Monthly Archives: ‍‍ Shevat / Adar 5769 - February 2009

What Exists?

Posted on ‍‍3 Adar 5769 - February 26, 2009 by micha

Bishop Berkley said that  “reality” is a set of inputs G-d feeds into our souls. In His compassion, he allows us to work together by giving us consistent worldviews with each other. Which is why when a tree falls in … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamentals | 1 Comment

“A Greater Obligation”

Posted on ‍‍17 Shevat 5769 - February 11, 2009 by micha

Just sharing a couple of posts from the blog “A Simple Jew“. A Greater Obligation Footnote in the Artscroll Kitzur Shulchan Aruch: See Mishnah Berura 1:12 and Shaar HaTziyun 26 who cites Chayei Adam which states that studying sifrei mussar … Continue reading →

Posted in Dei`os | Leave a comment

Chamushim

Posted on ‍‍16 Shevat 5769 - February 9, 2009 by micha

Someone showed me the following idea in the Be’er Yoseif by Rav Yoseif Tzevi Salant. וַיַּסֵּ֨ב אֱ-לֹהִ֧ים ׀ אֶת־הָעָ֛ם דֶּ֥רֶךְ הַמִּדְבָּ֖ר יַם־ס֑וּף וַֽחֲמֻשִׁ֛ים עָל֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃ – שמות יג:יח ואסחר ה’ ית עמא אורח מדברא לימא דסוף ומזרזין סליקו … Continue reading →

Posted in 2- Shemos | Leave a comment

Different Approaches to Creation

Posted on ‍‍11 Shevat 5769 - February 5, 2009 by micha

[Modified Feb 6, 2005: References raised on an Avodah discussion added. [Modified Feb 5 2009: References to later essays added. -mi] I know of a number of approaches to evolution vs creation in Jewish thought. As far as I can … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Science and Torah | 5 Comments

Infinity and Thought

Posted on ‍‍11 Shevat 5769 - February 4, 2009 by micha

A little transfinite math as a prelude to the main point: Georg Cantor divided the concept of infinity into a number of subtypes. The number of integers (whole numbers) he called אo (read: alef-null). (Legend has it that he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Psyche | Leave a comment

Reason and the Tripartite Soul

Posted on ‍‍10 Shevat 5769 - February 3, 2009 by micha

This post will draw from ideas found in two earlier ones. So, I’ll open with a repetition of some points. Reason (from Ru’ach Memalela): By my own experience, conscious thought happens two ways: the internal monologue we call a “stream … Continue reading →

Posted in Naran, Torah as Growth | Leave a comment