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About two years ago, at a Chasunah that I attended, the Mesader Kiddushin pointedly asked the potential witnesses if they use the Boro Park Eruv. When one replied that he does, he was promptly disqualified. When he protested in idignation that he relies on his Ruv who holds that it is perfectly acceptible, and, raising his voice, asked the Mesader – “Are you calling me a Mechalel Shabbos?”, the reply he received was – “I am not calling you anything of the kind. What I AM saying is that since Chupah veKidushin are Deoraiso, one needs impeccable witnesses, whose Shabbos observance is unquestionable, whereas yours certainly ISN’T”.
If people are going to post full-length books here, can they please also post the photo of the cover and all the nice pictures that come along!
I personally asked R’ Chaim Kanievsky this summer about donating to Kupat Hair. His words were “Yes, it is a good Tzedaka”, no more, no less. He never hinted that it’s the best one, let alone the only worthwile one, nor were any segulos/supernatural intercessions mentioned.
Don’t run to get a new one yet, stick around for a while.
Forget about the time wasted on secular studies.
What about the time wasted wasting time on time-wasting secular studies?
Squeak,
You are correct in your explanation. Tosafos themselves, regarding Pi, say that 1/3 of circumference is imprecise, but, since the whole din of koreh is midivreihem, they did not wish to encumber people with exact measurements, and, if one measures a beam to be 3 t’fachim around, he can assume, as far as the halacha is concerned, to satisfy the requirement of a tefach’s thickness.
The Rishonim, furthermore, explain that the various shiurim for Deoraysa mitzvos were also given in imprecise-by-definition measurements of kezais, amah, etc, to enable every Jew no matter where to observe these Mitzvos. Not only aren’t all olives equal, but those of one land will differ from the ones in another, yet, consuming a local olive’s size measure of Matza will satisfy the halacha, and eating the same shiur of chelev will make one chayav chatos.
One should not confuse Chazal’s deliberate imprecision in regard to measurements needed for daily observance with lack of knowledge in natural sciences.
Actually I don’t. Care to explain?
Yes, we try not to allow posts that insult other posters.
That’s very clever.
Please don’t submit it a third time. You know why it was deleted.
Hishtadlus? Of course. However, if, as some claim, they truly KNOW all the medical matters contained within Torah, why won’t using those PERFECT and ABSOLUTE cures suffice as hishtadlus? And yes, I have heard them explain why they use every available medical treatment. It is because of “chochma bagoyim – ta’amin” and, while knowing that every last scientific fact is, indeed, contained in the Torah, they freely acknowledge that it is not known to them.
When a new discovery or law of nature is established, looking into the p’sukim can show that it was clearly alluded to. Yet, that doesn’t mean that it was known to be such, or derived by the chachomim from the Torah itself. Just as not every secret of Ma’aseh Bereishis or Merkava was understood by each great scholar, even though they studied it assiduously day and night, scientific matters, which did not concern them, were even more elusive to derivation. This in now way detracts from their true Gadlus in Torah matters. It DOES point to their honesty and search for truth, employing knowledge obtained from every source and person.
When Rabbi Yishmoel allowed human dissection to count the bones in human body, he didn’t rely on Sh’sa and R’mach of the mesorah, for what would have been the permissibility of nivul hames? To prove the Torah right to Tannaim, of all people? This is also the reason for permissibility of an autospy to cure another suffering of the same disease. Why dissect a body, when one can dissect a posuk?
Yes, Torah training and Sayata Dishmaya allows our Gedolim to understand some of the most complex scientific and medical matters, WHEN they specifically apply themselves to that end. I have witnessed the speed with which Gedolei Yisroel plumbed to the depth of complex Genetics issues or comprehended most arcane formulae of Quantum Mechanics. However, all that was AFTER they were instructed in these matters by professionals, or read the books that deal with such. They had the humility to ask a much younger person, sometimes totally unlearned in the basics of Judaism, to explain to them how things function, how matter is constructed, and how the world turns. Sometimes these discussions were followed by “Oy, THIS must be what the posuk in Yechezkel means with one extra letter!! Amazing! See how everything is included in the Torah!” At other times they sat in silent awe of the Creation and of the Ribono Shel Olam, who allowed human minds to unveil His wondrous secrets. I recall being in the presence of a Gadol Hador who sat in stunned silence, with sparkling eyes, after hearing of the latest discoveries made through the Hubble telescope. Finally he spoke, and the only words that came out were “Moyradik!! Dos is takke moyradik!! Ver ken fershteyn Der Boirei Oilam!!” Had he known these facts previously from his Gemara studies, why would he be so incredulous after wasting some two hours listening to what the goyim just found out?
