Aug 27, 2010
at
9:46 AM
| Posted by
Rabbi Joshua
Today's Quote of the Day is a perfect follow-up to yesterday's post, The Promise and the Talmud:
"The Gemara is a never ending source of discovery, loaded wth legal discussions (often enough to make one's head spin), stories, lore, prophecy, discussions on Messiah and the end times, the esoteric realm, and much more.
Every day around the world Jews engage the Gemara, that is how it should be apporached, in an egaged fashion. Instead of just reading it and leaving it, the Gemara wants you to engage it, fight with it, and learn with it."
Posted In
Jewish life,
Quote of the Day,
Talmud
| |
Thanks for the link to the new blog. You have certainly inspired me. I just checked out some websites that offer daily readings. I think I'll sign up for daily emails from www.daf-yomi.org. From what I can tell, their notes make it pretty accessible. Shabbat shalom, Donna
Donna,
There are also some great introductory books out there to give some overview. Also, if you have never read through Pirkei Avot (can be found in most Siddurs), that is a great and easy place to start.
Ooh, I really like this quote and the previous post...
"...Gemara wants you to engage it, fight with it, and learn with it."
"...to engage ...and swim in the conversation..."
Right on. I think so many people miss this point... many are afraid to even dip their toes in...
Thanks for the post. It's inspiring!
Anonymous,
Thanks for commenting!
Reb. Josh
I so appreciate your approch to and interaction with the Talmud and gemara. Sadly many people avoid material and discussions that contaian challenging substance. There's not much room for growth confined in the "Comfort Zone". Also there are isssue some think is contemoraneous that were disscused ages ago. please indulge my analogy. When growing up in a L.A. beach community I spent a lot of time in the outer surf in the ocean. I learned to keep my eyes open under water. Not realy hard even in salt water. Under water, even under the surf was a world of sea life. Under the surf you stay down for a while before you come back up. Jelly-fish,different seaweeds,crustaceans. All of which I would have missed if not risking opening my eyes. Not far was an oil refinery and tankers off the coast. An occasional slick did'nt keep us out of the water. What I learned by witnessing that oil on beach, I could discern what was and was not true about the reporting of the Gulf Coast spill. It is not alwas comfortable to be fully engaged. But it is always rewarding to you and the world around you to fully engage in the challenge.