and central Florida rabbinical organization, but outside of them I know nothing. I miss Ole Gourmet in Maitland – it was a repeated stop for us during trips across the state once upon a time. If you want to go beyond the microwaved double-wrapped airline meals, you should probably look into getting meals from restaurants outside of Disney, or bringing in your own food.
Curiosity,
“The way you phrase this question shows complete intellectual dishonesty and twisting of the truth.”
Well hello to you too. I would appreciate if you could address the content of my posts without making ad hominem attacks.
“There is a big difference between “requesting asylum” and illegally sneaking across the border. One is a crime the other is not.”
I have already addressed this in other posts in this thread. To recap:
1. Some of the families who had children separated had entered the U.S. at legal ports of entry.
2. One must be physically present inside the U.S. to request asylum, and it is extremely difficult to enter the U.S. at legal points of entry. Some families are turned away outright. Others are left waiting for days. Due to this, asylum seekers frequently cross the border and then surrender themselves to authorities. Take the hysteria out of the equation, if you’re trying to get somewhere and you’re stuck for a long time at an obviously broken traffic signal, what would you do? Yes, it’s a misdemeanor offense, but from the hysteria over this issue you’d think it’s mass murder or something.“Let’s not pretend anyone is saying we should no longer accept legitimate asylum seekers who don’t try to skip the line ahead of everyone else who is trying to go through it the legal way.”
Line? How about let’s not pretend that there is a line for people to get in or skip. Read my posts from above. It’s nearly impossible to legally immigrate to the U.S., and prohibitively hard for families to request asylum.
“Oh and by the way, most of the illegals who sneak in do it for money not for asylum.”
That’s for the courts to decide on a case by case basis. We’re a nation of laws, remember?
The little I know,
“The reason that Liberalism has become a Disease is because it is limitless in its scope.”
Define “Liberalism” – I imagine we might largely agree with respect to socially liberal issues as in your example. But if someone has a different opinion than you do regarding, say, the role of the Federal Government vs. the states, the degree of economic assistance offered by the government, or the amount of tax citizens should pay, etc., would you also label those different opinions a capital-D Disease?
“The labeling of anything Trump does as evil is an extreme position, and this is detestable.”
Yeah, those are partisans, and both parties have ’em.
“In fact, his immigration policies were actually stated openly by Bill Clinton, Obama, and numerous Democrat politicians in Congress.”
Really? Which previous administration called for the building of a wall and getting Mexico to pay for it? Which previous administration called for extrajudicial removal of asylum claimants?
Joseph,
“Avram, do you believe that America should accept anyone in the world who isn’t dangerous that wants to move to America for economic reasons?”
Increase opportunity for legal immigration? Yes. Automatically accept everyone who wants to immigrate because of economic reasons, even if it stresses U.S. resources? No.
“If not, what should America do to those that come here illegally for economic reasons?”
If apprehended at the border, charge them with a misdemeanor and deport them.
The little I know,
“I believe I am moderate about certain things, including politics.”
” I do not even respect the MSM when they broadcast the weather forecast. Meanwhile, the Democrat agenda has zero to do with leading the country, helping the population, or even the constituencies of the various elected officials, but rather the good ole ATDS (Anti-Trump Derangement Syndrome).”
“Then the brain dead people take to the microphones… Should YWN broadcast articles from these idiots?”
Well! If this is your definition of “moderate” I’d hate to see your definition of partisan.
Avi K,
“Avram, are you saying that the US should take in all comers?”
That’s another false dilemma. The U.S. should prioritize keeping dangerous people out while maintaining its values as a refuge and beacon of hope for those yearning to be free, and stop mucking up the legal process to try and keep non-violent people out. Personally, I fear the flow of drugs northward into the U.S. and the flow of guns southward into Mexico and Central America a lot more than I fear families who happen to speak Spanish, and I think that’s where most of the U.S. border security resources should be prioritized.
“How exactly would you monitor them without establishing a totalitarian state?”
The best way would be to speed up the processing of asylum claims in the legal system. Barring that, something like a weekly check-in with a case worker is hardly totalitarian.