Volume 42: Number 63
Tue, 17 Sep 2024
Subjects Discussed In This Issue:
Message: 1
From: Joel Rich
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2024 20:36:12 -0400
Subject: [Avodah] Kamtza /Bar Kamtza:
Response to a piece on Kamtza /Bar Kamtza:
The interesting question to me is whether there is self-awareness. If
your analysis of R. Zechariah b. Avkulas is correct, was he aware of the
deeper personality issue (paralysis of inappropriate humility) or did he
convince himself that the reasons he gave for his inaction(Offering up a
blemished animal could lead future generations to say that this is
permitted, and killing Bar Kamta could lead to a belief that blemishing a
sacrificial animal is punishable by death) were his true drivers, I would
suspect that it?s the former and, if so, wonder how you convince anybody to
step outside themselves and realize that they are rationalization a deeper
personality issue. This is especially true for leaders who are put on a
pedestal IMHO. Thoughts?
KVCT and Bsorot Tovot
Joel Rich
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Message: 2
From: Joel Rich
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2024 20:40:09 -0400
Subject: [Avodah] Pirkei Avot chapter 2 mishna 9
In Pirkei Avot chapter 2 mishna 9 the question is raised as to what is the
most important characteristic that one can attach to. Rabbi Simon says that
it?s the ability to foresee the results of your current actions.
Rabbeinu Yona explains that the reason that this is so important is that
when one sees the eventual reward and punishment for each of their acts
they will never sin. I would add that if one takes this seriously then not
only will they never sin, but they will organize their activities so as to
maximize the master of the universe's satisfaction with their actions..
I?d also add that if this is so obvious why do people sin? I would submit
that it may be related to what behavioral economists refer to as hyperbolic
discounting where people give more weight to rewards or costs that are
closer in the present than those that are farther in the future. (i.e.
they?ll take a dollar today rather than $1000 in a year from now.) or is it
that we don't fully believe in reward and punishment? Thoughts?
KVCT and Bsorot Tovot
Joel Rich
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