Tuesday 24 May 2011

naomi's question of the day - #11

"naomi's question of the day" is a new feature of the Nishmablog featuring a question for you to ponder, extend and/or respond to through your comments.

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May , 2011

If we are aware that learning Torah will make us better able to serve God, and we choose to be involved in professions and lives that create parameters that limit our ability to learn, how can we not feel deprived?

How can we be okay with our decision?

Furthermore, how are we supposed to fulfill our known obligation to be Torah-observant if we don't have adequate knowledge?

2 comments:

Garnel Ironheart said...

>If we are aware that learning Torah will make us better able to serve God,

Who says we're aware? Maybe we're just doing it by rote because we were told to by some imposing and angry high school rebbe?

> and we choose to be involved in professions and lives that create parameters that limit our ability to learn, how can we not feel deprived?

Because by working we can afford internet access which allows us to listen to shiurim on Jewtube(TM) instead of making the effort to look at the sources ourselves!

> How can we be okay with our decision?

Using the Stuart Smalley method.

> Furthermore, how are we supposed to fulfill our known obligation to be Torah-observant if we don't have adequate knowledge?

Because life is a cat and mouse game and we're the mice.

Nishma said...

"If we are aware that learning Torah will make us better able to serve God, and we choose to be involved in professions and lives that create parameters that limit our ability to learn, how can we not feel deprived?

How can we be okay with our decision?"

RRW - If one is a capable Lamdan, and chooses a career that compromises his Talmud Torah, I would definitely question the decision and consult a Talmid Hacham.

OTOH If one is not such a Lamdan or if one can learn "adequately" despite their career choice, then I would say "go for it"



"Furthermore, how are we supposed to fulfill our known obligation to be Torah-observant if we don't have adequate knowledge?"

RRW - Every Observant Jew needs a basic working knowledge of Judaism. I've been contemplating a basic Rabbinic literacy program for almost a decade.

Certainly mastery of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch or its equivalent is a sine qua non for Observing Halachah l'maaseh.


Shalom,
RRW