First Guest Speaker

Since we don't really have much time together this week, the blog will be our best format for a follow-up discussion based on Rabbi Brett Oxman's visit to our class yesterday.  I want to start off again by expressing my appreciation to Rabbi Oxman for taking the time to join us, and for preparing such an extensive photo slideshow and array of "artifacts" from his time in the U.S. Air Force.

What I'd like each of you to do is reflect on the stories and messages he shared with us and write a few paragraphs (2-3) about what ideas or vignettes made the biggest impression on you and why, as well as what questions you still have about his experiences or Jewish outlook that you'd like Rabbi Oxman to answer.  I will then pass those on to him so that he can have the opportunity to continue the conversation virtually.

I'll בעזרת 'ה be weighing in with some of my thoughts as well, but first I'm eager to hear what you think!  
We will do this a little differently from last time, based on your feedback: instead of writing your thoughts in the comments section, create a new blog entry of your own.  Make sure to read what your classmates post as well, and comment on at least 2 of them, stating what you agree with, disagree with, or would add to.  This assignment is due Friday, Feb. 6, before class.

*Keep in mind: Although I am not going to be grading this assignment on the basis of your English language skills, I do fully expect you to use your best writing, so that you can be sure you're communicating clearly and efficiently. That includes using proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and writing conventions (complete sentences and paragraphs, topic sentences, etc.).

**Please note: Before you post anything at all on this blog, create a Google Doc titled "JL&F Blog" and write everything there first. Then copy and paste it into the blog (this goes for all blog submissions). Occasionally people will write a lengthy response and then hit "submit", only to see it all instantly disappear. As long as you've got the original version in your Google Doc, this isn't a big problem; you can just send me your submission and I will post it for you.

ברוכות הבאות!

Welcome to the Jewish Life & Faith class blog!  This will be our virtual forum for sharing thoughts and ideas on a wide variety of topics pertaining to Judaism, as well as a place for us to ask deep and difficult questions. I know that we will all gain from hearing each other's perspectives, and I ask that you take the time and effort to produce worthwhile content.

In the past week and a half we've touched on some fundamental ideas and questions that go straight to the core of what it means to think and live as a Jew in the 21st Century. I've been greatly impressed by your contributions, and now it's time for us to put some of them in writing.

Assignment: By Monday (Feb 2nd), please write in the comments section of this post 1-2 paragraphs on some of the ideas we've discussed so far in class that spoke to you in some way--maybe because they resonated with you as being truthful, intrigued you, or even disturbed or bothered you in some way. After you have shared your thoughts, comment on 2 other classmates' responses, and tell them why you either agree with, disagree with, or would add to what they wrote.

*Keep in mind: Although I am not going to be grading this assignment on the basis of your English language skills, I do fully expect you to use your best writing, so that you can be sure you're communicating clearly and efficiently. That includes using proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and writing conventions (complete sentences and paragraphs, topic sentences, etc.).

**Please note: Before you post anything at all on this blog, create a Google Doc titled "JL&F Blog" and write everything there first. Then copy and paste it into the blog (this goes for all blog submissions). Occasionally people will write a lengthy response and then hit "submit", only to see it all instantly disappear. As long as you've got the original version in your Google Doc, this isn't a big problem; you can just send me your submission and I will post it for you.

Women and Relationships Part II

Before we begin to explore the teachings of some important and interesting Jewish thinkers on the subject of Jewish women, I'd like us to take the opportunity to put some of our own thoughts and observations in writing here on the blog.  In the comments section below, please address the following:

• What different kinds of relationships might a person have in their lifetime, and with whom? Challenge yourself to think of many varieties, and tell us a bit about what makes each one unique and important.
• What do you see as some differences between the way we approach relationships from a Torah perspective, versus a secular American perspective?
• In your opinion, how do you think men and women differ, aside from the obvious biological considerations?
• Does American society encourage these differences, or reject them? Explain your thoughts.

When you've finished writing, reply to the comments of at least 2 classmates, and specify why you either agree or disagree with what they wrote.

Women and Relationships in Jewish Thought

We are on the verge of a long, much needed break, but in order to start thinking about the subject of our final unit, today we are delving into our classroom library and exploring ideas pertaining to women and relationships in Jewish thought.

In the comments section below, please indicate which book you chose to read from, who the author is, and when it was published.  Then, answer the following questions:

1. What would you say was the general theme of the book/section that you read today?
2. Was this a topic that you felt fairly knowledgeable about to begin with, or was it something that was unfamiliar to you? Please explain.
3. Please share with us something that you read that you found particularly interesting, or thought was explained in a clear and helpful manner.
4. Did you come across any ideas in your reading that you found difficult to understand, offensive, or contradictory to what you previously had thought or heard?  Please elaborate.
5. What new questions do you have about this topic, or others?

When you have finished answering these questions (make sure to number them so that I can be sure you have answered them all in a complete fashion), reply to 2 other students' ideas.

