[net.religion.jewish] In re: ________ _____

abeles@mhuxm.UUCP (abeles) (02/28/85)

> I don't  deserve  to  be  a  "Subject:"  on  the  net,  but  it's
> encouraging  that  you want me to limit my articles.  I hope that
> Hashem will give me "fortitude", as  you  called  it,  to  expose
> anti-Orthodox prejudices, and fight misinformation. (Samet)

If you don't limit your articles, most people won't read them--
I was only trying to help.

> > ... I ask Yitzchok Samet the following public questions:
> >
> > 1.  Do you believe that right-wing Orthodox groups should
> > attempt to force religious observance upon the 80% of
> > Israeli society which is not religious? (Abeles)

I interpret his answer as a resounding "Yes!"  Does anyone take
issue here?

Vis a vis the minyan--I was in no way challenging Samet's frumkeit
(religiousness).  Pure overreaction and misinterpretation on his
part, actually.  I don't particularly appreciate his 
tone as of late, and that of his cronies.  I am not well-disposed
to apologize for what I didn't do.  Furthermore, since I personally
asked Samet to participate and received no recent response, I think it
reasonable to assume he had not responded.  For the record, our
minyan (which I was unabashedly key in starting) has
no gabbai, as discussed by us recently (thought Samet was not
present).  And finally, I wonder why he can't make the trip once--
it's only a ten-minute drive, and he did promise to me that he
would try it.  I'm sure a ride could be arranged if he doesn't
drive.

It is my long-term prediction that those who hold the view
lovingly embraced by Samet regarding "the forcing of religious
observance", etc., will go the way of the dinosaur.  HaShem,
it is my belief, will not give them the strength to survive.

However, since none of us may live long enough to find out,
the point is hard to prove.  Thus we should find a mutually
agreeable basis for discussion.  Samet demands others conform
totally to his point of view, making the latter impossible.
Samet may be right--for all I know he may even be the Messiah,
but until I have proof, I am skeptical.  For the last time
today, Yitzchok, try to distinguish between fact and belief
and you'll be a healthier person.

--J. Abeles