Monthly Archives: ‍‍ Kislev / Teves 5772 - December 2011

Shaarei Yosher, sec. 5: Sharing – Part 3

Posted on ‍‍4 Teves 5772 - December 29, 2011 by micha

WITH THIS it is possible to get a feeling for the idea that is told in the Talmud in an amazing story about the holy man Nachum ish Gam Zu. One time he did not fulfill the mitzvah of charity … Continue reading →

Posted in Shaarei Yosher | Leave a comment

A Physics Metaphor for Coming to Terms with Theodicy

Posted on ‍‍27 Kislev 5772 - December 22, 2011 by micha

As I’ve mentioned in the past, Aristotle believed that motion was caused by an intellect imparting impetus to an object, which then moved until the impetus ran out. Newton replaced this model of physics with his three laws, including: Law … Continue reading →

Posted in Theodicy | 2 Comments

When a Paradox is not a Disproof

Posted on ‍‍26 Kislev 5772 - December 21, 2011 by micha

The central theme of religion is whether the values, ritual, and system of thought work. The issues of genesis, the flood, or the tower of Babel are tangential, and out the outskirts of the Torah as a “theory” of meaning … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation | 7 Comments

Shaarei Yosher, sec. 5: Sharing – Part 2

Posted on ‍‍18 Kislev 5772 - December 13, 2011 by micha

With this idea one can understand how charity has the effect of enriching the one who performs it, as the sages say on the verse “‘aseir ta’aseir – you shall surely tithe’ – tithe, so that you shall become rich … Continue reading →

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Malki-Tzedeq and Birkhas Avos

Posted on ‍‍11 Kislev 5772 - December 7, 2011 by micha

Compare these two snippets. I added color to highlight my point. First, Bereishis 14:19-20. A massive regional war just completed, and Avraham joins the kings he fought with. Malki-Tzedeq the king of Shaleim (the future Jerusalem) and priest of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Amidah | 1 Comment