Pride Without Prejudice

I will offer a prayer:

May our holy people have unbreakable moral fortitude to stand strong against all the immorality, indecency and perversions of human life that is currently in style in the western world.

All of this celebration looks like light and freedom. However it is really darkness and the furthest thing from freedom. Its a charade, a facade, a put on. Its all about nothing.

Beyond that, to identify ones whole life with ones sexuality is about the most small minded thing that one can do.

There are so many more ways to express ones essence. Is this their essence? Is this all they are about? Can you imagine your tombstone saying “He was greatly into his sexuality”. How utterly boring.

I think it would have been more beneficial to go Central Park, throw a ball around and spend time looking at the beautiful grass and trees that Hashem has provided us for our enjoyment.

Well then Emes Rocker, since harping on a single subject is the basis for one’s “essence” – I’m guessing your tombstone will most likely say something extremely interesting and valuable like – “spent long days and dark nights writing anonymous and ineffectual jabs at formerly Frum people”… lol.
But on a serious thought – can you give me even ONE proof that is acceptable in a Beis Din as to the fact that the Torah as we now know it is actually true? (You do realize of course that Mesorah is at best Eid M-pi Eid and has no proof value whatsoever)

There are so many, where to begin.

How did Moshe Rabbeinu know the kosher status of every animal in the world? Did he travel around on a National Geographic tour?

How did the Torah know in advance the future course of Jewish History?

How can you explain the Baal Haturim’s findings of exact gematrias in chumash that correspond perfectly with explanations of Chazal that were put in writing many centuries after the Torah was given?

How is it possible that we have a universally accepted halacha that if even a single letter of the Torah is missing or damaged that the entire Sefer Torah is posul?

There are many more— email me and I can explain further.

Ummmm…. exactly which one of those “proofs” would be acceptable in Beis Din??

Such weak arguments, where to begin.

How did Moshe Rabbeinu know the kosher status of every animal in the world? Did he travel around on a National Geographic tour?
How about Moshe didn’t write it? Perhaps someone who did know something about animals wrote it? And besides, wasn’t Moshe an animal herder for many years? It’s not like he named any rare or exotic species… just common animals which he would of course be familiar with. Also, without any research whatsoever, I found this. I’m sure there’s lots more out there where this link came from: http://www.dvorkin.com/essays/dietproof.html

How did the Torah know in advance the future course of Jewish History?
Did the Torah know in advance the future course of Jewish History? Where? That the Jews will return to their homeland? Could it have been written after it happened? (For that matter, the Prophets also write about many other nations being exiled and their returning to their homeland. I wonder if that ever happened.) Oh, are you referring to 1948? I don’t think I need to refute that…

How can you explain the Baal Haturim’s findings of exact gematrias in chumash that correspond perfectly with explanations of Chazal that were put in writing many centuries after the Torah was given?
Are the Bal Haturim’s gematrias any better than the Imrei Chaim’s? Or Reb Moshe Wolfson’s? Or the Christian findings of exact gematrias revealing that Jesus is Moshiach? Or the one from Rabbi Gershon Winkler that yogurt is good for your health? (He didn’t mention the gematria, but it was revealed at Mount Sinai and the secret was passed down from father to son, generation after generation, and kept in the family for all these thousands of years. If you insist, I will reveal it to you, on condition that you purify your soul by not writing on Unpious for forty days and forty nights…)

How is it possible that we have a universally accepted halacha that if even a single letter of the Torah is missing or damaged that the entire Sefer Torah is posul?
Don’t you know that different communities have different versions of the Torah, with different letters in different places? Don’t you know that the gemara (Kidushin 30a) mentions that already in those days they were not בקיא (proficient) in חסירות ויתירות (exact spellings of the Torah)?

I gave you the most simplest of proofs and you responded with even weaker responses. You could sling back all the Jewish Theological Cemetary nonsense you want. Its all politics.

Clearly you have not learned the Baal HaTurim. But even if you have, you have decided to reply with basic apirkorsus for whatever reason.
I just quoted the Baal Haturim because its quick and easy and shows the connection between the Written and Oral Torah clearly. Really anytime you learn Torah properly you can see the Divinity of it. I see G-d all over the Gemara–on every daf on every line. Why on earth would Chazal spend so much time with all the seemingly tiniest details of the universe? The reason is that they really took the concept of G-d being ONE seriously. If G-d is One then He is everywhere at every time and nothing in the world is irrelevant. Every detail of Shas even things that seem totally arcane and useless bits of information are just snapshots of G-d.

I know many people never heard this in Yeshiva and they just focused on getting the technical skills to be able to read. However that is what you do when you are young. When you get older and have some whiskers on your face you can really delve into with the depth that it deserves.

