RE: [TruthTalk] Avram & Yosef

[ShieldsFamily]

I prefer small nibbles to large chunks myself.  Izzy   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gregory A. Hession J.D. Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 2:29 PM To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Avram & Yosef   Thank you.  I see your point - We shouldn't bite and devour each other politely and spiritually or coarsely and profanely.      Gregory A. Hession J.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Springfield, Mass. ----- Original Message ----- From: Debbie Sawczak To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 3:38 PM Subject: RE: [TruthTalk] Avram & Yosef   -----Original Message----- From: Gregory A. Hession J.D. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 1:59 PM To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Avram & Yosef [Gregory] Explain, please! [Debbie]  In the hypothetical Rebbe's assumed "sacred vs profane" paradigm, if your purpose is a sacred one--studying the Torah--it can be polluted by profane things like smoking. But if your purpose is smoking, which is OK in the sphere of the profane, adding Torah-study can't do it any harm, and may even elevate it. The point is it doesn't make sense, of course, as the resulting combined activity is actually the same in each case.    Now I've probably rubbed the fuzz off the butterfly wing and killed it. (Or I may even be way off base.) Maybe the intended application in the current context was that we shouldn't think we have to talk "nicer" than we otherwise would, just because we're talking about "spiritual things"--? (Guessing.)   I think the issue isn't whether this or that piece of vocab is OK, but whether it's our role to stand in judgment over each other. We could be just as judgmental with politer words, of course. But if we do bite and devour one another, let us take heed lest we be consumed by one another.          Gregory A. Hession J.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] Springfield, Mass. ----- Original Message ----- From: Slade Henson To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org Sent: Sunday, January 16, 2005 11:34 AM Subject: [TruthTalk] Avram & Yosef   Avram and Yosef, Yeshiva* students, were debating whether one is allowed to smoke while learning Torah. They went to the Rebbe** for a decision.   Avram asked, "Rebbe, is it permitted to smoke while learning Torah***?"   "Certainly not!" Said the Rebbe, outraged.   Yosef then addressed him. "Rebbe, let me ask you this. May we learn Torah while we smoke?"   The Rabbi immediately replied with a warm smile. "Of course!"     ---------------------------------------------------     *A Yeshiva is a Jewish Seminary **A Rebbe is an endearing title for a great, beloved teacher ***Torah is the five book of Moses -- the first five books of the Bible