Monday, February 28, 2005

Kiddush Clubs


The Orthodox Union, in a long-overdue move, called for the elimination of Kiddush Clubs in member congregations. Oh boy.

As a brief background, Halacha dictates that on Shabbos, one may not eat until one makes or hears kiddush. Usually, davening will end at about 11:00- 11:30 and in many shuls, people will slip out during haftorah to participate in what’s fondly referred to as “kiddush club”. Kiddush clubs can range from an informal, impromptu gathering where they won’t be caught to lavish (almost catered) events with paying members and sponsors. There, the participants will use this opportunity to eat, drink some good scotch and bond. Call it the Shul Men’s Club, minus the leather armchairs and good cigars. Frequently the members will decide to return to services “a little happier” and I guess this let’s them finish this social obligation called Shabbos-morning-davening a little easier.

Parody aside, I can't understand the hubub about the call for this practice to end. Don’t get me wrong here. I’ve participated, and would probably still participate (to an extent), should one be available. I understand the need for a break and the opportunity for the boys to hang together (perhaps even clandestinely) and maybe even get a little tipsy.

But I’ll call a spade a spade. I’ve been to kiddush clubs where they have divrei torah’s scheduled every week together with the l’chaim’s. Gimme a break. Let’s not pretend that this gathering is one that is sanctioned by halacha and attempt to make it some sort of seudas mitzvah by saying a nice vort on the parsha. Like my Rabbi once said, if you’re going to participate in kiddush club, don’t even bother with the kiddush or making a bracha. Do you think that God has any interest in your bracha to him when you’re ditching shul? I don’t think so.

Friday, February 25, 2005

Editing Comments

Does anyone know how to edit or delete comments on Blogger? While I'm at it, anyone know how I can put all those links on the right-hand pane. Like all those blogs that link to various other blogs, etc. I can't figure it out.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Freedom To Interpret?

Hirhurim links to a great essay written by R' Arye Carmell relevant to the current controversy over R. Slifkin's books. A recommended read for those interested.

This again brings me to my problem of trust. The current accepted 'Gedolim' still appear to issue proclomations based on emotion and politics. I say 'appear' because I recognize that intelectually I do not even come close to these 'Gedolim', yet they offer no rational explanation for these actions. Every letter/proclomation/ban/retraction/retraction of the retractions that they issue out seems to weaken the public's faith in their cababilities in 'worldly' matters.

I tried discussing this with a rebbe that I've kept in touch with but got nowhere as he is more of the opinion that the Sages and their views are infallible. The last time we argued about this type of topic a while back, things got out of hand and we didn't speak for a long time. I respect him but think he's the wrong person to talk to about this. Likewise for my LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi). If I bring these subjects up, he seems very careful to cover himself and not take a position.

Who's there to talk to? I can spend weeks reading blogs on this subject-some rational and intelectual and some with an obvious agenda (yet I can't seem to find any explaining or supporting these 'bans') but come the end of the day, what does one do? If these 'Gedolim' are the Poskim we have today, and yet I can't feel like they will present the facts but rather will follow a political line, what happens with future psak's that will come?? I'm not at a level where I can easily discount something said by a gadol, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who is really confused.

Thursday, February 17, 2005

No Hockey

So the season is cancelled. There was once a time that this would bother me. Now I don't give a damn. As far as I'm concerned, they're all greedy schmucks and they can wallow in their self-inflicted misery.

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Noticed?

Have I been noticed? not sure what this is, but I see the number 'zero' next to me. Can't be too good.

I need a shower

So my buddy Air Time gives a shout out to me. Only thing is, I get grouped together with his porn-watching update. Thanks buddy.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

I need a life

Yes. You found the right place. I'm just bored and playing with the colors. I need a life.

Maybe they ARE listening

"People who are fighting kefira are correct and should be supported since they are doing it l'sheim shamayim". I disagree. Rabbonim are not infallible and can make mistakes. No wait, that's kefirus.

Let's see where this leads.

If R' Eliyashiv backed down, why do I not see it anywhere else?

Regardless, even if the signers DO back down, or the American Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah issue some sort of face-saving statement, the damage is done. After the "Making of A Gadol" ban and now this, the credibility and trust in the gedolim has been severely tarnished.

Slifkin Ban

I'm a little late jumping into the Slifkin fray, but I need to vent.

