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Ask JTF for February 21, 2010
Dr. Dan:
Shalom chaim
Pardon me for the following question: Is masturbation a sin of Man against Gd or Man against another human being? It seems to me that when Onen did what he did, it was a sin of man against another human being.
Thank you
Dr. Dan
Maimonides:
It addition Hezbollah has fully rearmed along the Lebanese Border, and Syria is rumored to also have thousands of rockets ready to fire on Israel. It has also been reported that Hezbollah has troops ready to cross the Israeli border and seize towns.
We all know that Israel could easily defeat Hezbollah if it uses its full conventional military strength without being concerned about so-called "civilian" causalities on the enemy's side. However we know from past conflicts Israel always bows down to international pressure and fights blindfolded with both hands tied behind its back. For these reasons it appears that Israel is in for a serious blow that could result in the enemy actually seizing current Israeli controlled territory.
Taking all this into account are you 100% sure that this is the final redemption and that the Jewish nation will not be expelled from the Eretz Yisrael again?
Medinat Yisrael has disgraced the land Hashem has given us with its secular degenerate policies, so it seems to make sense that Hashem will punish the Jews once again for our insolence. Even though there are many good Jews in Israel such as the Hilltop settlers they are the minority, and history has shown that the minority who are righteous are not enough to save the majority of Jews from the punishment that awaits them for their continued sinful behavior.
Ari Ben-Canaan:
Dear Chaim,
Have you ever read Sun Tzu's "Art of War"? It is one of my favorite books, and I think in some ways it is the one of the best texts available to fighting the Koran's minions. "The Art of War" is also applicable to business, and other competitive challenges. - The Talmud says, "if your enemy seeks to slay you, rise first and slay your enemy." - I think the "Art of War" provides some useful thought in the "rising first, and slaying first" philosophy and concrete tactics to employ. If you have read the book, what do you think of it?
What are some of your favorite secular books? When you were in prison did you read a lot?
What makes Kosher salt Kosher; what is the difference between Kosher salt and regular table salt [aside from appeance]?
Why are there so many Kosher rules around wine? Wine is sort of like glorified juice. Are there as many rules around juice that is Kosher?
My Righteous Gentile friend almost bought me a Judaica "snuff container" for tobacco snuff. She read it's a popular activity on Shabbat to "enhance" the joy of studying Torah... I had never heard of such a thing, I hardly know what snuff is... pulverized tobacco? Have you heard of Jews "snuffing it up" on Shabbat? I know tobacco is popular, but flame is not allowed on Shabbat... perhaps this is why snuff may be popular?
Have you been following Lt. Col. Allen West, and his quest for a seat in Congress? He seems to be one sharp and astute gentleman. And he is a self-made man. I do not know too much about him, but I see eye to eye with him on some key issues... Islam and traditional American Conservatism stick out prominently.
Dan Ben Noah:
Shalom Chaim,
On last week's Ask JTF, you said that the vast majority of rabbis see the story in the Torah about the serpent in the Garden of Eden as symbolic. If this is true, do you know what this part is symbolizing?
Genesis 3:14-15
14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this,
"Cursed are you above all the livestock
and all the wild animals!
You will crawl on your belly
and you will eat dust
all the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel."
Thanks in advance.
Respectfully,
Dan Ben Noah
JTFenthusiast2:
Dear Chaim,
Hope your week was a good one!
Here are my questions for the week:
1) When was the Talmud written? And how was it decided that such an additional commentary was needed as a supplement to the original scriptures?
2) Over what span of years was the commentary compiled?
3) How was it determined who could or was qualified to add commentary? How did they know when they could stop adding additional commentary?
A quick follow up to my last week's comment involving nurse, 'Courtney,' who was speaking full fledged ebonics at work. A few days later, I saw her mingling with a very troubled, lazy and rude clerk, Ms. Shanequa Jones. Both were speaking wildly and loudly in front of patients, when Courtney erupted, "gurrrll, you know he be my man, shaking her hips wildly, then rolling her eyes, saying 'damn, no you didn't gurrlll, no you didn't (LOUD laughter)."
I thought it was time to act, as the patients were looking at her in fear, with a needle in hand (dangerous) like she was a madwoman. As many of us have had problems with Ms. Shanequa, I decided that I would try my best with a not totally lost cause, Courtney. When I saw her, I said kindly, gently, in my best Ebonics, "Courtney, why when u be with Lonquisha, you be speaking like dis', but when you be with me n' wit da patients, (switching to proper English) you seem completely capable of speaking normally?" .
You know in addition to trying to heal the sick, I think it is important to perform other public services as the day permits. Just a thought.
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