There is a reason why Chazal instituted a b’racha to be said on a scholar of science, yes, a non-Jewish one.
If Chazal truly had a perfect, Torah-derived knowledge of sciences, let us examine some medical matters.
Starting with Rabbon Yochanan Ben Zakai, who requested a Roman physician, no less, to treat Rabbi Tzadok, instead of doing it himself? Why had those Amoroim who practiced medicine limit themselves to “complex” bloodletting, instead of using the exact treatment alluded to in the Torah? They MUST have known about bacterial and viral causes of disease, and which molds to use against the former! Why had Rambam relied on Galen and Avicenna, whom he quoted all the time, when they were both right AND wrong, rather that relying on strict Torah knowledge? How come the Gemara prohibits a Jew from dwelling in a city that lacks a physician? Shouldn’t a Rav, especially of the Tannaic or Amoraic caliber suffice?
How come Roshey Yeshiva, Rebbes, Rabbanim of yesteryear traveled to Berlin, Vienna, and Zurich for treatments and surgeries, and paid huge sums to have some uncircumcised “professor” examine them and prescribe a useless potion? Why have the poskim personally inquired of gentile physicians regarding surgeries and other methods of treatment before issuing a p’sak regarding its permissibility?
Someone brought Rabbi Firer into this thread. Well, why does he consult medical books and doctors rather than the immensely great Talmidei Chachomim in B’nei Brak? Why did Rav Moshe, and now Rav Elyashiv have a trained physician that can be consulted on medical matters? Have they lost their ability to derive the proper cures from the Torah, or was the mesorah lost. If the former, when did that happen, and if the latter, if we are to trust their mesorah in halacha, why was this particular, and IMPORTANT part of it forgotten or left untransmitted?
Lastly, when it comes to their OWN health, they prefer using top notch medical facilities and obtain access to the very best specialists, instead of asking their chavrusos to cure them. WHY????
Some overfed cats
in Dr. Seuss hats
were looking for fun in the street.
Trash was overturned,
few tires were burned,
preparing the Shabbos to greet.
With stones piled high
no car to deny
the pleasure of smashing its glass.
While calling crass names
of those who stoked flames
and burned bodies murdered with gas.
And after the show,
with faces aglow,
they strut home to relish their meal.
Then they threaten repeat,
and stomp their feet
not caring what others may feel.
No matter the cause,
whatever the flaws,
destruction and wild rampage!
Being idle all day
with no mice to play,
having nothing the hands to engage.
They aren’t to be blamed
as felines could be tamed
and trained to be mannered and good.
The fault lies overseas
with those whom they please.
Those fat cats that supply their food.
Any more from the Barry Sisters’ repertoir?
A rebbe heard his name invoked
letter by letter, sound by sound.
He could have wondered what the chosid smoked,
yet he knew better, being under the ground.
The chosid yelled and danced and sang
when he heard a voice that made him shudder.
Loud and clear in his ears it rang –
“Yes, that’s my name, but I did not stutter”.
646
Why bother? Chazal accepted the Ptolemaic system of astronomy, with all the rigid spheres, fixed orbits, “windows”, “curtains” and suchlike heavenly debris that was used by the Greeks. This went unchallenged until after the Middle Ages, neither by the scientific world, nor by the Jewish one.
While nobody knows the true meaning of the “Rakia”, it certainly isn’t a crystal ceiling in the sky, as despribed in our own sefarim. To pound one’s fist that Chazal’s scientific interpretation of T’NaCH was impeccably accurate despite concrete and obvious evidence to the contrary will only serve to devalue the Torah itself as having been written by men, and not given from Above. After all, how could one claim that it is the ultimate truth, if it verily contradicts the basic facts of life. It makes infinitely more sense to maintain that Hashem’s Torah IS perfect, but that humans, even Divinely inspired ones, explained the scientific parts thereof according to what they understood to the best of their ability. Just as a Navi in his visions saw what he could relate to, and used the terminology that he was used to, Chazal employed the latest knowledge obtainable in their time to explain the Torah.
The Babylonians, the Greeks, and the Central American Indians all had extremely advanced calculations relating to the lunar cycle. None of them had gotten this information from the Torah. Conversely, the Rambam states that the numbers used by Chazal are very slightly imprecise, yet, it isn’t due to their lack of the correct values, but in order to enable easier calculations. It is an error, he says, that does not change the date of the Molad when used with witnesses.
