Volume 16 Number 48
Produced: Fri Nov 11 8:37:00 1994
Subjects Discussed In This Issue:
Centrist orthodoxy in tension
[Steve Bailey]
Electric Shavers
[Yosef Bechhofer]
Judaism and Veg
[Warren Burstein]
Leadership Mission to YU
[Harry Kozlovski]
Lift and Cut Shavers
[Rabbi Uri Dasberg]
Rights
[Zvi Weiss]
Roles...
[Seth Gordon]
Water Filters and Shabbos
[Shaul Wallach]
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From: <RSRH@...> (Steve Bailey)
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 1994 01:25:29 -0500
Subject: Centrist orthodoxy in tension
In response to my friend Jonathan Rogawski ( IMHO, a brilliant
mathematician and committed Neo-orthodox Jew) regarding the tensions
between a centrist Jew's values and the goal of "enhancing his/her life
through the science, art and literature of society" -- I need to make
clear the difference between the EMPIRICAL knowledge of science, the
AESTHETIC experience of art and the APPRECIATION of the use of the word
as a medium of communication in literature on the one hand-- all of
which enhance the quality of life -- and the thoeries, values,
attitudes, interpretations and subjective reactions of scientists,
artists and writers on the other hand --which need to be continually
measured and evaluated against the yardstick of halacha and Torah
ethics.
In other words, there need be no inherent tension in a centrist Jew who
appreciates expressions of human creativity in the sciences, arts and
literature; but there surely is tension in the conflicting values
expressed by these media, which the knowlegable Jew needs to accept or
reject in a conscious, intentional manner.
Thus, I can read about the age of the universe in a way in which I can
accept empirical "facts", while judging whether to accept "theory" in
light of Jewish tradition. I can appreciate art as an expression of
emotion, idea or mood, while rejecting a particular artist's "statement"
that is incompatible with my values. I can read Rumi's love poetry as an
expression of spiritual love of the Divine, while rejecting his notion
of god to whom his poetry is addressed.
So, I am able to enhance my quality of life with the creative
expressions of the world around me, while not being threatened in my
beliefs. Of course, I need to be educated in Jewish tradition, halacha
and philosophy to deal with potential conflicts, but a Jew -- whether
orthodox or not -- must be Jewishly educated to function in a meaningful
Jewish life, anyway. So what do you think?
Steve Bailey
enhancing his quality of life in Los Angeles
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From: <sbechhof@...> (Yosef Bechhofer)
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 1994 23:28:11 -0600 (CST)
Subject: Re:Electric Shavers
I recently gave a shiur on this topic (CH 98 in our Tape Library!), and there
is a very solid Teshuva in the "Shut Melumadei Milchama" by Rabbi Nachum
Rabinowitz, Rosh HaYeshiva at Ma'aleh Adumim, in which he gives a very cogent
and convincing presentation on the issue, the upshot of which is that all
currently available electric shavers are permissible, and, that so long as the
blades in these shavers do not reach razor like size proportions (not likely),
they will continue to be permissible no matter how sharp they are, since they
fall into the category of a "chisel", which is halachically permittedin the
Gemara.
Yosef Bechhofer
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From: <warren@...> (Warren Burstein)
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 1994 10:11:20 GMT
Subject: Re: Judaism and Veg
Moshe Genuth writes:
>the Gemara explicitly states "leatid lavo kol hakorbanot betelim,
>chutz mikorban mincha shenemar: ve-arva lahashem minchat yehuda
>viyerushalyim".
Where does it say that?
thanks.
|warren@ an Anglo-Saxon." -- Stuart Schoffman
/ nysernet.org
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From: Harry Kozlovski <hkozlovs@...>
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 1994 21:56:19 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Leadership Mission to YU
On Monday, November 21, 1994, will be the 3rd Annual Leadership Mission
to Yeshiva University. The leadership mission is a dynamic, inspiring,
one day conference for Yeshiva day school leaders, board and PTA members,
and active members of respective committees. An opportunity to learn and
network at Yeshiva University, the guiding light of Torah U-Madda.
