Monthly Archives: ‍‍ Iyar / Sivan 5771 - June 2011

Akrasia

Posted on ‍‍29 Sivan 5771 - June 30, 2011 by micha

(Updated with quote from 19 Letters. Click here to skip to the new material.) In what part(s) of the human condition does religious experience center? Is the purpose of religion to effect an intellectual change — right thoughts? Is it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dei`os, Faith and Proof | 1 Comment

What is Frumkeit?

Posted on ‍‍19 Sivan 5771 - June 21, 2011 by micha

The word “frum” has become a near-synonym for Orthodox. How this came to be is noteworthy. “Frum” descends from the German “fromm“, meaning pious or devout. In pre-war Yiddish, usage appears to have varied widely. On the one hand, those … Continue reading →

Posted in Anavah | 20 Comments

Mixed Emotions

Posted on ‍‍29 Iyar 5771 - June 1, 2011 by micha

A long while ago I wrote (in “A use for every middah“): The Rambam (Hilkhos Dei’os 1:4) describes the ideal balance of middos as being the shevil hazahav, the golden mean. He writes (tr. Immanuel O’Levy), “The way of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Psyche, UFEM | Leave a comment