Our calendar sanctified by Hillel Sheni, though, IS problematic, since it is Julian and not Gregorian. Anyone opening a siddur to “tal umotor” will see that in every century those words are added a day later. Pesach DOES occur later than T’fufas Nissan by now, and Succos crosses into cold wintry weather, due to the accumulation of 2 weeks’ error since the time of Hillel. It has been proposed that, while knowing that this would be the fact, Hillel chose to use an existant callendar to facilitate the coming generations in having a working system, rather than to have the Jews using their own solar callendar in addition to lunar one. It has also been suggested that nobody envisioned the actual length of the golus before being mekadesh al pi eidim will resume, and, therefore, having few days artificially added would do no harm, as the tekufos would still be preserved. While nobody today can know with certainty Hillel’s reasoning, it is a solid fact that our traditional callendar, as practiced, is way off, but until the 15th century neither the Jewish sources, nor the Roman/European scientific ones ever mentioned being aware of this discrepancy.
Instead of today’s style of bashing the scientific advances as “done by goyim, whose only aim is to disprove the Torah”, which in itself is an imbecilic claim, Chazal embraced knowledge, and used it. They were so sure of the absolute truth of the Divine laws, that they never feared that a new discovery would shake the foundations of their faith. Today people are afraid, but instead of fearing their own ignorance they place the blame on those doing the research, as having sinister motives. Please, which astronomer examining the evidence for Black Holes, or which geneticist finding the molecular code for Tay Sachs did so in order to destroy the Biblical value system or to prove Rabbi so-and-so wrong?
The same benighted fools who yell “shtusim” and “kefira” from these pages run to the doctor for antibiotics, get their X Rays and MRI’s, fly on airplanes, and yes, listen to radio, all invented or discovered by those useless scientists who are drones, duds, and convince others of veracity of their research only to obtain more funding.
Who are the hypocritical fools after that?
Between Mepal and CanOnlyTry – you guys are funny!! Very, very good.
Pointing out instances where either Chazal themselves, or Raboseinu Rishonim vaAcharonim were wrong in scientific knowledge is not necessarily denying their greatness, unless one specifically wishes to do so. In that case, it is being mevaze Talmidei chachomim and one is deemed an apikores.
If the goal is NOT trying to prove them wrong for its own sake, or to aggrandize one’s own superiority, one may actually be doing something correct. You do not need an obscure Midrash to see that some information is at odds with reality, or that Chazal themselves have admitted that their knowledge was faulty. This, latter fact is of incredible value in this argument, because, had their scientific knowledge been obtained strictly from the Torah, they would have never changed their minds to agree with the Greek or the Roman scientists of the day. When Rabbi and Antoninus were discussing the motion of the sun (in Sanhedrin), Rebbi admitted the Roman to be in the right. Had Rebbi’s knowledge stemmed strictly from the mesorah, he would have had no right to admit that his reasoning was incorrect. There are great many examples of our sages’ acceptance of the words and arguments of the gentile scientists. Even stronger is the argument that many a time when they admitted the scientist to be correct, that very information that they did agree to was later disproven as well. Had their secondary stance been derived from the Torah alone, how could have it been so patently proven wrong later?
Yes, Chazal tell us that ALL the wordly knowledge is contained in the Torah, and we must and do accept that as a fact. However, that does NOT mean that Chazal themselves understood every scientific fact and nuance thereof from the Primary Source. They knew that it is alluded to therein, and that one COULD obtain that information from the Torah, yet, they never claimed that THEY actually had all of it revealed to them. Their humility and love of truth wouldn’t allow for such statements. It does no service to the honor of Chazal to state that they were correct even in their obvious mistakes, let alone that these mistakes are actually Torah based truths.
When it comes to latter day sages, their scientific knowledge was even more derived from the gentile world, with all its wrongful facts and assumptions. Many Rishonim maintained that the Earth is flat, as Rashi interprets the Gemara of mayim shelonu, and Rashi himself, in Asara Yuchasin states that Tigris and Euphrates flow from south to north, deriving that from a posuk regarding “nahar yotze me’Eiden”. (There exist very long debates on the topic of these four rivers. How can anyone say that the Rishonim KNEW what they are from the Torah-based geography, when they debate whether one is the Nile or Ganges, with each side bringing proofs from the pesukim AND geography?)
