en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/5073783 Comments by epikoros http://forward.com/articles/218731/does-switch-really-make-it-kosher-to-turnlights-on/#IDComment964816080 Ref "a coil on a lamp is a fire", if you're into splitting hairs, maybe that is true. But it can't be any where as bad as using a Shabbos Goy, which is a slap in the face to God, Torah, Judaism and Gentiles. Fri, 17 Apr 2015 15:53:39 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218731/does-switch-really-make-it-kosher-to-turnlights-on/#IDComment964816080 http://forward.com/articles/218731/does-switch-really-make-it-kosher-to-turnlights-on/#IDComment964815841 Ref "In my opinion that the unchanging nature of orthodox culture that is completely responsible for the Jewish people existing as a people today" My opinion is that what kept us united is anti-Semitism. Religiosity convinced many to jump ship. Fri, 17 Apr 2015 15:52:23 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218731/does-switch-really-make-it-kosher-to-turnlights-on/#IDComment964815841 http://forward.com/articles/218523/americas-not--yet-so-why-cant-i-refuse-to-ba/#IDComment964137611 I appreciate the support, thank you. Tue, 14 Apr 2015 21:31:12 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218523/americas-not--yet-so-why-cant-i-refuse-to-ba/#IDComment964137611 http://forward.com/articles/218574/president-obama-holds-emotional-meeting-with-jewis/#IDComment964137240 He provided Israel with more ammo during the Gazan incursion. Obama's record on Israel is as good as it gets. Tue, 14 Apr 2015 21:28:56 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218574/president-obama-holds-emotional-meeting-with-jewis/#IDComment964137240 http://forward.com/articles/218523/americas-not--yet-so-why-cant-i-refuse-to-ba/#IDComment964111949 Did you mean your comment as a reply to mine? If so, I don't understand what you mean. Tue, 14 Apr 2015 19:10:59 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218523/americas-not--yet-so-why-cant-i-refuse-to-ba/#IDComment964111949 http://forward.com/articles/218563/robert-f-kennedy-jr-calls-mandatory-vaccines-holoc/#IDComment964074206 Ref "there are excesses of rhetoric which not only cheapen your argument but totally undercut your credibility, regardless of your position and regardless of the issue....is a way to take most debates to levels they need not go" Well said. But then ref "...but then the Kennedys have long since suffered from a wasting gene pool and an expiration date long passed" Why not take your own advice?? By making that closing statement you defeat your own position. Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:34:17 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218563/robert-f-kennedy-jr-calls-mandatory-vaccines-holoc/#IDComment964074206 http://forward.com/articles/218574/president-obama-holds-emotional-meeting-with-jewis/#IDComment964072918 Bibi has a proven track record of being wrong on key issues and of having a despicable character. For example, he encouraged the U.S. to attack Iraq saying it would have a liberating effect on the entire area, instead, its become hell on earth; In the mid-1990's, Bibi was claiming that Iran is within a year or so of having nukes, wrong again. And as to his character: Former PM of France Sarkozy told Obama, "I'm sick and tired of Netanyahu's lies." And as for Obama's track record, Richard Schwartz summed it up best: “Israeli strategic experts agree that strategic cooperation between the US and Israel has never been better; the US has supplied funding for the “Iron Dome” missile defense system that has saved many Israeli lives; the Obama administration has consistently backed Israel at the UN and helped prevent a declaration of a Palestinian State by the UN, an effort that led Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to declare that Obama deserved a “badge of honor;” Obama has supported Israel with regard to the Goldstone report and the Gaza flotilla events; Obama helped save six Israelis who were trapped in the Israeli embassy in Cairo, in response to a frantic, middle-of-the night call from Netanyahu. Obama recognizes that, while it will be difficult to obtain, Israel needs a resolution of its conflict with the Palestinians in order to avert renewed conflict and increased diplomatic criticism and isolation, respond to her economic, environmental, and other domestic problems, and remain a Jewish and a democratic state. Domestically, many of Obama’s advisors are Jews, two of his chiefs of staff were Jews, one of his two Supreme Court appointments is a Jew, and his appointee as Chair of the Federal Reserve System is a Jew as is his Secretary of the Treasury (Orthodox Jew Jack Lew). Obama is also the only president to have Passover seders in the White House. “ Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:26:42 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218574/president-obama-holds-emotional-meeting-with-jewis/#IDComment964072918 http://forward.com/articles/218523/americas-not--yet-so-why-cant-i-refuse-to-ba/#IDComment964070438 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned businesses from discrimination. It was challenged and the Supreme Court ruled that the gov't has standing based on the commerce clause. Sounds weak to me. People, though not government, should be free to discriminate for any reason. I don't think it would make our country better, it's just one of the disadvantages or advantage, depending on your point of view, of liberty. I'd rather see a sign on a store that says "No Jews" than have an anti-Semite profit from my purchase because without that sign, I probably wouldn't know that he hates Jews. Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:11:39 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218523/americas-not--yet-so-why-cant-i-refuse-to-ba/#IDComment964070438 http://forward.com/articles/218416/are-american-jews-too-loyal-to-the-democrats/#IDComment964065062 Ref " the "Jewish vote" means very little in national politics": The real concern is not the Jewish vote but Jewish money, i.e. political donations. Tue, 14 Apr 2015 14:39:48 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218416/are-american-jews-too-loyal-to-the-democrats/#IDComment964065062 http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/218286/#IDComment963672074 Siavosh Derakhti is a role model for Jews as well. Sun, 12 Apr 2015 20:47:00 +0000 http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/218286/#IDComment963672074 http://forward.com/articles/218410/stop-worrying-about-your-non-existent-grandchildre/#IDComment963670584 The kids might decide to adopt Judaism but if they do, will Jews adopt them? You won't nor those who falsely claim to have a monopoly on what God wants. But if it's up to the Torah, those kids will be as good as gold. Sun, 12 Apr 2015 20:37:06 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218410/stop-worrying-about-your-non-existent-grandchildre/#IDComment963670584 http://forward.com/articles/217842/the-tangled-web-of-the-middle-east/#IDComment962328584 I got a kick out of your comparison between Bibi and Palin, funny. I saw your update on the other thread about Rav Amital, thank you. Mon, 6 Apr 2015 17:47:47 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217842/the-tangled-web-of-the-middle-east/#IDComment962328584 http://forward.com/articles/218071/watch-bosnian-soccer-fans-chant-kill-the-jews/#IDComment962156348 Hey Daniel, I appreciate your support, thank you. I've read and loved Shavit's My Promised Land. I haven't read anything by Peter Beinart but I'm familiar with his positions. I never heard of R. Amital but your comment interests me and I've made note of his book; However, I have 40 books on my book list and doubt I'll get around to it anytime soon. Thank you, though. Chag Semeach! Sun, 5 Apr 2015 19:59:39 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218071/watch-bosnian-soccer-fans-chant-kill-the-jews/#IDComment962156348 http://forward.com/articles/218071/watch-bosnian-soccer-fans-chant-kill-the-jews/#IDComment962132982 We have to be honest. Because some Jews are among the scum of the earth does not mean we have the liberty of disowning them. The same is true for Muslims who claim that ISIS or other Arab terrorists are not Muslim, of course they are. It's each society's obligation to do what it can to 'rebuke your neighbor' and bring them back into the fold with regard to ethical values. Sun, 5 Apr 2015 17:22:20 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/218071/watch-bosnian-soccer-fans-chant-kill-the-jews/#IDComment962132982 http://forward.com/#IDComment961905845 Ref 'lack of self criticism': What is there to criticize? This thread is about Jewish identity and I relate to my Jewish identity hook, line and sinker. Ref "All my jokes are old, sorry. I could quote the Tanakh next time, but that is even older." Jokes need to be new to get the laugh. Jokes are not funny the second time around. On the other hand, ethics and morality have to withstand the test of time so citing the Tanach is still relevant. Ref "Your insistence that the help of Israelis is needed in order to learn Hebrew is quite puzzling" Language is very nuanced so we need to learn from those who speak the language in order to incorporate expressions, accents, usage, etc...Will you toss your hat into the ring as an instructor? I've got a gut feeling that you've got the talent and the skill. Are you willing to adhere to the kibbutznik's dream, 'From each according to their ability, to each according to his need'? Sat, 4 Apr 2015 15:06:25 +0000 http://forward.com/#IDComment961905845 http://blogs.forward.com/the-shmooze/218002/#IDComment961900546 This phony sale is a slap in the face to God and Torah. It doesn't matter if it was Hillel's loophole or some other respected rabbanim. Chametz should be donated to the poor among the Gentile outside the country. Sat, 4 Apr 2015 14:35:16 +0000 http://blogs.forward.com/the-shmooze/218002/#IDComment961900546 http://forward.com/#IDComment961897702 I didn't say there is no real crisis in American Jewry. I said what I see as the crisis in American Jewry is different than what you see as a crisis. Let's face it, to you the crisis is that American Jewry exists. You want us all to make aliyah and I'm glad you want us. But we don't even speak the language as much as I try to learn it. If Israelis want us there, they should at least help us speak the lingo. BTW, you cite a very old joke. You need new material. Sat, 4 Apr 2015 14:14:16 +0000 http://forward.com/#IDComment961897702 http://forward.com/articles/217560/when-papas-seder-is-a-turn-off/#IDComment961896712 Thank you for your support, Jeff. Chag Semeach! Sat, 4 Apr 2015 14:06:36 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217560/when-papas-seder-is-a-turn-off/#IDComment961896712 http://forward.com/articles/217353/inside-a-modern-american-seder/#IDComment961751653 Most rabbinic law violates the Torah's command 'you shall not add or delete laws' Deut 4:2 Do not add to the word which I command you, nor diminish from it, to observe the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. That means no 'fence' around the Torah. By any chance, did you do the phony sale of your chametz? That slaps God and Torah in the face. It's better to study and interpret the Torah incorrectly than to blindly follow the rules of man. Regarding diversity in interpretation, we have that already. God says the reason we were exiled is because we didn't celebrate Him with joy Deut 28:47 The mission of the rabbanim from day one has been to squeeze all pleasure out of life. Fri, 3 Apr 2015 20:12:30 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217353/inside-a-modern-american-seder/#IDComment961751653 http://forward.com/articles/217353/inside-a-modern-american-seder/#IDComment961707791 The rabbis took a good idea, the Greek symposium, and incorporated it into Judaism. That is fine, I'm all for learning from other cultures. And I'm in favor of learning from the rabbis as well. I'm opposed to worshiping them. And you can swear from now until the cows come home that we don't worship our sages and/or rabbanim but my experience tells me otherwise; Whether it's Rabbi Luria prostrating himself on the graves of past sages to gain their insight or claiming Rabbi Schneerson as the messiah, there is plenty in between. I will be leading the seder with respect for God, Torah, the Jewish people and humanity. I guess my skepticism towards the rabbanim will surface and I'll try to express it respectfully but I admit, it's a challenge. Fri, 3 Apr 2015 15:45:01 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217353/inside-a-modern-american-seder/#IDComment961707791