Rarely does one spout heresy because they intellectually disagree with the Torah.

I don’t actually believe you have any emunah problems, but rather just a little spiritual constipation. Your guf and neshama are a bit out of sync. It happens to the best of us. Don’t worry it will eventually subside and you will hopefully have the calm and tranquility to taste the sweetness of Torah. Just keep learning my friend.

I will daven that you find a teacher who can teach you in a way that will connect to your essence.

With Love,
GOOD SHABBOS!
EMES R

Emes Rocker, you pitiful soul. Your pain breaks my heart. It is obvious that you’ve been caught in the powefully alluring web of ancient superstitions, and now you simply don’t know how to get out of it. You resort to the most ludicrous “proofs” in a desperate effort to justify your own feeble-minded embrace of nonsensical ideas.

Remember though, it’s never too late. You too can still know the bliss, the freedom, the genuine peace of mind that comes from throwing off the repressive shackles of the Torah. Instead of hollow sentimentalism regarding the special-ness of the Torah, you too can use your intellect instead of emotion and realize the truly horrible falsehoods of traditional Judaism’s claims.

I know it’s difficult. You love the kugel. You love kosher pizza. You love a good belch after a truly satisfying shabbos meal. You even love cutesy Baal Haturims. But here’s the good news! We too once loved all those things. And we overcame those petty little satisfactions and recognized greater and more important truths. I know it’s hard, but with the gentle support and guidance of your fellow former-frummies you can overcome it. Do not give up hope! We’re here to help you.

Love you always, my brother.

Emes Rocker – I am still waiting for a response to my question to you. Please show me a SINGLE proof that would actually be acceptable in a Beis Din (I’ll even accept for these purposes – b’dieved – proofs acceptable in a secular court of law).

ER: The vast majority of your posts are just platitudes which I hear at every drashah at every simcha, and don’t prove anything. Here is a sample of your above post, with just a few words changed here and there. Nice writing does not a good argument make.

I gave you the most simplest of answers and you responded with even weaker responses. You could sling back all the Aish nonsense you want. Its all politics.

Clearly you have not learned the Baal HaTurim. But even if you have, you have decided to reply with basic propoganda for whatever reason. You just quoted the Baal Haturim because its quick and easy and is smart sounding, but it doesn’t show any connection between the Written and Oral Torah whatsoever. Really anytime you learn anything you can claim to see the Divinity of it. Christians see G-d all over the New Testament- in every word on every line. So what?

You ask “Why on earth would Chazal spend so much time with all the seemingly tiniest details of the universe?” Yes, freakin’ why? I wondered about that myself! Your answer: “The reason is that they really took the concept of G-d being ONE seriously. If G-d is One then He is everywhere at every time and nothing in the world is irrelevant.” Deep, man. Deep. And That’s exactly why I spend so much time with the tiniest details of my girlfriend Sarah’s “universe”. It’s the concept of Oneness. Totally. I get it. Do you?
Every detail of Shas even things that seem totally arcane and useless bits of information are exactly that- just useless bits of information (except for the recipe for the concoction that you put into your eyes which causes you to see sheidim- ghosts. That’s more useful than ‘shrooms!)

I know many people never heard this in Yeshiva and they just focused on getting the technical skills to be able to read. However that is what you do when you are young. When you get older and have some whiskers on your face you can really delve into it with the depth that it deserves and realize what it really is- Millenia old bullshit and superstition.

Rarely does one spout faith because they intellectually agree with the Torah.
I don’t actually believe you have any emunah, but rather just a little mental constipation. Your yin and yang are a bit out of sync. It happens to the best of us. Don’t worry it will eventually subside and you will hopefully have the calm and tranquility to taste the sweetness of life. Just keep learning my friend. Or whatever, I don’t give a damn.

I only hope for your own sake that you find a way to connect to your essence.

I will just let my buddy Matis do the talking now:

Stripping away the layers and reveal your soul
You gotta to give yourself up and then you become whole
You’re a slave to yourself and you don’t even know
Want to live the fast life but your brain moves slow
If you’re trying to stay high, you’re bound to stay low
You want G-d but you couldn’t deflate your ego
You’re already there, then there’s nowhere to go
You’re cup’s already full then it’s bound to overflow

If you’re drowning in the waters and you can’t stay afloat
Ask Hashem for mercy and he’ll throw you a rope
Lookin’ for help from G-d; you say He couldn’t be found
Searching up to the sky and looking beneath the ground

Like a King without his Crown
You keep fallin’ down
You really want to live but can’t get rid of your frown
You try to reach unto the heights and wound bound down on the ground
Given up your pride – then ya heard a sound
Out of night comes day and out of day comes light
(Said) nullified to the One like sunlight in a ray,
Make room for His love like a fire gone blaze,
Makin’ room for His love like a fire gone blaze,

Yup emes rocker…
when they crush you till you are in check-mate position with nowhere to run or hide, you have only one silly way out, a song!! I pity you, you can’t compete with these intellectual giants here, just run, leave this place while you still have some breath left in you….RUN!!!!