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/beliefs/Theology/Suffering_and_Evil/Responses/Modern_Solutions/When_Bad_Things_Happen.shtml


When Bad Things Happen to Good People? Many people ask this but G-d does not want us to have pain in our lives. G-d does not cause our misfortune. Only we, bad people and our human body being mortal, and living in a world with inflexible law. We should not blame G-d for our mistakes that we have done wrong and blame him for punishing us so we would not do it again. Even if you are a great person in this world G-d does not want you to suffer in Olam Haba because he does not want us to suffer for the rest of our eternal lives. G-d does everything for a reason that no one will understand why except for him. We should take what G-d is giving us so we can become better people and we can have happiness in Olam Haba.

The bad things that happen to us is not punishment but its a road for so so we can becoming better people then what we are now. When bad things happen to us it doesn't mean that G-d is mad or doesn't like us, its just him showing us that we have done something bad and we didn't realize it.
We should be glad that G-d is pointing the bad things that we are doing because when we go to Olam Haba we won't have suffering forever and it won't ever change. We will happiness and be happy.

Why do good people suffer and wicked people succeed?

In this unit, we have encountered a variety of possible answers as to the question of צדיק ורע לו, רשע וטוב לו. Briefly, some of those ideas are stated below.  *Please use this as a review for the midterm! Make sure that you are very familiar with all of these different approaches.

• Much like a loving parent occasionally needs to cause their child moments of pain, such as during a vaccination that is intended to prevent serious illness, so too 'ה will at times cause us to experience pain or suffering in order to save us from greater eventual suffering.  (Based on the פסוק in תהלים that states "אשרי הגבר אשר תיסרנו י-ה", or "Fortunate is the man who is afflicted by G-d".)
• The same way that a loving parent will also rebuke or provide negative consequences for their child when that child has behaved improperly, in order to teach them right and wrong, so too 'ה will cause us to feel the negative consequences of our improper actions in order to help us learn from our mistakes.  (Based on the פסוק in משלי that states "כי את אשר יאהב ה' יוכיח וכאב את בן ירצה".)
• We must recognize that a) this is one of the great mysteries of life that proves the truth of the words "הנסתרות לה' אלוקינו, והנגלות לנו ולבנינו עד עולם"-"that which is hidden is only for 'ה to understand; that which is obvious is for us and our children (aka, human beings) forever"; b) the righteous will receive their reward in the Next World, rather than This one, and c) perhaps people suffer so that others will learn from their situations (e.g., from their positive attitudes or continued devotion to 'ה). (Based on the ספר חובות הלבבות.)
• A person cannot experience a perfect (defined as suffering-free) life in This World and in the Next World; at some point in their existence they will have to face the consequences of their negative actions. No one is perfect and entirely free of sin; however, it is far better to experience suffering as a consequence of sinful behavior in This World than in the Next, as This World is limited and finite, whereas the Next World is unlimited and infinite in every way. The reverse is also true--we would much rather experience reward in the Next World than in This. (Based on the מהר"ל.)
• If the world would function in a black-and-white way, in which there were immediate, on the spot consequences for our actions (whether good or bad), there would be no possibility of free will, or of acting purely "לשם שמים"-for the sake of Heaven, for the sake of doing the right thing. We would only be motivated to act out of a) fear of punishment, or b) desire for reward. 'ה wants us to be able to choose freely to act the right way because it is right. Therefore, This World must function in such a way that there appears to be no connection whatsoever between our actions and what happens to us--thus, we often see righteous people live difficult, painful lives and evil people prosper and thrive. (Based on the מלבי"ם.)
• Finally, we spoke about the idea that suffering is always an opportunity to come closer to G-d and to reach our fullest potential to achieve greatness in this life, if only we are able to learn from it and view it as something beneficial. Additionally, if we understand that This World is like a "פרוזדור", a corridor, that leads us to the "טרקלין", or banquet hall that is the Next World, and we are passionately motivated to do our absolute best in this life in order to merit the eternity of the next--then we will determinedly push on through the challenges that face us, the moments of darkness, the obstacles that stand in our way, and the twists and turns that threaten to make us lose our way. (Based on מכתב מאליהו.)

By FRIDAY, Dec. 12, please find an online source (article, blog post, video) that either discusses yet another approach to the question of צדיק ורע לו, OR elaborates on one of these approaches.  In the comments section below, write a 1-2 paragraph summary of what you learned from that source, and be sure to include a link.  Then, reply to a classmate's comment with a question or thought based on what they wrote.

צדיק ורע לו Part I

This is the first blog post of our unit on "Why Do the Righteous Suffer?".  In the comments sections below, I would like you to reflect on possible takeaways from the two articles that I shared with you via email (linked again here and here).

Based on the ideas we have discussed thus far, particularly regarding Elisha ben Avuya and his loss of faith, what might a person who heard about the murders of Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali (ה' יקום דמם-May Hashem avenge their blood) and the Har Nof massacre first conclude about the very existence or nature of G-d?  Before we began to study this subject, what would you yourself have thought? (I realize this is a very personal question, so if you are uncomfortable answering it then you are not required to do so.)  Finally, what is one answer you might begin to give to someone who was struggling with their faith in the wake of a personal or national tragedy?  This is a question that we will revisit as we learn more.

Answer the above questions in a comment below.  Then respond to at least 2 classmates' comments as well.  This is due before class on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd.