[net.religion.jewish] an Open Letter to Mark Tischler

mat@faron.UUCP (Michael A. Turniansky) (08/06/84)

							Av 8, 5744

	Well, I haven't written to this newsgroup in a long time, as I
haven't had anything to say (a policy I wish more on the net would follow).
But Mark, you've really gotten my ire up, so I'm going to respnd.  First,
let me preface my remarks by saying that I am a Conservative Jew, so these
may not represent the views of the Orthodoxy (or even the Conservative
movement, for that matter).

	Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of the original Ann Landers
message.  It apparently didn't (hasn't yet) made it to my site.  But I do
think I understand the gist of it.  However, I am replying to you, and not
the original article, so that shouldn't make much of a difference.

	First off, you state in your second article some irate statement to
the effect of "I just hope you don't have an [injury], and won't make a
phonecall on Saturday to save your life."  (paraphrasing entirely mine)
Well, that's of course patently ridiculous.  Nearly ALL Halakha is breakable
to save a human life, especially one's own.  Laws against working on the
Sabbath are (is?) one example.

	Now, as for answering the phone, there are ways around that, also.
My family and friends, at least, know that if they have to contact me for an
emergency (and it had better be one), that they ring once, hang up, then
call back.  I'll answer the second time.  This is standard practice for many
people I know.  Second, I'm usually away all day Saturday anyway (in
synagogue, or visiting), so they couldn't even reach me that way.  Third, I
do have call forwarding (tm of AT&T?), so I can and do forward my phone to
my Gentile friends on Saturday, especially if I think that there may be a
reason for someone to call me that particular day.  Fourth, as Harlan Braude
mentions, there is no real emergency reason for someone to call me,
especially since I live at least 5 hours drive from all my family, and I
would not be able to make a difference if (G-d forbid!) something does
happen to a family member, even if I was there, as I am not an MD.


	Phew!  That was steam-letting....have an easy fast to all on Tisha
B'Av.  By the way, I still have a copy of the Bozo Rebbe's speech, from
Simchat Torah, If anybody's interested.  Last chance.

                                --Mike