It was humor. I wish more Chassidim on this site could be as cool as my good friend Matisyahu. This seems to be a makom shel Nerds. (just kidding)

I have noticed a lack of humor from all the participants on this site. A lack of humor is actually a sign of a lack of humility. When you don’t laugh and you take everything so seriously of course you cant get into G-d. G-d loves the humble. G-d despises the arrogant. There is no room for G-d in their world.

As for a response, why should I waste my time going back and forth with people who were “formerly frum”. To me that is a pure waste of time. No one is “formerly” frum. Every Yid has a neshama that is alive and well it is just temporary buried under a klipa. Everyone wants to be in love. Everyone wants a big hug from G-d. And yes G-d loves all of you. Maybe you never heard that before but I just let you in on that.

Don’t you want to be in love?

What I do for all my brothers and sisters here is just throw out ideas and give your hungry neshamas a little snack. I am just a simple man with my head up to sky and I happen to be a big fan of the One above. I am just providing a little nourishment, a little nosh.

I know your neshamas are thirsty. I am just tryin to provide a little water in this desert of dry bones. Just droppin’ a little love on ya’ll.

Just by the fact that ya’ll are on this site and still maintaining a connection with something at least a bissel Jewish is a good sign. Its also a sign that you can never escape your neshama. Isn’t that cool!!!!! Even Frei Fem! (Frei Fly that is).

Most here are only temporarily troubled. Its a part of growing up and I salute those that question everything. Our tradition is all about questions and if you got em, keep em comin! GRAB SOME GEFILTE FISH AND ROCK ON YIDDEN!

I really have no need to fight since I have billions of Christians and Muslims as well as Jews that believe the Torah is true. Its interesting to note that when you are in the Jewish quarter of the Old city you have a Christian section, a Muslim section and a Jewish section. Only in the Jewish section will you find people who question the validity of the Torah. Its quite an irony. I call it G-ds sense of humor.

Nonetheless I am not fighting this battle alone. Besides all my friends in the non Jewish world I come armed with the following:

Moshe Rabbeinu, Yehoshua, Zekainim, Neviim, Anshei Knesses Gedola. R Akiva, Abaye, R. Gamliel, Rava, Rabbah, Hillel, Shammai, R. Asi, R Pinchas Ben Yair and all the rest of the amoraim and tannaim.

I also have a few more such as Rashi, RAN, Rashba, Rambam, Ramban, R Yosef Caro, Maharal, Kli Yakar, Malbim, Rav SR Hirsch, Chasam Sofer, Pnei Yehoshia, Reb Akiva Eiger, Sfas Emes, Baal Hatanya, Vilna Gaon, R. Chaim Volenziner, Reb Nosson Tzvi Finkel, Reb Yisroel Salanter, Chofetz Chaim, R. Elchanan Wasserman, Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rav Shach, Lubavitcher Rebbe, The Steipler, R Yaakov Kamenetsky, Rav Avigdor Miller, R Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, Rav Wosner, Rav Eliashiv etc….

If anyone here has reached the intellectual level or knowledge of anyone that I have mentioned then feel free to keep fighting this battle. However I would suggest doing something more productive with your time.

For all else I would suggest to go grab a gemara, a chumash, or any other seforim and take refreshing swim in the deep waters of Torah.

I am going to take a swim right now myself.

PEACE YA’LL!

Wishing EVERYONE LAUGHTER, SIMCHA, LOVE,
May everyone’s anger diminish and may we all dance together one day!

Bracha V hatzlocha to all the YIDDEN!
EMES ROCKER

Our tradition of questioning is like a chess game , a chess game can have 1000s of variations , and you can move “anywhere” you want, but you still have to follow the rules , your king can’t move 3 spaces at once. So even though you have the freedom to move “anywhere” in chess , that only applies when you follow the rules of the game , but if you don’t then you can’t play.
The same thing with Judaism questioning is encouraged , until you break the rules , until you question the simple answers . Once you do that you are told various things, like you don’t want to hear an answer , or when you grow older you will understand etc. The reason why they stop engaging you intellectually is because you broke the rules of questioning.
Oh and one more thing where does the halachah that your not allowed to discuss religion with other religions come into our tradition of questioning?

I forgot to put the line which I am commenting on, so here it is . “Our tradition is all about questions and if you got em, keep em comin!”