According to the logic of reading the first Perek of Bereishit in simple terms only, I can also read “ the Hand of HaShem, the Outstretched Arm , the Mighty Hand “‘literally too. And the Rambam didn’t think much of those who read those statements literally. Hilchot Teshuva Perek 3.
And the Rambam seemed quite motivated to give a vivid description of Aristotle’s structure of the Universe in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah as a prerequisite for Ahavat HaShem by understanding the nature of Creation . That is far beyond the simple text of Bereishit . THAT simple text was written for children to have a basic grasp of the Divinity of Nature-Ramban in his Derasha “ Torat HaShem Temima”.
"The charedi refusal to accept the existence of the dinosaur eras or even address the challenge that dinosaurs raise is all part of their approach of intense isolation."
That may be true, but I think the more salient connection is their willingness to posit miracles as explanations to paper over any inconsistencies in their worldview. If that's correct, then explaining why modern science should be accepted *would* help solve this bigger problem (to the extent that they accept the explanation, which is highly dubious in itself).
Going off on a tangent, the bipolar (3x) bear reminded me of George Carlin doing a bit on Mongolia, which has Inner M and Outer M, each of which has an inner and outer. So, Mongolia is comprised of Inner Inner M, Inner Outer M, Outer Inner M and Outer Outer M. Imagine the road signs :)
Re "Ever since October 7th, it all seems so trivial."
Reminds me of the following quote from William Shatner, Star Trek actor and space enthusiast, upon actually going to space at age 90:
"when I looked in the opposite direction, into space, there was no mystery, no majestic awe to behold . . . all I saw was death. I saw a cold, dark, black emptiness. It was unlike any blackness you can see or feel on Earth. It was deep, enveloping, all-encompassing. I turned back toward the light of home. I could see the curvature of Earth, the beige of the desert, the white of the clouds and the blue of the sky. It was life. Nurturing, sustaining, life. Mother Earth. Gaia. And I was leaving her. ... It was among the strongest feelings of grief I have ever encountered. The contrast between the vicious coldness of space and the warm nurturing of Earth below filled me with overwhelming sadness."
In the end, it is human beings and human lives (and on a much lower level, animal lives), and the ideas and values which improve human life, which matter. Everything else in the world is trivial.
That's why constantly focusing on the otherworldly/supernatural can be so harmful. I think some people need to be reminded that it was Hashem, not the "yetzer hara", who created planet Earth, and placed us into it to thrive.
>"The charedi refusal to accept the existence of the dinosaur eras or even address the challenge that dinosaurs raise is all part of their approach of intense isolation."
I don't think that's true. You had it right the first time: it's due to their non-scientific and non-rationalist belief system. This is tangential to being isolationist. For example, a significant percentage of Americans don't belief in evolution. This is due to their fundamentalist Christian background and non-scientific beliefs
When you give your presentation on the "art of the Ark", do you explain that the entire Flood story is impossible? Or do you assume your audience knows it's impossible? Or do you assume they think it's true, and you don't challenge their childish beliefs?
Oh, I forgot to add: What do you call a dinosaur that believes in its own existence? An Apikorusaurus.
Hairatick!
and what do you call a very rich dinosaur? George Sorous!
According to the logic of reading the first Perek of Bereishit in simple terms only, I can also read “ the Hand of HaShem, the Outstretched Arm , the Mighty Hand “‘literally too. And the Rambam didn’t think much of those who read those statements literally. Hilchot Teshuva Perek 3.
And the Rambam seemed quite motivated to give a vivid description of Aristotle’s structure of the Universe in Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah as a prerequisite for Ahavat HaShem by understanding the nature of Creation . That is far beyond the simple text of Bereishit . THAT simple text was written for children to have a basic grasp of the Divinity of Nature-Ramban in his Derasha “ Torat HaShem Temima”.
"The charedi refusal to accept the existence of the dinosaur eras or even address the challenge that dinosaurs raise is all part of their approach of intense isolation."
That may be true, but I think the more salient connection is their willingness to posit miracles as explanations to paper over any inconsistencies in their worldview. If that's correct, then explaining why modern science should be accepted *would* help solve this bigger problem (to the extent that they accept the explanation, which is highly dubious in itself).
Franz Rosenzweig, arguably the ideological grandfather of Bar Ilan Univeristy, also saw the Jews as living outside of history.
I don't think that you can compare that to the idea of charedim not having civic duties.
If you believe that only Charedim obey God's will, and
צדיקים מלאכתם נעשית בידי אחרים
you can get there fairly easily.
Going off on a tangent, the bipolar (3x) bear reminded me of George Carlin doing a bit on Mongolia, which has Inner M and Outer M, each of which has an inner and outer. So, Mongolia is comprised of Inner Inner M, Inner Outer M, Outer Inner M and Outer Outer M. Imagine the road signs :)
I didn’t realize it was you against the 36 gedoilim, the Lamed Vavniks…😜😜😜
Actually, Rav Elyashiv said that *I* could be one of the Lamed Vav tzadikim!
Your greatness is not a secret. It’s well known to us all….
Re "Ever since October 7th, it all seems so trivial."
Reminds me of the following quote from William Shatner, Star Trek actor and space enthusiast, upon actually going to space at age 90:
"when I looked in the opposite direction, into space, there was no mystery, no majestic awe to behold . . . all I saw was death. I saw a cold, dark, black emptiness. It was unlike any blackness you can see or feel on Earth. It was deep, enveloping, all-encompassing. I turned back toward the light of home. I could see the curvature of Earth, the beige of the desert, the white of the clouds and the blue of the sky. It was life. Nurturing, sustaining, life. Mother Earth. Gaia. And I was leaving her. ... It was among the strongest feelings of grief I have ever encountered. The contrast between the vicious coldness of space and the warm nurturing of Earth below filled me with overwhelming sadness."
In the end, it is human beings and human lives (and on a much lower level, animal lives), and the ideas and values which improve human life, which matter. Everything else in the world is trivial.
That's why constantly focusing on the otherworldly/supernatural can be so harmful. I think some people need to be reminded that it was Hashem, not the "yetzer hara", who created planet Earth, and placed us into it to thrive.
>"The charedi refusal to accept the existence of the dinosaur eras or even address the challenge that dinosaurs raise is all part of their approach of intense isolation."
I don't think that's true. You had it right the first time: it's due to their non-scientific and non-rationalist belief system. This is tangential to being isolationist. For example, a significant percentage of Americans don't belief in evolution. This is due to their fundamentalist Christian background and non-scientific beliefs
But read my post contrasting the Christian approach with the charedi approach. That's why I think it's primarily due to isolationism.
When you give your presentation on the "art of the Ark", do you explain that the entire Flood story is impossible? Or do you assume your audience knows it's impossible? Or do you assume they think it's true, and you don't challenge their childish beliefs?
It's about the Art of the Ark, not anything else.
So it's about the Art of the Ark, but not the Ark. Interesting line you walk.