Purposeful values
Hello Rabbi, I wanted to ask how values can be prioritized, so that in the event of a conflict we can decide how to proceed. I assume the answer to this must be long and complex, so I would be happy to at least provide a glimpse into the answer.
In particular, I ask the question from a ‘religious’ position, in which I assume that the highest value (I would be happy to be corrected if the expression is incorrect in this context) is the observance and study of Torah, the observance of mitzvot and the observance of the law. And my intention is to ask, against this background, where those values derive their importance.
Another question that I think is relevant is the attitude towards everyday things, things that do not raise or lower in terms of ‘purpose’. I know that there are methods that believe that there is no such field (Hohal), and there are those that believe that there is (Ravd, I think). On the side that there really are neutral things, is there legitimacy to engage in them when they waste the time that could be spent on purposeful things.
I should point out that I mean engaging in them not for peace of mind or to learn well, etc., but because it interests me, etc., even though the service of God in the narrow sense will not be harmed at all if I do not engage in them.
Thank you very much.
Not exactly long. There’s no way to do it systematically. It’s mainly a moral feeling. When it’s possible to do it systematically, it’s only if it’s not about values but about instrumental norms.
The second question concerns the laws of Talmud Torah study. As a result of the contradiction between the issue of minchot tzet and berachot regarding the dispute between the Rishon and Rashbi, the latter stated several limitations on the reasons that justify the cancellation of Torah. My opinion is that any reasonable activity justifies the cancellation of Torah. And certainly if you are engaged in things of value (such as studying various secular subjects). Of course, it is appropriate to engage in things of value as much as you can, but a person is supposed to live a normal life, including education, reasonable amounts of entertainment, and the like. I emphasize that I do not mean activities that aim to improve study and mitzvot, but rather these activities in their own right.
Thank you very much for the answer, but I would be happy to expand a little. I don't understand why a person is supposed to live normally from the very beginning, why this thing is given validity and value. In a simple concept, we are in the world for a certain purpose, and entertainment and the like (when they don't come to give rest but from their own side, as above) somehow don't contribute to that.
And what is the meaning of 'instrumental norms'?
See my article on explanations for some details:
https://mikyab.net/%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%A1%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%9F-%D7%94%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%99
Reish Lakish before his death wept over The moral explanations are that he wasted time to make money, and therefore in retrospect it turned out that it was a waste of time. But it is clear that the simple fact is that we live here to live, enjoy and have fun, do valuable things, rest, and so on. Of course, one should try to increase the component of engaging in values, but there is no claim against those who do not do so as long as it is done in a reasonable dose. No Torah was given to the ministering angels.
This can be anchored in other sources (ostensibly this is the dispute over the excuses in the Yom Kippur regarding a person who rejects Shabbat, whether life is a means to the mitzvot - one Sabbath was violated on him so that he would keep many Shabbats, or the opposite - living in them and not dying in them).
If you want to think about it, there is an argument that God created the world to be good. What is the benefit? That we do mitzvot? The mitzvot are the way to live correctly. The benefit is life itself (including the pleasures).
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