JTF.ORG Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ItalianZionist on January 15, 2023, 06:54:44 PM
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I just wanted to get everyone's opinion on this...especially Chaim's. Please explain why you voted as you did. I know some antisemites at work..I suspect they are. I was thinking that if i do stay in touch them maybe I can change them?
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I voted yes.
Free will is granted to all people. If one desires to turn to the path of good and be righteous, the choice is his. Should he desire to turn to the path of iniquity, the choice is his. This is the intent of the Torah's statement: "Behold, man has become like the Unique One among us, knowing good and bad" (Genesis 3:22). This teaches that humankind was made singular in the world, in that a person can, on his own initiative, objectively think about and know what is good and what is bad, and then choose to act according to his own will.
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Sounds logical. I wonder if any famous examples come to mind.
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Sounds logical. I wonder if any famous examples come to mind.
The Biblical Esau is a famous example of a repentant Jew-hater. Genesis 33:4 states: "And Esau ran toward him and embraced him, and he fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept."
Rashi explains it is a well known tradition that Esau hated Jacob, but his compassion was moved at that time, and he kissed him wholeheartedly.
It is also interesting that Esau married a third wife. She was a daughter of Ishmael, and thus a granddaughter of Abraham. Her name was Machalat, which means “forgiveness,” and Rashi comments that from her we learn that a bride and groom are forgiven all their sins on the day of their wedding.