Avodah Mailing List

Volume 43: Number 24

Sun, 13 Apr 2025

• 1. bitachon (Joel Rich)
• 2. nki kappaim (Joel Rich)

I was listening to an interesting shiur discussing the Chazon Ish?s many
nisyonot (physical health, childlessness, wife) and how he met them all
with the bitachon that he was in good hands. Not that all would necessarily
be good in the way most people would think. The speaker saw this as
superhuman belief.

While I definitely believe that interpretation, I?m not sure that social
scientists would be that surprised because it seems as noted in ?when
prophecy fails? (see below), peoples? reactions to such circumstances would
either be to give up belief or double down on their belief. I don?t know
what to do with this thought, but that?s what comes to mind every time I
hear a story.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Prophecy_Fails
<http://www.torahmusings.com/?action=user_content_redirect&;uuid=3c69d5a2ffe13da2e802239a20fb0b844571f9812c4bd5141c6d86cdf236ac13&blog_id=20608219&post_id=61678&user_id=0&subs_id=10121545&signature=44e65b2bb295bb7a2f5b86fcdccaf6f2&email_name=new-post&user_email=joelir...@comcast.net&encoded_url=aHR0cHM6Ly9lbi53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvV2hlbl9Qcm9waGVjeV9GYWlscw=&email_id=37dcd4078a494448548590d60b6112a2>

As anticipated by the research team, the prophesied date passed with no
sign of the predicted flood, causing a dissonance between the group's
commitment to the prophecy and the unfolding reality. Different members of
the group reacted in different ways. Many of those with the highest levels
of belief, commitment and social support became more committed to their
beliefs, began to court publicity in a way they had not before, and
developed various rationalizations for the absence of the flood. Some
others, with less prior conviction and commitment, and/or less access to
ongoing group support, were less able to sustain or increase their previous
levels of belief and involvement, and several left the group. The findings
of the research team were broadly in line with their initial hypothesis
regarding how believers might react to a prophecy disconfirmation if
certain conditions were or were not in place.

Thoughts?
Bsorot tovot
joel rich
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Is the common practice for anyone who touches a megillah to wash their
hands first? (especially for megilat esther which is more likely to be
touched by the general public)?
Bsorot tovot
Joel Rich
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