Outstanding and motivating workshops will be presented by highly
respected educators, administrators, and fundraising professionals.
SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS:
10:20 Welcome Rabbi Morton J. Summer,
Coordinator, Office of Professional Services for
Jewish Education, Yeshiva University
10:30 Shiur:Parashat Vayeshev/Chanukah Rabbi Yonason Sacks,
Rabbi Henry H. Guterman Chair
in Talmud, RIETS
11:00 If You Will It, It is Not a Dream Mrs. Miriam Bak,
Principal, Bat Torah
Academy, Suffern, NY
12:30 Greetings from Yeshiva University Rabbi Robert S. Hirt,
Vice President for
Administration and
Professional Education, RIETS
12:45 Lunch and Networking
2:00 How to Fund an Expensive Habit- Mrs. Margy-Ruth Davis,
Jewish Day School Education Executive Vice President,
Perry Davis Associates, NY
3:30 Mincha and Coffee Break
3:45 Another Aspect of Fundraising: Mr. Michael Schreck,
Tuition Executive Director,
S.A.R. Academy,
Riverdale, NY
4:45 Closing Remarks: Dr. Rita Shloush,
Jewish Day Schools With a Vision Principal, Yeshivat Rambam,
Baltimore, Maryland
Chairperson-Leadership
***************************************************************************
The many schools from all over the U.S. who have attended the past two
years have gotten a tremendous amount of information learning from others. In
fact many of the schools have come back each year.
For further information and registration, please contact
Dr. Rita Shloush, Principal of Yeshivat Rambam in Baltimore (phone
number: (410) 358-6091) who is the Chairperson of the Mission. I look
forward to meeting some of you there.
Harry L. Kozlovsky
<hkozlovs@...>
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From: Rabbi Uri Dasberg <zomet@...>
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 1994 09:50:06 +0200 (IST)
Subject: Lift and Cut Shavers
Rabbi Shabtai Rappaport, the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Shevut Yisrael in
Efrat researched the entire issue of razors and electric shavers from
the Halachic, physiological and technical perspectives (using the patent
applications of almost all of the shavers on the market today). His
conclusions were published in Volume 13 of Techumin (Zomet, Alon Shevut)
and translated in "Crossroads: Halacha and the Modern World", Volume 4
(also published by Zomet).
Rabbi Rappaport shows that the same job done by the "lift" in the "lift
and cut" is done by each and every blade to it's neighbor, with the only
difference being the relative distance between the two blades. Since the
blades are revolving so quickly, the distance between the blades is
irrelevant to the quality of the shave.
The author makes it clear that the issue is not whether the blades touch
the skin or not, but rather whether the blades have the capacity to cut
independently without the help of the screen.
I would also refer readers to my article in "Orhot" (Publication by the
Haifa Religious Council, Erev Rosh Hashana 5755 pages 36-38, please
excuse the grammatical mistakes in the article). Even if we do not
accept Rabbi Rappaport's conclusions, there is still an explanation why
one receives a "close" shave with an electric shaver. The "lift and cut"
system does not bring the skin closer to the blades and is therefore
Halachically irrelevant. What it does is to lift the hair out of its
follicle and then cut it at a lower point than would normally be
possible. After being cut, the remaining piece of hair sinks (each
hair has its own muscle) deeper into the skin (than in other shavers) and
therefore takes longer to protrude again.
Rabbi Uri Dasberg
Techumin - Editor
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From: Zvi Weiss <weissz@...>
Date: Mon, 31 Oct 1994 16:27:19 -0500
Subject: Rights
I would like to suggest a few add'l factors in considering the rights
and limitations upon the genders.
