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Friday, April 19, 2013

Insight 5773-31: Context

For Achrei Mot / Kedoshim
Not yet available on the Nishma website.

Study Question

1) There are times that context and consequence applies, and times when they do not. Is there a pattern or rule that can be applied in understanding when they do apply and when they do not?

2 comments:

  1. One of the recent issues that received much press and was on my mind as I wrote this was the case of the individual who tied himself within a plastic bag on an airplane. According to reports, he was a kohain who did so because he was flying over a Jewish cemetery and thus had an issue of contracting tumah. Not being totally versed in issues of tumah and taharah, I couldn't really express an opinion on the halachic requirement per se however what hit me was the simple fact that there were differing opinions on the subject. The question thus became for me: why did he -- or better, his rav -- specifically follow the opinion that demanded the bag?

    I really don't know the answer to that question. There are many reasons why one chooses one opinion over others -- it has much to do with consequence and context as mentioned in the Insight however it also has much to do with personal understanding of the law and the direct force of the precedent opinions, with consideration for stature and number. What I specifically wondered about, though, was how the consideration for context played out? Was there a consideration of how this would look to the outside world? If there was, was the consideration that we should avoid a negative reaction or would that reaction actually be welcomed?

    There are sources that inform us that when we are acting correctly, the nations of the world will have a positive impression of us. There are also sources that inform us that, sometimes when we act correctly, the nations will look upon us as strange. I addressed this conflict in an early Spark at
    http://www.nishma.org/articles/insight/spark5753-9.htm
    and invite you to look at that. There is an issue. What I wonder about today, though, is whether there is a modern tendency, in the furtherance of one's Jewish commitment to be attracted to do things that the world sees as strange? Or, in looking at context, is there a desire rather to try and be perceived as "wise and understanding." How was context dealt with in the case of this bag? I have a feeling that the former perspective -- that I am more Jewish when I do something that others perceive as weird -- is gaining a stronger foothold in our consciousness.

    Rabbi Ben Hecht

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  2. Not long ago I experienced a good example of this, when, alone on a train station, I saw a
    woman trying to climb a long staircase with a baby in a pushchair and a load of shopping.
    She was attempting to climb the stairs and I saw immediately she was in danger of falling over with the child in the pram thereby potentially injuring herself and the baby.

    As there was no one else around, I offered assistance and went on my way. I mentioned this incident to my teacher who was concerned regarding the halacha, but since there was no one else to assist and I felt it would put HaShem in a very bad light if as a result of my not helping both she and the child were injured, I felt I had done the right thing. Others would argue that I should not have
    assisted. I would be interested to know your thoughts on this one.

    No it did not involve any touching of any kind, simply lifting the front of the pram. However, I am aware that many of the strict Orthodox in the area in which I study are extremely sensitive to anything that could be misinterpreted. For example, outside the house, I would not even be permitted to acknowledge any female including my teachers wife, whom I know quite well.

    This is a very different world from the tow
    where I come from, where I know and acknowledge women from my work, university days etc. Yet I have to admit, the strict segregation does simplify things and prevent potential 'complications'. Yet, it can also give rise to a perception of being very unloving and unconcerned by outsiders.

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