I saw a sign that read, “Duck Crossing”. It was not true.

Hi skiaddict.

I am with you on that, and I am a guy.

The women, too, can talk the talk and walk the walk as well.

It’s pretty awesome to read and I learn a lot, and they all deserve tremendous respect.

I wish there was a yeshiva I could go to where I did not have to leave what I do for a few months. Otherwise, I remind myself that I do spend a lot of time learning, on my level, and have come very far, BH, from where I was.

There is SO much to know and many people who know SO much. I feel blessed to find real Judaism.

Switzerland did not care about the inhumanity which was going on during WWII, but they are meeting over what to do with a second.

Whatever they come up with, I hope the second does not cooperate. Seconds are known to be the more rascally of the time measurements.

Hi Zeeskite.

In case I missed the memo, is this weather/flu/virus thread the new, or the exciting? lol

Hi vadim.

While your concern is appreciated, I am not sure if you are accurate about, chas veshalom, getting a high like X or LSD, since they are not your “ordinary” high, in the very very least. They are radical and one would know beyond the shadow of a doubt that they were in la-la land, far far from home.

And ingesting a substance by swallowing, versus snorting/inhaling, or even shooting/injecting, would likely produce just about the same results with varying intensity.

I am curious where you got that information from.

Obviously, dietinginlakewood has been on this and had great success, and it seems to be a known substance in their town that has a track record for it’s use.

There could be many reasons why, seemingly, only this one couple was arrested. Again, this product is not such a secret so I would imagine, that if there were health concerns, by and large, that would be part of the story of the arrest.

lol @ *kapusta* @ baby wipes.

Hi taking a break.

I am glad you feel a little better about the class. Attitude is very key to motivation and learning.

I do just want to comment that while 15 weeks does not make an education; it can. It does add up and it is a building block, if you let it, to your overall education.

Just like many bricks make up a sturdy wall, each class does the same thing. It may seem like watching a plant grow, and you dont see the immediate results, but growth will take place

Remember, there is no magic pill to knowledge. At least none that is legal and without great risk.

Stick to the plan, even if the going gets tough, and you will feel the reward when all is said and done.

Also, I am serious. Go to a bookstore and glance at the “Idiots Guide” or “Dummies” books for Philosophy or Rousseau, himself, and see if they have a page on Jean-Jacques. There are also many digests and crash courses in the Philosophy section. It may help break it down enough to where the teacher will realize you “chop” what the philosopher is about. The more you “chop”, the more you get to thinking.

Hatzlacha and continue to stay tough with your goals.

Yes, chofetzchaim. AYC, too.

I am sure there are many names that once you see them will jog the memory.

For the past few days I have honestly tried to be mature while taking the vitamins which I have to take in pill form. Things have not improved. I guess I have a long way to go.

WHY DONT YOU TWO KEEP IT DOWN A LITTLE!?

Jothar. I miss his gemara discussions and knowledge of finding proofs for thing.

Hi Syag.

And thank you for helping me to get my points.

lol @ *kapusta*

Thank you for your compliment It’s greatly appreciated.

And I take it you are obviously not from the South. ooooops..lol

Hi taking a break.

It seems your disinterested attitude is influencing your approach to how you see this class. You are looking at it very cut and dry.

I dont think ethics is a black and white thing. I think people need to be made aware and hopefully, with each situation, they will choose the right thing and grow.

I also believe a person, educated in ethics, CAN BE an ethical person. One can argue if they are not an ethical person, then the only reason they do the right thing is because someone who can punish them is watching them, suggesting they would not be ethical if they think they can get away with not doing the right thing. I dont think such is the case with all people.

It does not have to be your favorite subject, but you can get a lot out of it.

1. Those books take mental effort to get into. You have to squeeze that brain to get into it, and if others in the class bring up good points of discussion, you may end up liking it.

2. Each subject not only is to learn the “pshat” level of that subject, but they also develop parts of the brain and develop a nimbleness in thinking that develop your intellect and you as a person.

I say stick it out and try harder. You may find yourself passionately committed to an idea being challenged or find you have an understanding of a concept that you want to share or clarify for others.

If you have some points of difficulty, share them here with us. We can give you feedback. I would not mind.

Philosophy was actually a minor of mine in college. I am sure I forgot a lot, but I believe I kept the skill of sticking to a concept or idea with tenacity, which helps me learn now.

Like pushups, at first it’s really difficult, but stick with it and when you get stronger, you will get enjoyment.

