Monthly Archives: ‍‍ Teves / Shevat 5765 - January 2005

Free Will and Environment

I noticed a result of combining two previous divrei Torah. Before reading the following, see Bemachashavah Techilah for parshiyos Bo and Beshalach. In the first, I explore the question of Hashem making it impossible for Par’oh to change his mind. … Continue reading

Posted in Torah as Growth | 4 Comments

Rav Dessler’s Approach to Creation

See also Different Approaches to Creation, a survey that just touches on a variety of opinions, as well as Divine Timelessness.I think that in order to understand Rav Dessler’s position about the nature of time during ma’aseh bereishis one needs … Continue reading

Posted in Creation, Science and Torah | 3 Comments

The Fire Within the Bush

“Dirshu Hashem behimatz’o — seek G-d when He can be found, qara’uhu bihyoso qarov — call Him when He is near.””Shuvu eilai, veashuva aleikhem — Return to Me and I will return to you.”Contrasting images. The first is one of … Continue reading

Posted in 2- Shemos, Anavah | 1 Comment

Divine Timelessness

Bereishis Rabbah( 5:5): G-d made the creation of water conditional on its splitting before the Jews when they left Egypt….It was not just with the sea that He made a stipulation but with everything that He created during the six … Continue reading

Posted in Theology | 3 Comments

The Legislative Authority of a Bas Qol

A brief summary of the Encyclopedia Talmudit entry on “Bas Qol”, the paragraph about its impact on halachah:An Achna’i-style oven was made from pieces of pottery that were not cemented together. So, the question arose: Can it, like any other … Continue reading

Posted in Process | 2 Comments

Politeness and Taharah

The word “polite” comes from the Latin “politus” via the Old English “polit”, to polish. Polish is itself of the same derivation.I think this is a very telling statement about Western Culture. Politeness is about perfecting the surface. It doesn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Absolutism, Taharah | Leave a comment