There were rishonim that believed in warewolves, mermaids, sirens, and other non-existant creatures. Rambam quotes almost verbatim from Galen, whose knowledge of human anatomy was in fact derived from dissecting apes, and who was proven to be absolutely wrong, after 1400 years of blind acceptance. Let’s not forget the famous debate between the Rambam and the Ramban as to whether the Moon is a heavenly body or a mere apparition. Whether one wishes to rely on Mr. Armstrong’s footprint or not, one is wrong and the other is right, since their statements are mutually exclusive. This has nothing to do with the age of the Universe, or the Big Bang, and it is not as easy to dismiss as spontaneous generation of lice, which one can tweak into meaning “Chazal’s interpretation of having a spiritual existance”. Even regarding Sheidim and witchcraft, the Rambam disagrees with Chazal, stating that these do not exist, even if explicitly mentioned in the Mishna and the Beraisa.
Our reliance on Chazal as the final arbiters of Halacha, which WAS transmitted from Sinai, doesn’t depend on their knowledge of science, geography, or astronomy. The halachos of Kiddush HaChodesh are independant of existance of the Crab Nebula, or of the fact that the Zodiac is in reality NOT a set of 12 constellations, but only appears alligned as such. Ascribing to our sages infallibility in natural sciences in the face of obvious errors only detracts from following their halachic rulings, since one may begin to feel that if they were wrong in factual matters, they could have easily been wrong in halachic ones, too. Just as our respect for the Rambam isn’t due to his being a great physician in his time, but on his knowledge of the Torah, and there is no inconsistancy in accepting his psak while acknowledging his mistakes in medicine and astronomy.
Studying science reveals to us the magnitude of Creation and the greatness of the Creator. Only those who are afraid to shake their own self-serving values would continue to postulate that whatever wrongful information was sated by Chazal must be accurate, despite obvious facts. Yet, is it really self-serving? The only gain is that one ascribes to the greatest chachomim his own mediocrity and feels a need to emphatically state that those who seached for the truth didn’t.
This is a beautiful chessed you are proposing. Helping someone get a job is not simply sustaining a person in an honorable manner, but is lifesaving! Tizku lemitzvos and for the thought alone may you be zoche to a K’siva VaChasima Tovah.
A600
Well done!!
Did Horav Hagoon Mo Hirsh take you to be mispallel at Kever Yasser, who was his dear friend and mentor? Next time you speak to him eye to eye, make sure that he doesn’t detect any acidity in your words.
In all fairness, it is not the gentiles working on Shabbos is Jerusalem that bothers the Eida. Rather it is that there is public desecration done by the Jews. So, PY, this is not a contradiction at all. Protesting Chillul Shabbos is a proper thing, indeed, IF done with dignity. The problem was the violent behavior, which, incidentally, included Chillul Shabbos in itself.
Oh please! The support of the protests by the Chazon Ish and the respect the NK had from the Brisker Rov were both directed to a different organization that no longer exists. Who in the right mind would suggest that these Gedolim were in favor of violent hooliganism perpetrated by the unruly chayos in the streets of Yerushalayim? It is no different that saying that because the Gedolim of the day had immense respect for the Tzemach Tzedek, one would assume that they would be in favor of Chabad Messionism today, and would agree with the cult of the second coming.
Ok, so there is maybe ONE real holy NK left somewhere in the closet, and the wild animals are the fake ones. Go figure who is who. However, since R’ Blau passed on, who runs the show now? We only see those who stampede.
Zevi, the problem is worse than that. Once these Yungeleit need to leave their Kollel to provide for the family, and often it is at the time when tuitions for the children are mounting, they have a serious problem making a living, unless they go into chinuch. Yes, chinuch doesn’t pay well, but it does provide some income, whereas outside of religious field work, they aren’t well equipped to hold a decent job. That isn’t due to lack of intelligence, since most are very very bright, but because one needs certain skills and/or degrees to earn a decent living. So, even going to those courses at such a time in their lives is a tremendous strain and sometimes an impossibility. Many, unfortunately, end up poor forever, after sitting and learning their best years and providing Klal Yiroel with talmidei chachomim. Is it fair for the tzibur to exalt Kollel learning and forget about those learners after they invested their best years and now need a parnassah? Why did they suddenly disappear from the map? Aren’t they the same ehrliche talmidei chachamim that they were yesterday, just now they need to spend the first 2 daily sedarim making a living, and they become nobodies. THAT is a major issue and, pardon me, gives off a hypocritical scent.