Hi writersoul. Refuah Shelayma!

Hey oomis. That is a great idea. The thickness of Ensure is even better than the orange juice I suggested to help swallow pills.

Hi arwsf. lol.. I cannot believe you said that. I actually picture a doctors office type picture of the head and mouth from a side view and imagine myself and the pill in my mouth just going down the opening like a drain. lol

Bottom line for those of us who have that gag reflex, which we dont want, just know that if we clamp up, the pill does go down, or comes back out.

And as many of you know, time is of the essence because either the slick tablet coating wears away or the capsule starts to dissolve like melted plastic, and out pops a new pill.

Aside from that, you get good practice saying the Hebrew letter “chof”.

My friend’s father use to say he took 5 or more at once. To me, thats like people who parachute or eat lunch on a steel girder on the 105th floor of a high-rise they are building. I dont get it.

Refuah Shelayma!!!

What a thread! lol

Not sure if I should mention this, but there was a great Jerry Lewis movie called the Disorderly Orderly.

He was an orderly in a rehabilitation home and could not go on to become a doctor because he was so empathetic to the patients, when they explained their ailments, he would grimace and cringe or bend over or bite his lips..etc.

He would have a field day reading this thread and end up exhausted.

Hi OneOfMany.

Oh, I know. Upon reread, what I wrote is not clear. Sorry bout that.

I meant to say that buying real bubble gum would be cheaper than bubble gum ice cream, is all.

I have not heard of beanboozled flavored jelly bellies. Does it taste like beans in cholent? Or are they jelly beans with booze in them? lol

Hi writersoul.

Boom!

Very clear and well said!

Does the yeshiva know you are answering their phones throughout the day and telling people that the person they are calling for is not there?

To chaplaintzvi.

The above comment about Charlie Chaplain just seemed to be sitting in the wings waiting for it’s delivery. Perhaps Groucho would have written it with more style; I am sure he would have.

I intended nothing disrespectful and only took a chance for the sake of humor. I am seeing how the written word, upon reread, can come across way different than what was intended.

I am fully aware that everyone here, whether we agree or not, whether we really disagree, and even try each others patience, still you are all learned people and I respect everyone and am fully aware everyone, everyone here is very special and valued.

HI toomuch.

Most people have some degree of social anxiety. It keeps them from being the obnoxious ones in the group.

But why should you have to wrestle with this problem to such a degree? I think you should speak to a professional about this. While it is normal to be a teenager who has social anxiety to some degree, it should not prohibit you from participating in things.

Also, I want to comment, that you must be very intelligent. Dense people dont get social anxiety. I hope you can learn to channel your great insights and awareness away from if you are seen as “good enough”, to just going to have the fun you have a right to have.

Please try to nip this while you are still young. You have a life to live and fun experiences to have!

: D

Hatzlacha!

Hi HaLeiVi.

Very well stated, thought provoking, and an interesting teaching on your part. Thank you, again.

You bring so many points across with a great deal of clarity, giving a lot to think about.

There are many kinds of enemies and there were many kinds of wars, but the arabs, with their unique style and panache hold to the most heinous attitudes about murdering since the yemach sh’mos of WWII. It does make it difficult/impossible to have a sense of pity on such an enemy.

Regarding government policy: For the most part, think of the stupidest approach to a problem. So stupid that you think, “Nah, they would never so or say that.” And then they go and do or say that.

Hi OneOfMany.

Sorry for the groan. lol

Not even a rimshot? : )

Hi HaLeiVi.

Thank you for posting that information. I appreciate the time you took so I can learn something new to me. Thank you.

I see where chazal say this applies to a dead person as well.

For the sake of conversation, do we know if this applies to a sworn enemy/rodef?

I ask this for two reasons:

1. Once it is permissible to kill an attacking people in combat where for example weapons like flame throwers can be used, parts of their bodies can be blown off, their intestines can be flowing all over the ground as they watch, how is urinating on the body any less of a disgrace to what was done to end their lives?

2. I read this past Shabbos that the reason we needed to show respect to Egypt/Paroah in our dealings was for the reason they were out hosts. We lived as sojourners in their land.

The Taliban are not anyone’s hosts. They serve only to end the lives of those not like them and those who do not want to become like them.

If a nonJew in combat blows away an enemy, and ends up doing such an act, I apologize, but I cannot see that with disgust. I mean, the entire scenario is not one I want to dwell on. Maybe I need to become more sensitized as you suggest. I will think about what you are saying.