Comments for david w finkelstein in jerusalem

Comment on a very rushed blog entry by Rachel Barenblat

Rachel Barenblat — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:39:56 +0000

Nu, I had no idea you were blogging until Gella pointed here. I’m glad she did.

I took an online Talmud class with Reb Mordechai last spring. It’s the reason why I chose to learn midrash with him this summer; I’ve enjoyed his teaching a lot.

Comment on Talmud Journal #1 by Jason

Jason — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 11:43:13 +0000

Haha, Leviticus called you a sukkah.

Look at #8, sitting so cool. It’s a little unfair to 7 and 9. It’s a good thing there is no number semi-colon or I wouldn’t trust it.

Comment on Tefillah Journal Entry #7 by Victor Kava

Victor Kava — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:56:06 +0000

I’ve always thought that religion is a bit like Yoga. In Yoga, the point is not to master all the positions — almost no one can. The point, rather, is to work on taking the next step in expanding one’s capabilities. I like to say that the proper step to take is the one that’s right in front of you. It is this work of continuing g”rowth that is the practice of Yoga.
I’d venture that learning Judaism is similar. The thing to do is to learn what one needs next to learn. To add to practice throughout one’s life.
An interesting test of this idea might be to talk with some of the senior instructors at the Yeshiva. Ask if there came a point at which they “understood” Judaism. My hunch is that the reply will be that they are continuing to be students.

Comment on Tefillah Journal Entry #5 by Noomie

Noomie — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:29:35 +0000

I sincerely hope that you did not actually borrow her q-tip – hopefully this is why you put that word in quotations. Replacing a yellow, waxy q-tip in your new roommate’s collection is not a nice welcoming gesture.

Comment on Tefillah Journal Entry #6 by Azadi

Azadi — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:04:24 +0000

Why could it not be the case that love of HaShem is love of Truth? What is “God’s name” but ultimate Truth? The pursuit of mitzvot, the pursuit of a disciplined life, the living of the lessons that God teaches us through our sages, why should this not be seen as a means by which to pursue Truth?

Rambam would say that the mitzvot are, at least in part, a means by which to train oneself, to make oneself fit in body and mind by pursuing a middle path of behavior, in order to be able to receive prophecy (which is Truth, right?). That is, if you have the temperament. Some people are just animals and the mitzvot are there to keep them from eating one another… but Rambam was also an arrogant *****.

Comment on Shacharit (Morning Service): Upon Arising: modeh ani by Azadi

Azadi — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:31:54 +0000

I think of “faculties” in this context as meaning mental faculties, or at least the ability to discern wakefulness. That in itself is enough to thank God for. When you were asleep, you were in a state of quasi-death from which you can never be certain you will be restored, and the moment you realize that you have been, you acknowledge that God has restored you to “life.” We have other blessings for the other “system check” steps of waking up.

Comment on Tefillah Journal Entry #1 by Amitai Schlair

Amitai Schlair — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:24:07 +0000

װעלכע דן איז דאָס?

Comment on Tefillah Journal Entry #2 by Amitai Schlair

Amitai Schlair — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:22:21 +0000

If you will be passing through or near Haifa on this or any other trip, you MUST MUST MUST get directions to a very particular falafel shop from me. It is necessary that you eat it. Doesn’t even matter if you like falafel (I don’t). It’s that good. Shabbat shalom.

Comment on Tefillah Journal Entry #1 by Jason

Jason — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:55:44 +0000

Can you imagine meeting God and forgetting his name? Very embarrassing.

Comment on the rebbe’s last shabbat in jerusalem by Peanut-Head

Peanut-Head — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:02:04 +0000

Enigmatic quote… City Lights ?