yiri@ucf-cs.UUCP (Yirmiyahu BenDavid) (10/21/84)
Mr. Brown's original inquiry, re Judaism and polygamy, had to be taken in the best context available at that time - his previous article re school prayer. Read in this context, his statement that 'I would say this is a pretty strong endorsement (in context) of monogomy' sounded more like the beginning of a new attack than a sincere inquiry. Read in the context of his latest submission however, that clearly seems the wrong interpretation. Perhaps Mr. Brown can see (even from his own earlier submission on school prayer) where we have learned to expect polemics and attack. It reminds me of a school bully who, day after day, pushes a small boy down and taunts him just for drill. One day the little boy fights back and hits the bully in the nose. The bully's response... "Well, you don't have to get upset about it". The idea being that polemics against Jews, including persecution and mass genocide seems to be fair play... but don't let us get uppity and polemicize Christianity. My point here, Mr. Brown, is that I think it is an oversimplification to attribute this to my hatred of false ideas 'spill[ing] all over the intellectual table we have spread before us' (but what a great metaphor!!!). There are three other points which Mr. Brown asserts with which I wholeheartedly and delightedly agree: 1) His 'honest question' (quotes are here for quoting, no sarcasm) did not deserve 'sneering contempt'. My failure to recognize his inquiriy as an 'honest question' is no excuse. I should not have ASS-U-MEd. (Horrors! I've made an ASS out of U and out of ME). Add to my previous apology (for the use of a ridiculing phrase) my apology for my lapse of discipline in ASS/U/ME-ing. I find it more reprehensible in myself since I hold myself more responsible. 2) There is NO justifiable reason to fear a reasonable answer. A reasonable answer is either turned against the answerer because the answerer is in error or there is error in the logic of 'turning the answer around'. (However, I have no fear of this on either grounds, so this criticism may not be entirely justified? - though I can see how I may have left that impression) 3) The impression that I left due to my misinterpretation of Mr. Brown's inquiry richly deserves his rebuke for my apparent lapse in ahavah (love), rakham (compassion), tzedek (justice), and khemlah (mercy). I will go further and ADD to his list khesed - kindness. It is a fact of life that Christians frequently polemicize Judaism in their attempt to convert us. Also, Christians frequently impose their values, traditions, rituals, etc. on us daily with no sensitivity for Jewish values and feelings. Consequently, I am often, no usually, forced to 'play hard ball' with them just to make my point (or get beaned by a pitch myself and all of the spectators then think the opponent won - a far worse evil). I deeply regret the occasions when I make a wild pitch and bean somebody. I assure you that a wild pitch from me is never deliberate. Yet, that doesn't stop it from hurting the one who got beaned. Well Mr. Brown, you only got beaned with words - and words I can retract, apologize for, etc. And I am doing so here as profusely as I know how. Some words hurt at least as much and are never retracted - such as the jeers in the schoolyard as brought out by another recent contributor. Surely you are aware that we have received far worse than mere words. Who will set that aright? And how? You asked me to teach you of love, compassion, justice and mercy. My response is a call for myself and others to read your submissions with a fresh outlook henceforth. I think they already do - they were the first to recognize and chide me for being unfair to you. So please don't blame 'Jews' for my personal lapses - 'Jews' were on your side because as you noted, such is the teaching of Torah regarding love, compassion, justice, mercy and kindness. Further, it is the teaching of Torah for fellow Jews to rebuke me when I'm wrong. Finally, I hope that my teaching is, above all, demonstrated through my action. For us, such teachings of Torah are a 'walk' through life. Though my lapse was only in the impression I left, nevertheless... I hope that even (or especially ?) the impressions I leave in the future are better reflections of Torah. Please accept my apologies and my encouragement to continue in your sincere quest for learning. If I can be of any help to you I will certainly do my best. I'm sure you will find that most of us share that sentiment.