For those of you living on Mars or Michigan, here's a little background:

Rabbi Noson Slifkin is a lecturer and author who was born in England, learned in Shaarei Torah, Medrash Shmuel and the Mir, taught Gemara and Jewish philosophy at Ohr Somayach Institutions (where he received his smicha) and I'm not sure what he does now. He's popularly know as the "Zoo Rabbi" because he "uses Torah as an aid for wildlife education, and uses wildlife as an aid for Torah education". Some of his books are Mysterious Creatures, The Camel, The Hare, & The Hyrax, Nature's Song and of course, The Science of Torah. The Science of Torah delves into some of the toughest theological issues where modern science seems to contradict the literal understanding of Briyas HaOlam, evolution and . Was it 6 days or a few billion? While I haven't read R' Slifkin's book, I have read Gerald Schroder's "Genesis and the Big Bang" where this is discussed.

Then came the ban (here). While I've spend much time in blogsphere reading up on this, I can't claim to know all the facts. I will try to summarize what I do know.

At some point, someone brought some of Slifkin's books to the attention of some of the gedolim. Most sources indicate that excerpts of some of the books were read or presented to the gedolim (most who don't read or speak English) who them proclaimed that Rabbi Slifkins writings were heretical, were banned from a jewish home and newspaper ads were taken out to publicize this.
The ban also states that R' Slifkin spurned all attempts at discussion and that all the Rabbonim who gave haskomos to the books have since retracted them.

R' Slifkin's site gives another version of the events. He says he received an ultimatum to retract his writings or face humiliation. All of his efforts to contact any of the signers were spurned and he has yet been able to respond to the attacks. None of the Rabbonim have retracted their Haskomos- they continue to hold him in high regard. He also says that he has copies of the excerpts that were sent to the gedolim and that they are all taken out of context. See his site for details.

Now while the blogworld had been having a field day with all of this. Many, many valid and persuasive arguments in support of R' Slifkin and his writings have been posted (some are here, here, here, here, and many others-just look.) Most posters agree that R' Slifkin was not writing anything new. For hundreds (more?) of years, sources in chazal show that creation was not as simple or as short as literally read and that modern discoveries in science do not necessarily contradict the Torah. I haven't come across any defense or explanation of the ban or anything explaining how the gedolei hador (a title I fear will hold less weight after this fiasco) can ruin a man's livelihood and reputation so easily.
"Chazal knew everything and it's apikorsus to think otherwise" just doesn't quite cut it for me. Anyone know of anything online which explains the gedolim's point of view?

Here is a letter written to one of the signers which I think explains most of the feelings I have on this. I don't expect a response.


Tuesday, February 08, 2005

To bitch or not to Bitch?

I hope you weren't actually holding your breath. I really can't afford to lose any readers.

So a recent comment leads me to believe that if I continue to scratch this itch, it will lead to carnal passion. Well, I'm married 9 years now, so I guess this can't hurt!

Anyhooo, what to write. I was talking a while back with Still Wonderin' who explained that the reason he started his blog all over again was that he wasn't happy with the direction his blog was taking and wanted to start fresh. He felt that he was bitching too much. My problem is that I think that the only way I have anything to write is if I bitch. There's a lot of bitchin' cooped up inside me. I don't think I want that though, so I'll try and contain it. Sure.

Here's a 'happy post'. The annual boyz skiing trip begins this Sunday morning. Every year some of the local guys get together and go skiing for a couple of days. First year there were four guys, last year there were 8 and we're looking at 14 this year. 14 guys (middle aged? are we middle aged yet? When do we reach THAT pinnacle?? I suddenly need to know) on a trip to Vermont.

If I told you that this trip is all we talk about for a good four months before and 4 months after I wouldn't be exaggerating. We obviously lead extremely exiting lives. This year we'll be heading up to Killington for two days and a few lucky ones will be staying for a third day. I'm still trying to figure out what they've done for their wives that they get the leash extended for so long. I was once told that if you 'go down', they'll let you do anything. Well, I'm not sure if it's her missing me or a testament to my lack of skill, but I'm only going for one night.

Two things should prove interesting: 1) We all need to meet at 2:00AM Sunday morning. How the hell am I gonna accomplish that?! 2) The house we're renting (14 beds) has an outdoor hot-tub. Since I doubt it fits 14, this could be the making of a really good (bad?) post.

There, that was a nice post. My thoughts on the "Slifkin Ban" next. If you haven't heard, start doing your research.