Q&A: Now There Are Already 3 Questions
Now There Are Already 3 Questions
Question
Good evening, Michi
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As a result of this conversation, a few questions came to mind. At first I thought Id skip the first one Ill present now, but I decided that still:
1] What is your opinion about the story of the creation of the world? I have no problem at all with the term day, but how does this myth fit with science regarding the order of creationthat vegetation was created before the sun?
2] It seems to me that Ive already presented my position on the subject, but pleasewhat is your view regarding the commandments in which we are commanded to love? Is it possible to compel an emotion, or in your understanding does the meaning of love in the context of a commandment have nothing to do with the hormone oxytocin?
3] And still on the commandment to love: You shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I looked for interpretations of this matter, and all I found was in the context of righteous converts. What do you have to contribute to clarifying this topic? All the best, and have a pleasant evening
Answer
Hello A'.
1] If its possible to create plants ex nihilo, then its no big deal for the Holy One, blessed be He, to sustain them without a sun. In general, I tend to think that what we have there is not a historical-factual account but an educational myth.
2] In my opinion, there is no commandment to love in the emotional sense. I wrote an article about emotions in Jewish law, and there I examined the topic in depth. See here:
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%9E%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%90%D7%A4%D7%9C%D7%98%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%9C%D7%A8%D7%92%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%94/
So indeed, this isnt about the hormone oxytocin.
3] Indeed, the plain meaning of the Torah is talking about a resident stranger (a non-Jew who lives among us), but the Sages applied it to righteous converts. According to this, the comparison to our stay in Egypt is unclear. After all, we didnt become Egyptian there; we simply lived there. I just thought about this now, and it seems to me that what emerges from here is that the obligation to love the stranger really does apply to any outsider who lives among us, whether a resident stranger or a righteous convert. But if he is a non-Jew (a resident stranger), then there is a problem with loving him, lest we become attached to his ways and come to marry him and his daughters. Therefore, even though he is a stranger, the Torah does not require that we love him (only that we treat him properly). And from here it follows that what remains is only the obligation to love righteous converts. But there is still a practical implication to the interpretation I suggested, because according to it, the obligation to love righteous converts is not because they converted (as is usually understood), but because they are unfortunate people living away from the places of their childhood and family (a kind of exile). The fact that they converted only removes the reason we might have had to cancel the obligation to love them.
I hope you followed this Talmudic pilpul.
How are you feeling?
A', nice questions,
1] What is your opinion about the story of the creation of the world? I have no problem at all with the term day, but how does this myth fit with science regarding the order of creation that vegetation was created before the sun?
1. Thats the whole greatness, brotherwere talking about creation here, understand? So it doesnt matter what needs what, but in nature nothing can be lacking. And here youre asking how the plants stood without the sun? To teach you that the plants arent really connected to the sun but to the Creator. But on the other hand, brother, on every day there was light just as there was from the first day until the fourth, before the creation of the luminaries, because it says, And there was evening and there was morning. That means that for there to be morning, there has to be light. What light was there if there was no sun? And God said: Let there be light! Even without the sun. So too the plants stood without a sun, but they stood from that light!
2] It seems to me that Ive already presented my position on the subject, but pleasewhat is your view regarding the commandments in which we are commanded to love? Is it possible to compel an emotion, or in your understanding does the meaning of love in the context of a commandment have nothing to do with the hormone oxytocin.
2. Love is caring for another person. Not turning a blind eye to other peoples troubles. Being concerned for humanity. Not being cruel even to animals. And there is spiritual love, like You shall love the Lord your God what does that mean? To give Him what He wants. What does He want? That we should love: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Caring.
If we dont lovewell hate, if we hatewell simply die. Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth… with the seed of lovers.
3] And still on the commandment to love You shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I looked for interpretations of this matter, and all I found was in the context of righteous converts. What do you have to contribute to clarifying this topic?
3. This is really part of You shall love your neighbor as yourself ! Why does it say, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt ? Because they are all My childrenI care for everyone, and so should you. Just as I cared for you when you were strangers enslaved in Egypt. And he sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a great, mighty, and numerous nation. God is basically telling us: take care of the weak… And this love is care and help and concern for the other. Love is the best medicine, because love pays and pays offlove brings peace! Love is the murderer of hatred. So also someone who hates, and someone who has the blood of a murderer, should use this tool called love and murder the hatred in his heart. And kill his evil inclination every time… How? Be a good person, helpful and caring, who loves and doesnt hate! Its healthy for the soul!