tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post3276692937998390903..comments2024-01-30T12:26:03.019-05:00Comments on The Blog of Garnel Ironheart: Just Like Everyone ElseMighty Garnel Ironhearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09571194550300367249noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-52988976930923148772013-06-10T20:55:49.899-04:002013-06-10T20:55:49.899-04:00As far as your estimation of Rabbi Herzfeld's ...As far as your estimation of Rabbi Herzfeld's personality, I can just say that I visited Maine one summer and davened shacharis at his shul a few times. He is indeed a very nice, thoughtful person. I even gave him a few bucks for the shul, considering I got a minyan there! This despite that this story was already posted on the bulletin board from some Jewish paper more small-time than the Forward, so it hadn't hit the blogosphere yet, and I was duly (privately) scandalized (let's say I'm from the more 'charedi' end of the spectrum). As far as the 'folks who care about proper orthodoxy' I don't think you'll find too many in Portland, ME, *besides* the local Chabad people, except during tourist season.<br />M.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-78227526249142512682013-06-06T11:35:16.587-04:002013-06-06T11:35:16.587-04:00There is a famous story regarding the Rav which --...There is a famous story regarding the Rav which -- while we could question whether it is true or not -- is really applicable to this case. The question, it seems, was asked of the Rav whether it was okay, halachically, for Golda Meir to be PM of Israel (obviously referring to the question of women and communal authority). The Rav responded -- and it was okay for Ben Gurion to be PM?<br /><br />The issue here did involve the question of women and communal tefilla and that is, indeed, an issue within Halacha.* The greater problem, however, is in how we relate to the non-Orthodox branches of Judaism. This is not a question of how we relate to non-Orthodox individuals but to the institutions and individuals representing these institutions. To me, there is a problem in ignoring the great theological divides that exist. It is, furthermore, my belief that attempting to ignore these divisions because of some argument of unity only makes the problems of Jewish unity even worse. See my article on this at http://www.nishma.org/articles/introspection/introspection5761-2-adjective_jew.htm<br /> <br />* I always find it interesting (and sad) that each side on the debate about women presents their view as the only one -- negating the other as having any validity. The fact is, however, that there are differing viewpoints with the substantial majority maintaining a negative view. This majority is still wrong for completely downplaying the singular Torah scholars who support this new practice. Nevertheless, those who follow this minority are, at least, equally at fault for declaring the majority not to be honestly presenting a differing halachic view which they believe to be more correct. If someone believes that it is correct to follow a certain daas yachid, I may be called upon to respect that person even as I fully disagree with this view. The presentation of this view as THE halacha, negating the majority view as having a solid basis, however, is totally unacceptable<br /><br />Rabbi Ben HechtNishmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237299801109329429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-14590949743276034822013-05-07T18:00:41.068-04:002013-05-07T18:00:41.068-04:00It's always the same song and dance--take a pr...It's always the same song and dance--take a practice that's not strictly forbid for women, and some will find an excuse to forbid it for women anyway. Kabbalat Shabbat is *not* davar sheh-bi-k'dushah, a prayer or group of prayers for which the presence of a minyan is required--all it is is a group of psalms and one piyut (L'cha Dodi). Since when is a woman forbidden to recite psalms?Shira Salamonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15989302669175887512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-33997971277141989842013-05-02T08:23:11.331-04:002013-05-02T08:23:11.331-04:00> R. Herzfeld puts Halacha "on the same l...> R. Herzfeld puts Halacha "on the same level as make-it-up-as-you-go Judaism"? <br /><br />I think he has two categories: those areas which don't conflict with his secular liberal values and those that do. I doubt he adjusts his lulav and sukkah in any way from the accepted traditions but then there's nothing in a lulav and sukkah that would offend a secular liberal. I do think that when he is forced to say "No" because a jewish value conflicts with a secular one he has a real problem and wants to err to the secular side.<br /><br />> I'd think she led the entire tefila<br /><br />I don't think she was capable because of her injury. Eis la'asos is not something the average rav is allowed to avail himself of either except in extreme circumstances. This was not that. I mean, a simple "Hi, we're honoured to have joining us tonight..." would have been a great thing to do. And I disagree that there was any lamdus involved in his decision. These things are never a one-time deal, they become a precedent and that's dangerous.<br />Mighty Garnel Ironhearthttp://garnelironheart.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-88146449313294121282013-05-02T06:31:49.431-04:002013-05-02T06:31:49.431-04:00I know this issue drives you nuts, and I could see...I know this issue drives you nuts, and I could see you endeavored to write this post respectfully and with a "kaf zechut". Halavai everyone would disagree like that. Now, in terms of the argument...<br /><br /><i>The moral relativism that places halachic Jewish observance on the same level as make-it-up-as-you-go Judaism would be the breaking point.</i><br /><br />Maybe, but do you really think R. Herzfeld puts Halacha "on the same level as make-it-up-as-you-go Judaism"? <br /><br />1. At most, you might call this a kind of "eis la'asos" where just once he went outside the system as a matter of conscience, but that 99.9% of the time he conducts things in a "normative" halachic manner and has every intent to continue doing so. Hardly seems fair to say he puts make-it-up Judaism "on the same level" as Halacha. <br /><br />2. But he didn't even necessarily go outside the system! What you left out is this:<br /><br /><i>With her children standing nearby, Goldfinger led parts of the Kabbalat Shabbat service welcoming the Sabbath, as congregants sang along, helping when her memory failed.</i><br /><br />From your post, I'd think she led the entire tefila, but it turns out it was Kabbalat Shabbat, which as you know is the subject of debate, and there's a "tzad" (even if you don't agree with the "lamdus") to say that it's permissible.<br /><br />I think that's a significant point to mention, no? From his perspective, it was a one-time deal, and he wasn't "making it up" because there's precedent for doing it.Atheodox Jewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06404924424040480039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-70333493178637241022013-05-01T22:55:35.841-04:002013-05-01T22:55:35.841-04:00http://thoughtsofasj.blogspot.com/2013/05/y-love-i...<a href="http://thoughtsofasj.blogspot.com/2013/05/y-love-is-bitch-and-his-music-sucks.html" rel="nofollow">http://thoughtsofasj.blogspot.com/2013/05/y-love-is-bitch-and-his-music-sucks.html</a>SJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10704885840004960450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-13361829334685509482013-04-30T08:25:38.172-04:002013-04-30T08:25:38.172-04:00NebuchNebuchFrumGeekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13698026647411592329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1097749014220347853.post-86837244262176672522013-04-30T08:21:02.383-04:002013-04-30T08:21:02.383-04:00For some, "go with the flow" and "d...For some, "go with the flow" and "do your thing" are the two supreme commandments.RAMnoreply@blogger.com