When the late lamented Nasrallah was yelling victory after the last Lebanon war, President Bush quipped that the victors don’t usually go into hiding to protect their skin. When the Roshey Yeshiva of E’Y are sending emergency emissaries to collect the basic minimum of funds needed for survival of these Kollelim, that is hardly victorius, although very unfortunate. Yes, we need a population that devotes themselves solely to Torah, but the “kemach” has to come from somewhere. Yakov Avinu himself blessed his descendents with wealth and financial success, in agriculture, trade, mining, because that is what a person needs in order to serve Hashem properly and learn his Torah, as opposed to spending the whole seder thinking about paying his utilities before they get disconnected. Idealism and realism CAN be in accord, if one only starts thinking.
35
And have I said anything different? Kindly do not place me in the hardheaded category with the “I’m right or bust” fellows. Thanks
Thanks, we are grateful for your jentle reminder. 🙂
Nice story, and “Yeshiva students” mean men in their upper 40’s no doubt. Before one quotes a maaseh, no matter how true, it pays to quote its setting, as well. Bachurim in Rav Elchanan’s yeshiva were aged 14-16, and one REALLY has to know whether that same statement would have been said to a MARRIED man, responsible to feed his family.
Really Chuck?
Face this, please, since these are very obvious examples.
The Chasidim ALL quote the Bach as to the permissibility of Chodosh, and NONE of them as much as davven the nusach the Bach used, never mind take on his chumros in Hilchos Shabbos, Kahsrus, etc, or even care to know if those exist or not.
Ashkenazim follow the psak of the Tosafos regarding Zman Krias Shema, against the Rambam, yet, have little problem davening k’vosikin when needed, like the Rambam, although the same Tosafos hold that it is a bedieved.
I only brought these 2 examples that are apparent to everyone, without delving into Choshem Mishpat where in almost every siman there is “kim li” application, which, perhaps, to some will definitely appear as pick and choose.
This is not any different than following the Rema regarding one halacha, and the Shach regarding another. Unless one is a real talmid muvhak, as existed in the times of Chazal, this has been the method of psak for close to 2000 years.
Hey, YOU said it, I kept silent, lest someone shouts that such thoughts automatically degrade the memory of some Rebbe who allowed and encouraged such practice. Don’t forget, among the Rebbes they are each other’s cousins 12 times over, sometimes very close cousins too. Some results are readily visible, but are swept under the rug. Unfortunately, that carpet isn’t magical, and known to all or not, the damaged progeny suffers for life.
What you read was indeed published, and thus far has ben validated. It seems that the origin of at least 2 of these women was from northern Italy – Lombardy, and is in accord with the history of Charlemagne’s “requesting” some of the established familes of Lucca to move to Mayence/Maintz. Members of the Kalonimus family followed his call.
Conversely, are you still wondering about the multitide of genetic diseases among Ashkenazim?
Right, not in the Austrian army, not in the hospital where he spent a long time, not in the rehab facility where he was for a year, and definitely not in the jail, the man never took off his boots!!! Does anyone with a drop of intelligence believe that? His feet must have stunk enough to make the whole German people faint, and unfortunately they didn’t. Let’s face it, a rosho is a rosho, and doesn’t have to be a demon. Homon was a HUMAN being, so was Navuchadnetzar, the Pharaoh, each and every crusader, Chmelnicki, and all those who are “omdim oleinu lechaloseinu”. Why excuse Hitler’s deeds by “demonizing” him?
By the way, has any reader here seen Stalin’s feet, or Hadrian’s, for that matter? They were all quite Satanic, but not demons.
Eli, there is only ONE proof – his actual arrival. Until then, anyting else will remain a speculation at best, and a wishful thinking at worst.
Let’s also boycott Der Yid for espousing Satmar ideology, since it opposes the Agudah, Yated Ne’eman, which reports on Israel and thus opposes Satmar, Kfar Chabad, as it is at odds with almost everyone, The Jewish Press, which represents nobody, The Mishpacha with all its gashmius advertisements, Binah, which doesn’t really address men’s issues, The Jewish Observer, which never printed even one sicha of the Rebbe, the YW, since they also censor posts, and that constitutes an opinion. I am sure I missed some extremely important Jewish “orthodox” publications, so, please fell free to add those of your personal dislike.
Meanwhile, we can continue reading the Pravda, Der Stuermer, and Al Quds, since they do not take any sides among the Charedi public, and really do not care about these elections. Wait, Al Quds is following the Neturei Karta line, so, forget that one too.
Like the fairy tales about Hitler’s chicken feet, talking fish, and the Prisoner of Azkaban…..
