I haven't even started with what Tuning Spork had to say, and now Stephen Macklin has weighed in. I'll just keep on with my thoughts about what Rachel Ann had to say, and go from there.
Rachel espoused the explicit nature of Talmudic Law, and went on to ask:
Is it a subjective thing?In my opinion, Yes. Everything is relative. The fact that the Rabbi's have undertaken to create a ruling for any given situation is quite a noble effort, but I think it's something that can never be completed. In attempting to predefine the rules to every situation, they created many situations where laws are applied to a particular happenstance where they don't necessarily apply, thereby doing wrong to the people involved. This type of thing will happen whenever an absolute is determined. As I've stated, I don't think there aren't any Black and White situations, it's not that simple, but it certainly is a lot easier to live life when you can force a particular shade of gray into a definite Black or White. I think that looking at each situation unto itself is a more honest approach, but it is not a very practical one. There is no dearth of ignorant people out there who are unable to reason out what we've been discussing on their own. "Because God wills it" seems to be the only thing that works to get these people to behave. I liken it to telling your child "Because I said so!" when they are balking at your decision of when their bed-time should be.
I know how it works, and I understand why it works, but I don't have to like it.
I've got to go put in a new linoleum floor in my roommate's sister's kitchen, so I'll pick this up again later this afternoon.
Posted by Johnny - Oh at May 29, 2005 10:52 AMHmmm. Well, there sure is a lot to chew on here, eh?
I think I'll draw an analogy between religion and government. Yeah, that's the ticket...
Keep in mind the principle of the rule of Law, not of men -- our ideal that only the People's law, not a tyrant's fiat, is legitimate.
Rabbinical study is, I think, much like judicial study. And Talmudic Law is much like case law, or, common law (court created law). Rabbis study the Torah and apply God's laws to new situations much like courts apply written legislation to new and unforeseen circumstances.
Let's say a case is brought before a court that asks if B is protected by C. The judge(s) look at the law and see that it is written that A is equal to B, and that A is protected by C. They then conclude that B is also protected by C, even though it is not specifically written in the law.
The difference, of course, is that in case law the law is written by the People through their representatives while in relgion the law is written by God.
Perhaps the truest test of a religious leadership is their respect for differing interpretations and their humblement (word?) before God. In other words, if we believe that it's self-evident that we are created by the Author with a Right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and a Right freely exercize our own relgion, then doesn't that preclude a church or tribunal from imposing it's own interpretation on others?
In short: Religious tyranny is unGodly!
Posted by: Tuning Spork at May 29, 2005 06:23 PMThis is fun. More, please! :)
Posted by: Tuning Spork at May 29, 2005 08:49 PMGlad you are liking it, TS. Hell, I'm having a blast with it myself.
New Rule: We the "Pajama Clad" have caveat and cart blanch on the creation of new words in the blogosphere. "Humblement"? If it wasn't a word before, then by George it is now!
New post is on the way!
Posted by: Johnny - Oh at May 29, 2005 09:16 PM