This Shabbos David Schlesinger led discussion. We began by discussing how we can dwell on the sukkah on the Shabbos following Simchat Torah, without violating the prohibition against “adding" to the Torah. Normally we would take the sukkah down on the 10th day, but this year Shabbos is the day after Simchat Torah. We discussed how we have to alter the sukkah, in order to be there on Shabbos. One example of what can be done, is bring in a garbage can. Whatever we do, we have to alter the environment, but in a way that isn't work that violates Shabbos.
This Shabbos we discussed the situations that can come up when we are ordered to do something that seems to be against the Torah. There can be a special problem when a rabbi or the courts order us to do something that is wrong. Should we simply refuse to follow these orders? As an example, what should we do if the religious court orders us to eat something non kosher?
We discussed how there are procedures we can follow for appealing decisions. It is very possible that judges/rabbis are very busy, and may overlook something, so it is ok to appeal decisions, but at some point we have to respect whatever the decisions are regardless of whether or not we agree with them.
David pointed out that it can really start to become a problem if rulings and orders start becoming optional because we feel it is up to us to interpret the laws for ourselves. On the other hand, we discussed the situation of the officials in Germany who performed executions, using the excuse that they were ordered to do so, so there are clearly certain orders that we are obligated not to follow.
We discussed how Judaism is a religion in which disagreement and argument is encouraged, and how we do not have a central authority today. Our religion encourages that we express our opinions, but at some point we have to accept the interpretation of Torah that is common in our communities. We discussed how different communities, and even different synagogues, may have differing customs. Regardless of what these customs are it is important to follow the customs of our synagogues and communities. One of the examples we discussed if there is a synagogue with more than one minyan each of the minyan should be careful to follow the same customs.
This Shabbos we began the new year, by starting over with the Torah and discussing parsha Bereishit and Rav Yeager's commentary of the parsha. We discussed how in the parsha it states Hashem “says let there be”. We discussed that the words “says let there be” means that Hashem willed into existence. We also discussed how in the parsha it states “saw that it was good”. We discussed how this means Hashem does not create things and then no longer plays a role. “Saw that it was good” means that Hashem continuously wills into existence. Everything around us exists because of Hashem’s constant will. Hashem did not create things and then leave everything on its own. Hashem plays an active and continuous role in our world and in our lives.
One of the discussions we had this Shabbos is why we study Torah that would seem to be of no practical use to us. For example, it is unlikely anyone in our community needs to deal with the laws of slaughtering animals, but it is still considered a mitzvah to study this Torah. We discussed how the Torah is not only a “driver’s manual”, but also a way to learn the “why” of everything. The Torah helps us answer general questions such as what is our purpose. And we also need to have a large base of knowledge in order to derive new guidelines for things that may come up in the future.
This is a summary of what we discussed. No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.
David pointed out that it can really start to become a problem if rulings and orders start becoming optional because we feel it is up to us to interpret the laws for ourselves. On the other hand, we discussed the situation of the officials in Germany who performed executions, using the excuse that they were ordered to do so, so there are clearly certain orders that we are obligated not to follow.
We discussed how Judaism is a religion in which disagreement and argument is encouraged, and how we do not have a central authority today. Our religion encourages that we express our opinions, but at some point we have to accept the interpretation of Torah that is common in our communities. We discussed how different communities, and even different synagogues, may have differing customs. Regardless of what these customs are it is important to follow the customs of our synagogues and communities. One of the examples we discussed if there is a synagogue with more than one minyan each of the minyan should be careful to follow the same customs.
This Shabbos we began the new year, by starting over with the Torah and discussing parsha Bereishit and Rav Yeager's commentary of the parsha. We discussed how in the parsha it states Hashem “says let there be”. We discussed that the words “says let there be” means that Hashem willed into existence. We also discussed how in the parsha it states “saw that it was good”. We discussed how this means Hashem does not create things and then no longer plays a role. “Saw that it was good” means that Hashem continuously wills into existence. Everything around us exists because of Hashem’s constant will. Hashem did not create things and then leave everything on its own. Hashem plays an active and continuous role in our world and in our lives.
One of the discussions we had this Shabbos is why we study Torah that would seem to be of no practical use to us. For example, it is unlikely anyone in our community needs to deal with the laws of slaughtering animals, but it is still considered a mitzvah to study this Torah. We discussed how the Torah is not only a “driver’s manual”, but also a way to learn the “why” of everything. The Torah helps us answer general questions such as what is our purpose. And we also need to have a large base of knowledge in order to derive new guidelines for things that may come up in the future.
This is a summary of what we discussed. No Halachic rulings are intended or should be inferred.
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