העורך Editor

Q&A About the Euthyphro Dilemma (Rewritten)

A Dear Reader:
How do we understand the following statement of Avraham Avinu: השופט כל-הארץ, לא יעשה משפט? Isn’t Hashem the cause and source of the definition of משפט, and/or of how He is “supposed” to run the world?
Hyehudi.org Editor:
First of all, let’s make it easier to research the question. This is known as the Euthyphro Dilemma; Google it.

Second, as loyal Jews, we need to focus on our practical obligations (including the mitzvos of thought), and not the “Truth”. This may well be the kind of question Mishna Chagigah 2:1 forbids contemplating. As the saying in Yeshiva goes: “One does not die from a difficulty”.

Although the mind cannot escape certain conundrums, one must axiomatically admit the alternate half of the paradox that will best enable observance of all other mitzvos, as these paradoxes occur to us. (Rabbi Nachman of Breslov would apply here the Kabbalistic idea of “Mati velo mati”.)

For example, as regards Rambam Hilchos Teshuvah 5:5, one should ordinarily accept the outlook humanity has perfectly free will (sort of). As regards the Euthyphro dilemma, one should usually accept Hashem created ethics (so it is only “arbitrary” for Him), and interpret sources such as Avraham’s prayer for Sedom accordingly. Similarly, one should generally assume Hashem wrote the Torah (although certain syllogisms and sources imply the Torah has existed since forever, instead). And so on.

(For a related discussion, check out the “Practical Guide to Speaking with an Atheist“.)

Do Sheitels Still Have an Avoda Zara Problem? 3 Books Address the Issue

All on Hyehudi.org…

I recommend you study them in the above order and come to your own conclusions.

(And then there is the question of whether such a hair-covering is even halachically effective for a married woman in Reshus Harabim at all. For that one, read this: קונטרס בענין כיסוי השיער.)

 

מיסים ורווחה: חשאי וקולי קולות

ברכות ט”ו ב’:

ואמר רבי טבי אמר רבי יאשיה מאי דכתיב שלש הנה לא תשבענה שאול ועוצר רחם וכי מה ענין שאול אצל רחם אלא לומר לך מה רחם מכניס ומוציא אף שאול מכניס ומוציא והלא דברים קל וחומר ומה רחם שמכניסין בו בחשאי מוציאין ממנו בקולי קולות שאול שמכניסין בו בקולי קולות אינו דין שמוציאין ממנו בקולי קולות מכאן תשובה לאומרים אין תחיית המתים מן התורה.

מיסים לוקחין בחשאי; מע”מ, מס הכנסה, מס רכישה ומס שבח, אינפלציה, ו”רווחה” נותנים בקולי קולות…

Hyehudi Stoops to Scaremongering for Aliyah from America

Forget all the positive reasons. Following are my scare-tactics:

  1. There was an ominous “test balloon” a few years back; a successful cyber attack on a small water utility company in Illinois. Since then, no one has been accused or caught, not even the Russians. And nothing has been done. Imagine the possibilities…
  2. The military is allowed to detain US terrorist suspects without trial. See more on Wikipedia.
  3. For more, see this on the Washington Post.