tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post952075263747077407..comments2024-01-24T04:59:45.518-05:00Comments on Jewish Atheist: What's the Deal with Halakha?Jewish Atheisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616617537150446818noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-43415674252251494362007-06-30T02:07:00.000-04:002007-06-30T02:07:00.000-04:00Seems this fastidiousness could easily lead, or pe...Seems this fastidiousness could easily lead, or perhaps morph into some obsessive-compulsive condition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-6546717062448743012007-06-01T18:25:00.000-04:002007-06-01T18:25:00.000-04:00"Does God really care how I tie my shoes?" I asked...<I>"Does God really care how I tie my shoes?" I asked as a kid when I first learned that rule.</I><BR/><BR/>No, I don't believe God "cares"; it's for <B>our</B> benefit not God's. I always understood this as I do many of the seemingly mundane rules of Orthodoxy (including much of hilchot Shabbat): a way by which <B>every</B> action we do can be a means by which we can elevate ourselves rather than going through life largely unconscious.<BR/><BR/>We normally give precedence to the right over the left. (Notions of how the concepts of dexter and sinister came about are irrelevant.) Putting on the right shoe first is just a simple reminder that chesed should come before din; bringing this to practical application means that whenever possible we should try to judge our fellow favorably. So it's just a reinforcement technique. (There are kabbalistic explanations as well, but I'm not real big on those.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-86979432499641350492007-06-01T12:44:00.000-04:002007-06-01T12:44:00.000-04:00I think that part of the point is preciseness and ...I think that part of the point is preciseness and care. By focusing on perfection, we limit mistakes, sloppiness, uncaring, and the like. Anything that we do must be done precisely. What's ironic is that so many who do it end up missing the point, thinking that they need to take it 'further'. By taking it further, it's no longer precise, no longer perfect. It's simply too far gone the other way.<BR/><BR/>It's similar to the difference between organized, neat people and sloppy, imprecise people. The latter can and often do great things, but they also make big mistakes. The former avoid mistakes and still manage to achieve greatness.<BR/><BR/>Or look at any sports star for a good example. They'll tell you how much they've worked on the little details, and that that is why they're so much better - whether a bat or golf swing, a way of shooting, or any player on a football field. By focusing on the details they make sure they get it right - every single time.Ezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12494592434522239195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-44595428574214159612007-05-31T09:01:00.000-04:002007-05-31T09:01:00.000-04:00"("Does God really care how I tie my shoes?" I ask..."("Does God really care how I tie my shoes?" I asked as a kid when I first learned that rule.)"<BR/><BR/>Why shouldn't a parent take an interest in his children's behavior? Would you tell your kid to tuck his shirt in for example?God is our Father in heaven.jewish philosopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17987540457195983665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-31557743794207399802007-05-31T03:40:00.000-04:002007-05-31T03:40:00.000-04:00Who are you to say?? You are a being with a intell...Who are you to say?? You are a being with a intelligent mind that is able to discern truth from falsehood; And as such, you should condemm these actions because they're needless pains based on falsehoods that are part of a system of very dangerous falsehoods.__https://www.blogger.com/profile/10653020771983056993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-22367521306602749932007-05-30T21:34:00.000-04:002007-05-30T21:34:00.000-04:00I think the reference to OCD is pertinent. I thnk...I think the reference to OCD is pertinent. I thnk we are a ritual and habit seeking species. Consequently I think that people derive pleasure from rituals but perhaps they derive the most pleasure from rituals which they believe to be of a higher significance than just their mundane interpretation.<BR/><BR/>For example<BR/><BR/>Tying one's shoes in a specific way could be a pleasurable act if one is satisfied with the result.<BR/><BR/> Tying one's shoes and believing that one is doing it is a way which satifies the needs and wishes of an allpowerful being, probably makes the shoe -tying even MORE pleasurable.<BR/><BR/>If we are a pleasure seeking, pattern seeking, ritual seeking species - it stands to reason that we would try to maximize these experiences.<BR/><BR/>Do we try to maximize these experiences for pleasure even though these rituals have no significance outside of emotional gratification?beepbeepitsmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12931640447011071849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-15088521422179826802007-05-30T19:35:00.000-04:002007-05-30T19:35:00.000-04:00Oh dear we are a little cynical aren't we.IG, you ...Oh dear we are a little cynical aren't we.<BR/><BR/>IG, you may have a point.<BR/><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://corporatepresenter.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Yet anotherJewish Blog</A><BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.jeremyjacobs.com" REL="nofollow">and another Jewish Blog</A>Jeremy Jacobshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02014279463894807064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13054771.post-2987610959345824092007-05-30T15:34:00.000-04:002007-05-30T15:34:00.000-04:00I think it comes down to loneliness. People can't ...I think it comes down to loneliness. People can't stand the idea of being alone, so god comforts them. Also, if they are told how to perform every task in one's own life, I suppose that could feel like mock-purpose.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03859405216390259275noreply@blogger.com