According to the Rambam, there are many mitzvos which were commanded in order to uproot idolatrous beliefs and practices. How do we find meaning in these today? Here are four answers.
On approach #3, I once heard from a reconstructionist rabbi - of all people - who theorized that the prohibition against meat and milk stems from a deeper philosophical and emotional tendency of the Torah to separate life from death, meat being death and milk being life. Once I heard this I couldn't stop seeing this idea everywhere in halacha: tummah and tahara (especially as in taharat hamishpacha), funerary and mourning halachot which strive to separate out death from life as soon as possible, etc. The general idea in all of these, as I believe described by the Rav in Halackhic Man in all of the passages where he discusses death, is to not bog down life with the dread of death but rather to live fully and unfettered. I realize that this might be at odds with aspects of stoic philosophy and would wonder what you think.
Also, you should know that your "leave a comment" and "share" buttons are broken and link back to other articles, most likely due to being copied from there! Thought you might want to know that.
Yes - if I recall correctly, this theory is also advanced by the (anti-reconstructionist?) Rav Hirsch. Definitely an interesting approach, and one which has the potential for the type of spiritual insights that the questioner sought.
Thank you SO much for bringing the "leave a comment" and "share" buttons to my attention! I had no idea, and spent some time last night updating ALL the articles from the summer. Unfortunately, there are still dozens of prior articles in the archives which suffer from the same problem, but better to realize this now than later!
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
I would venture to suggest that left unchecked theres something in the human psyche that is drawn to all this pagan and idolatrous ritual.
Same way we humans started off on the right path (per Rambams own history) and then somehow slowly deteriorated till we got to the point that we were neck deep in all this stuff, and needed to be (re)directed back onto the true path with the help of the Torah, no reason to think it cant happen again.
In this thinking the Torah laws aren't merely eternally binding, they also possess eternal relevance insofar as ensuring we are kept in check from slowly backsliding. Thanks to the Torahs spot-on laws we may currently be (somewhat) rehabilitated to the point that we may think they're antiquated, however, history tells another story.
Agreed! I would subsume that under my Approach #2 as a subdivision: (a) I'm sure there's something primitive lurking in the unconscious psyche which finds fulfillment in the PARTICULAR act of cooking milk and meat, and (b) the psychological appeal of doing something in GENERAL in an attempt to secure material success through some magical means. Both are subject to backsliding.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment! Shabbat shalom!
What do you make of the Rambams quick first statement of “ in addition to this being undoubtedly very heavy and filling food”? It’s almost as that’s the obvious and ikur reason and avoda zara is the side benefit of the mitzvah. Not a huge question but a funny way to write about the avodah zara ikur. As if he needed to provide a concrete reason before going into speculation .
I think this follows from his view of the reason for kashrus in general, namely, kedushah (i.e. transcending animalistic desires in our appetites). He discusses this in the 6th chapter of Shemoneh Perakim.
One obviously could argue that post the modern scientific revolution theres no going back to the good ole day however I don't know if that is nec. the case and not just hubris (theres evidence of extremely advanced civilizations in the distant past), plus look at how quickly our own society is becoming anti scientific . . aside from the whole denial of binary genders etc I saw some articles and studies recently claiming that paganism is on the rise and making a strong resurgence specifically in the scientifically enlightened (and increasingly Godless) western countries . .
I have an article in the works about someone I recently met who was a ::: checks notes ::: "Marian Christian." I asked him for more details, and he said:
"As for my spirituality, I grew up Catholic, but have identified myself as pagan more or less for the past fifteen years. My spirituality isn't affiliated with any particular church- I incorporate pagan rites and practices into my worship and rituals, as well as bits and pieces from a variety of spiritual traditions ... I don't consider myself Christian per se- though I have been going to services the past couple months at an Episcopal church. Throughout my entire life the one common link that has been present throughout my spiritual journey is veneration and adoration of Mary, The Blessed Mother. When I said I practice Marian Devotion that's what I was referring to. This obviously ties me to Christian theology in some ways but I pretty much take what feels right to me and leave all else behind. I do worship Mary as an equal to God the Father, which is what mainly sets me apart from typical Christian teaching, and makes me feel more at home within pagan practices."
I plan on writing an article comparing that with a Tweet I saw from some progressive Jew advocating a blessing beginning with "Brucha at Shekhina."