Imported from overseas
Reported by unknowns
Purported to have been said
Contorted beyond belief
Distorted past recognition…..
Supported solely by lack of evidence to the contrary, if at all.
The Chazal’s cheshbon was around the year 800, rav Saadia Gaon’s – 1100, Ramban said about 1390, and so forth. Statements reportedly ascribed to the Chofetz Chaim himself placed the date within 30 years of 1930…..
There were many calculations, based on Daniel, World events, catastrophes, mystic lore, and dreams, let alone grandiose statements by individuals few years ago.
Of course Moshiach can come any minute, and we await him every day. Still, claiming that these “proofs” are IT, may make one look like a fool if it doesn’t happen this year. There is a reason that his ultimate coming is called “Sod hageula”, for it is HIDDEN from the mortals. Specualtions do not equal facts, ask any investor who put his money into a “sure” venture few months ago.
Yes, let us do Teshuva because it is overdue, whether Moshicah will come tomorrow or in 50 years. By the way, did any of the quoted Gedolim tell their talmidim not to buy homes in the USA, for example? How can someone CONVINCED that it is happening NOW take out a 30 year mortgage?
Agav, “proof” # 1 is absolutely fallacious, since if you try counting the years, they simply do not divide by 28, among other problems. Nice story, though. Rabbi Svei, who, unfortunately isn’t well, did not learn by Reb Elchonon, besides the point. Stock market collapsed a lot worse in ’29, Hitler did more than talk, Carter was also elected, and all those events by themselves failed to bring the Geula, as far as we know. Oh yes, ice melts and refreezes, as can be scientifically witnessed by RECEDING seas over the last few hundred years. That cycle reverses itself, and has been doing so for longer that any written word exists.
So, learn ad davven as if he is coming tomorrow, but let it happen in Hashem’s own good time.
As usual, someone HAD to stick in something personally insulting, and, as usual, the same poster who is always RIGHT.
For “Rebbe stories” there are dozens of books written. Many of those tales, had they been read by the supposed heroes, would raise the eyebrows of those very hero. There are countless maaselach of people performing tremendous miracles deep in the forests, in total solitude. Sure, they were great men, and COULD have possibly done such, but they were also exceedingly humble, and didn’t brag about their accomplishments. So who, should be asked, is the source? The trees? The wind? Did the malochim go around telling others? The Satmar Rov Z”L had a very nice moshol regarding this phenomenon of latter day holy men greatly outperforming the Neviim in miracles.
It isn’t that the story is impossible, it often is the impossibility of anyone knowing of it happening.
Published in the “l’Enquirare Nationale “
Sarah, whoever you may be. I am NOT the one who identified you with Giving Broken Bones and all the rest of those names. Do navigate this site to find the truth.
Has anyone seen that claim, the doctor, or the fungus? Why, before publishing his claims he must have cured millions of Italians, easily. Otherwise, how cruel can a man be watching his compatriots die daily while he is writing some paper?
You are cute, I have no axe to grind with you or Sarah, but if a person, not any of the Shiva Roei Bokor mentioned, needs to post under different names to agree with oneself, that is quite pathetic. Obviously that wasn’t meant for you, if you aren’t Soloreh.
How did you know it was addressed to you if that isn’t your name? You must have read to site owner’s post. Well done, umm.
Yes, Sarah 🙂
It doesn’t have to be a package of drugs to get one in trouble. Even basic cash in excess of 10G will land one in jail, if discovered by the US Customs. Other lands have their own laws. So, unless one has X ray vision, don’t take that blender for your neighbor, since the motor may have some very original insulation.
Just like not every little Yiddele who wishes to assume the title of a Talmid Chacham may do so upon his wishes and imagination alone, Kanaus has specific requrements and prerequisites, clearly explained by Chazal. Start off by following the Beraisa of Rabbi Pinchas bar Yair at the end of Sotah, if you wish to get ANYWHERE in Judaism. Zerizus, then Zehirus, and so forth, until some day one may actually reach true Chasidus with its attached Kanaus.
I know, it is far easier to demonstrate in Kikar Shabbos that it is to learn one Tosafos. It is also more enjoyable to elevate one’s Judaism by pushing the others down than to actually climb higher. That lesson can be learned from the oldest scales models – when one cup is pressed down, the other goes up by default. Still, does anyone really think that being a “Tzadik by default” is a madrega to be aspired? What a waste of a life it will be if we only strive to such “kanaim”, whose sole achievement is proving their own worth to, basically, themselves, and a most dubious worth at that.