1. An Orthodox person should probably NOT be content with attributing
"Biological Differences" solely to "reproductive necessities" as
Janice Gelb appears to do. First of all, since G-d created "Teva"
(nature), I am not at all sure why ANYTHING would be considered a
"reproductive" necessity for G-d. In point of fact, it appears that
originally, it would NOT have been necessary to have 2 sexes at all
(esp. according to the Mid- rashim that Adam was hermaphroditic). In
that case, I think that it becomes almost impossible to attribute
"biological differences" solely to the afore-mentioned "reproductive
necessities". Along the same lines, it also seems that it can be
most legitimate to look for ALL differences between male/female at a
deeper level than the strictly biological. Perhaps, that is the
reason why in Kabbalah, there is the notion of "female" and "male"
aspects. In this light, it becomes pretty plausible to state that
the Torah seeks to maximize and optimize the differences between male
and female for the best.
2. According to Breuer that the Torah seeks to develop a society whose
overall focus is for G-d, it is possible for me to posit that there
may be instances where one's individual desires/wishes are curbed for
the betterment of the overall group. This may be analogous to a
fellow in the Army who REALLY wants to be in a different branch --
and honestly feels that he SHOULD be in that branch... Yet, he cannot
arbitrarily go and transfer himself over... In the same light,both
men and women should be asking what is demanded of them in developing
a Torah society -- rather than how can the Torah meet/allow for their
inclinations. *If* there is reason to believe that women should be
more active in the child-rearing area, then it may be that the Torah
expects a woman to channel any talent that she has in THAT area...
Of course I also think that these "areas" are broad enough to allow
some flexibility here....
3. There is a notion that the Torah wants to ALLOW certain roles even if
the women (or men) do not wish to avail themselves of such roles.
For example, I have heard that because the Torah wants to allow women
to remain home, it exempts a woman from being subject to a subpeona
from a Beit Din (i.e., a woman is not subject to the rule of "Im lo
Yagid"...). However, a consequence of this exemption is that a woman
CANNOT be an "eid" (a 'formal witness') as an 'eid' MUST be subject
to the rule of Im Lo Yagid... This latter idea admits that there are
"extremes" that veer away from the "average role" -- however, because
the Torah thinks that this "average role" is so important, it will
safeguard this role even at the expense of other limits upon the man
or woman.
I do not present these as definitive... However, I do believe that
these ideas should be included in any discussion..... For the same
reasons, I would be very cautious in asserting which functions are the
"biological" ones and which are not... It mayvery well be that halacha
DOES regard nurturing as "biological"... in the sense that the
"faculties" that G-d implanted in women makes it "easier" for them to
nurture or that they become "better" at nurturing than men do... It
DOESNOT mean that men cannot do it at all... just that women are
"better" able to do this...
--Zvi.
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From: <sethg@...> (Seth Gordon)
Date: Wed, 09 Nov 1994 20:39:59 EST
Subject: Re: Roles...
/ From: Stan Tenen <meru1@...>
/ The reasons why there must be men and women include that only Hashem can
/ be Unitary and Whole, otherwise, in our reality all wholes must come as
/ complementary pairs... a man and wife are considered whole while an
/ unmarried person is (usually) not considered to be whole.
Then why does halakha require *men* to marry and sire children, while
*women* are free to remain unmarried all their lives?
--Seth Gordon <sethg@...> standard disclaimer
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From: Shaul Wallach <F66204@...>
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 94 12:05:25 IST
Subject: Water Filters and Shabbos
Aliza Klein asks about water filters on Shabbat:
>Does anyone know the halachah (or the issues) that relate to using a
>water filter on Shabbos?
> ...
>My real question is whether one is allow to fill a pitcher-type water
>filter on Shabbos (like the Brita water filter).
This question came up in our house too and I was hesitant to use
it on Shabbat because of what R. Binyamin Silber Shelit"a wrote in his
"Brit `Olam" on Shabbat in the name of the Hazon Ish, since after the
impurities accumulate in the filter there seems to be a real straining
being done.
However, I asked R. Moshe Klein Shelit"a of Rabbi Wosner's Beit
Din about the Brita pitcher filter, and he said there is no concern at
all of "Borer" (separating food from refuse, one of the 39 Shabbat
labors prohibited by the Torah) and that it may be used on Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom,
Shaul
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End of Volume 16 Issue 48