On approach #3, I once heard from a reconstructionist rabbi - of all people - who theorized that the prohibition against meat and milk stems from a deeper philosophical and emotional tendency of the Torah to separate life from death, meat being death and milk being life. Once I heard this I couldn't stop seeing this idea everywhere in halacha: tummah and tahara (especially as in taharat hamishpacha), funerary and mourning halachot which strive to separate out death from life as soon as possible, etc. The general idea in all of these, as I believe described by the Rav in Halackhic Man in all of the passages where he discusses death, is to not bog down life with the dread of death but rather to live fully and unfettered. I realize that this might be at odds with aspects of stoic philosophy and would wonder what you think.
Also, you should know that your "leave a comment" and "share" buttons are broken and link back to other articles, most likely due to being copied from there! Thought you might want to know that.
Yes - if I recall correctly, this theory is also advanced by the (anti-reconstructionist?) Rav Hirsch. Definitely an interesting approach, and one which has the potential for the type of spiritual insights that the questioner sought.
Thank you SO much for bringing the "leave a comment" and "share" buttons to my attention! I had no idea, and spent some time last night updating ALL the articles from the summer. Unfortunately, there are still dozens of prior articles in the archives which suffer from the same problem, but better to realize this now than later!
To quote Ronald Reagan
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
Interesting discussion.
I would venture to suggest that left unchecked theres something in the human psyche that is drawn to all this pagan and idolatrous ritual.
Same way we humans started off on the right path (per Rambams own history) and then somehow slowly deteriorated till we got to the point that we were neck deep in all this stuff, and needed to be (re)directed back onto the true path with the help of the Torah, no reason to think it cant happen again.
In this thinking the Torah laws aren't merely eternally binding, they also possess eternal relevance insofar as ensuring we are kept in check from slowly backsliding. Thanks to the Torahs spot-on laws we may currently be (somewhat) rehabilitated to the point that we may think they're antiquated, however, history tells another story.
Thanks for the thoughtful write-up.
Shabbat shalom
Agreed! I would subsume that under my Approach #2 as a subdivision: (a) I'm sure there's something primitive lurking in the unconscious psyche which finds fulfillment in the PARTICULAR act of cooking milk and meat, and (b) the psychological appeal of doing something in GENERAL in an attempt to secure material success through some magical means. Both are subject to backsliding.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment! Shabbat shalom!
What do you make of the Rambams quick first statement of “ in addition to this being undoubtedly very heavy and filling food”? It’s almost as that’s the obvious and ikur reason and avoda zara is the side benefit of the mitzvah. Not a huge question but a funny way to write about the avodah zara ikur. As if he needed to provide a concrete reason before going into speculation .
I think this follows from his view of the reason for kashrus in general, namely, kedushah (i.e. transcending animalistic desires in our appetites). He discusses this in the 6th chapter of Shemoneh Perakim.
One obviously could argue that post the modern scientific revolution theres no going back to the good ole day however I don't know if that is nec. the case and not just hubris (theres evidence of extremely advanced civilizations in the distant past), plus look at how quickly our own society is becoming anti scientific . . aside from the whole denial of binary genders etc I saw some articles and studies recently claiming that paganism is on the rise and making a strong resurgence specifically in the scientifically enlightened (and increasingly Godless) western countries . .
I have an article in the works about someone I recently met who was a ::: checks notes ::: "Marian Christian." I asked him for more details, and he said:
"As for my spirituality, I grew up Catholic, but have identified myself as pagan more or less for the past fifteen years. My spirituality isn't affiliated with any particular church- I incorporate pagan rites and practices into my worship and rituals, as well as bits and pieces from a variety of spiritual traditions ... I don't consider myself Christian per se- though I have been going to services the past couple months at an Episcopal church. Throughout my entire life the one common link that has been present throughout my spiritual journey is veneration and adoration of Mary, The Blessed Mother. When I said I practice Marian Devotion that's what I was referring to. This obviously ties me to Christian theology in some ways but I pretty much take what feels right to me and leave all else behind. I do worship Mary as an equal to God the Father, which is what mainly sets me apart from typical Christian teaching, and makes me feel more at home within pagan practices."
I plan on writing an article comparing that with a Tweet I saw from some progressive Jew advocating a blessing beginning with "Brucha at Shekhina."
Fascinating (re the marian dude). Guess the l'shem yichud isnt doing the trick for the yidele 😅